Dear Members and Friends of First Church,

As we move into the fall/winter season here in Southwest Florida, I look forward eagerly to seeing many of you who have spent part or all of your summer elsewhere. I hope you are healthy, refreshed from travels and time with family and friends, and ready to once again experience the unique lifestyle that our area offers. And most important, I hope you will participate again in the many opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and service provided here at First Church.

Our congregation has become known as a place for the residents of Southwest Florida to hear prominent Christian guest speakers. There will be at least four such opportunities this season. Here are the ones we have currently scheduled, in chronological order. All four of these programs are free and open to the public. The final two events will be both live in our Sanctuary and livestreamed for the entire church family.

Andre Dawson, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame after an incredible major league career with Montreal and Chicago, will share his faith on Monday, November 1.

ABC News correspondent and anchor Paula Faris will speak about integrating her faith with her career in journalism on Monday, November 8.

Judge Kenneth Starr, former special prosecutor, former dean of Pepperdine Law School, and President of Baylor University, will speak about his new book, Religious Liberty in Crisis, on Tuesday, February 1.

Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will speak about her experiences at the highest level of government on Monday, March 7.

The Session of First Church has made a formal request to our congregation’s regional governing body, Peace River Presbytery, to approve a change in our pastoral leadership structure. We are proposing that Pastor Brad Rogers, currently an Associate Pastor, be elevated (beginning March 1, 2022) to the role of Co-Pastor to serve in an equal position with me. The Presbytery meeting is Thursday, October 14. I am asking our entire congregation to pray that this proposal will be approved. If the way is clear, we anticipate asking our church members to ratify this change at our annual congregational meeting, scheduled for Sunday, November 14. I am excited about the opportunity to serve alongside Brad in this new relationship. His gifts for ministry and professional growth have become apparent to all of us, and the elders were unanimous in their support.

And finally, an invitation to those of you who love to travel. We have a few spaces open for an amazing trip in July 2022. Our congregation has booked an entire riverboat for a cruise on the Danube River, which will begin by attending the historic and world-famous “Passion Play” in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau. This trip was postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. My wife Jeanne and I, with Pastor Steven and Nanette Grant, would be pleased to share this 10-day experience with you. You can call the church office for the details.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Doug Pratt