Informational Letter

The letter below was distributed to the congregation last Sunday (August 17th) in order to provide information regarding how God has been working in our church over the course of the last 19 months. This Sunday (August 24th) we will be voting on extending pastor Jeff beyond the original "interim" time period. We are trusting that God will continue to work through both Jeff and I for His glory and the good of His people. I will be posting the proposed motion very soon. Have a great day!



To the congregation of Summit Lake Community Church,

This letter is to summarize the events that have taken place at Summit Lake Community Church over the course of the last 19 months and to provide information regarding the proposal that will be presented to the congregation on August 24th, 2008. In September 2006 I accepted the offer of Summit Lake Church to become their pastor. This offer was presented by the church after praying, researching and deliberating for over 6 months. The job was accepted with the understanding that deployment overseas was very likely. Due to the needs of Summit Lake Community church and impending deployment overseas The Master’s Seminary agreed to allow me to leave the graduate program prior to completing all of the required courses. An agreement was made to allow me to finish the course work via distance learning.

On January 1st, 2007 I assumed the role as pastor of Summit Lake Community Church. March marked the month in which I was officially notified that I would be activated into full-time service with the military in support of the Global war on terrorism. The leadership of the church worked proactively to prepare for this possibility. Through much prayer, discussion and research the church agreed to offer Jeff Pierce a position as the interim pastor of Summit Lake Church for the duration of my full-time service with the Army. In July 2007, Jeff Pierce assumed the role as interim pastor of Summit Lake Church and I was activated into full-time service by the Army in support of the Global War on terrorism.

I returned in June 2008 from serving as a Chaplain for the Army at Camp Buehring Kuwait. I continued to be employed as a full-time chaplain with the Army through July 29th 2008. My responsibilities as a chaplain continue from July 30th to September 30 in the “post-deployment” phase of activation with the Army. During this time I continue to function as a chaplain while integrating back into my role as pastor of Summit Lake Church. Also during this time, I have been afforded the opportunity to complete the graduate studies that were postponed after accepting the position at Summit Lake Community Church and being activated by the Army. I will complete my required course work no later than September 30th.

God has incredibly blessed His ministry at Summit Lake Community Church through both spiritual and physical growth. God has established a focus on Christ-centered, Bible-based teaching, preaching and counseling. He has also sent over 19 new families representing approximately 68 people. The congregation now consists of about 140 people including children. All of this has happened in the midst of what could be perceived as a time of uncertainty in our church due to the Army deployment and the employment of an interim pastor. God works in amazing ways. Scripture declares, “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

God is indeed in control of His church. It is with that understanding that I acknowledge that God has continued to pour out His grace on us through the teaching, preaching, and shepherding ministry of Jeff Pierce. Through much prayer and discussion I believe that it would be spiritually beneficial to our church to keep Jeff as a pastor at SLCC to work alongside myself toward the spiritual maturity of this flock, the continued proclamation of the Gospel in our community and the building up of the spiritual foundation of our church. Maintaining the current daily operation of our church can be accomplished by one person, but establishing the biblical foundation and implementing additional, essential aspects of ministry is going to require hard, loving labor by many.

We have been prayerfully considering how this can be done due to the current financial situation of our church. Two weeks ago I was offered an unsolicited temporary position as a full-time chaplain with the Washington Army National Guard. This temporary chaplain position is directed at serving soldiers and families of soldiers in the South Sound region who have served in support of the Global War on terrorism providing the opportunity to minister to many who are unsaved and unchurched. The position is based out of Camp Murray which is less than 35 miles from Summit Lake Community Church. Accepting this temporary position would allow both Jeff and I to combine efforts while serving as pastor’s at SLCC. SLCC would have my leadership and participation as Pastor at no salary cost to the Church, other than a few expenses such as a cell phone to maintain contact with SLCC members.

My duties as a temporary chaplain would enable me to minister to both saved and unsaved people who live in our local community, the fruit of which could be the salvation of some and their commitment to our local body. Although my time commitment would be reduced temporarily, my potential employer has assured me that I would be afforded flexibility during the week to continue to serve as pastor of SLCC. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity for our church. Additional information will be distributed via email this week prior to the congregational meeting and vote on 24 August. Please contact me or any council member if you have any questions or would like further clarification.

In the service of the King,

Pastor Don Brewer
(360) 915-6903
Donald.c.brewer@us.army.mil