Ordination of Tyler Lewis
On Sunday Evening, June 21, 2024, Grace Fellowship Church held an Ordination Service for our very own, Tyler Lewis, who has been serving as our Children and Youth Department Director, and now, is officially our Children and Youth Department’s Pastor, and we are blessed to have him.
The evening began with a close friend of Tyler’s from their college days, above, leading some of Tyler’s favorite inspirational and praise songs.
Pastor Dan presented a message that shed some light on what being a Pastor requires and means, and what Tyler can expect from the congregation. Pastor Dan also shared: 1 Timothy 3:1-5: “If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, (one who oversees a local congregation), he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone doesn not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?). — NIV Pastor Dan also mentioned that Paul asked people to pray for him. He asked for prayer 5 times in scripture. Therefore, Pastor Dan said it is the congregation’s responsibility to pray for Tyler.
The gentleman above, is Pastor Scott Cantner from the church in Baltimore, that Tyler used to attend. Pastor Scott shared the following scriptures: Titus 1:6-9: An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless–not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (NIV) Matthew 9:31-39: But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (NIV) John 20:19-23: On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (NIV) 2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (NIV) Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (NIV)
Upon the speakers’ conclusion, Pastor Dan asked Tyler to kneel, and Pastors Dan and Scott, and the elders of Grace Fellowship Church gathered around Tyler and prayed for Tyler and his ministry.
Finally, Pastor Dan presented Tyler with a Bible with his name inscribed near the bottom of it.
This touching, inspiring Ordination service was followed by a time of food and fellowship.
Congratulations, Pastor Tyler! We are blessed to have you as part of Grace Fellowship Church!