For almost 12 years I have been the associate pastor for students and young adults at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN. Since the first day my wife and I drove to the church in January of 2000 to interview with the church committee, we fell in love with the church and the community and have felt called to minister to it. Mount Olive welcomed us with open arms and has played a key role in helping us to raise our two children. Both our kids love going to church, they love their teachers and they love their church family.
I have been privileged to be able to minister to hundreds of great students and young adults over the last 11+ years. Not many youth ministers can say they have been at the same church for as long as I have and I have had the privilege of seeing students become “passionate, contagious, and lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.” I have seen students be a part of our ministry from 6th grade to college graduation and beyond. I have officiated weddings, preached at ordinations and sent missionaries – all former students. Some of my former students are church planters, youth pastors, teachers, nurses, missionaries, fathers, mothers, husbands and wives. It’s been a blast!
The wonderful time we’ve had at Mount Olive only makes our recent decision the more difficult. This past Sunday, I resigned from my position at Mt. Olive. When God called me to full time ministry at the age of 16, I knew then that I would be a pastor. Over the last couple of years, God has been telling me that it was time for me to take a step of faith and begin to process of starting to pursue that call. At first, I resisted God’s voice. But lately, God’s voice has gotten louder and louder… and harder to ignore.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been doing a series of talks on the Gospel of Mark with our students and we have been studying how often the word “immediately” is used throughout Mark’s gospel. In one of the lessons I taught, we talked that followers of Jesus must be attentive to the call of God in their lives and whenever Jesus calls, they must obey it immediately and completely. I have been preaching everything that God has been teaching me over the last few months as I have prayed and searched for God’s will and direction for my ministry and my family.
God is calling us to a new journey of faith. I don’t know exactly where He will lead us but I am so excited about it. God hasn’t told me all the steps of this journey… just the first one. So I’m taking it, trusting that God will keep showing me each step of this new journey.
We want you to join us in this journey. We will still be in the South Knoxville community that we have called home for almost 12 years. We still feel called to minister in this community that we fell in love with back in 2000. I will post new updates about what God is doing in and through us in this blog, so keep checking it, keep praying for us and keep in touch.
The name of this blog is also significant. It’s called The Open House because when we moved into our house we wanted it to always be open and welcoming to our neighbors and friends. We wanted it to be a place where we could share our lives and share our faith. That is still our desire and very much a part of our future plan. Our house is always open and for those of you who know where we live, we would love for you to come by and say hello.
So keep in touch and keep us in your prayers. Stop by and say hello. The door is open… come on in!
Cesar.
Cesar– I well remember those first conversations we had with you by conference call– and then the process of meeting with you and Deb for the first time. In all the years and staff moves since, I have never been more convinced that God led us to the right man at the right time. But even I am amazed at the depth and fruit of your steady ministry at MOBC over the past dozen years. You have done it right– with relationships, one-on-one discipling, transparency, integrity, Biblical foundations and global vision. I’m so proud of what the Lord has done through you, but even more proud if the man you have become. Thanks for your encouragement to Drew– he’s back serving as youth pastor at the church we were in before we came to Knoxviile. Full circle!! I’ll be praying for you, my friend. All our love to you, Deb and the kids… grace and Merry Christmas!!… David Head
Cesar – I too remember the meeting that we (the committee) had with you and Deb where God made it so clear that you were the right man for that position. I remember walking thru the parking lot and reflecting on such a worshipful ‘interview.’ Thank you for your leadership, friendship and the many sacrifices you have made for our church and our youth. It has been a privilege to serve and worship with you and your family. I pray that God will clearly guide you to his next plan for you and bless you and your family abundantly! Angie (and the other 4 Bushes!)
ler tudo isso me deixa feliz por saber que Deus tem reservado um novo tempo pra vcs… que esse novo tempo seja repleto da Sua graça, sabedoria, provisão e, acima de tudo, que vcs estejam buscando obedecê-Lo sem temer, mesmo que seja necessário renunciar o q mais amam. Que a palavra de Jeremias 29:11 possa ser relembrada a cada momento bem como a de Salmos 62. Amo vcs!!!! mal espero pra revê-los em Janeiro. Much love
The only search committee I was blessed to be a part of was the one led to you!! David Head is absolutely right in saying “I have never been more convinced that God led us to the right man at the right time” and I totally agree! The meeting with you that day was a mountain top experience for me. I was able to go with you and Deb on your first mission trip with our youth to South Carolina. . . you and Deb celebrated, I believe, your third wedding anniversary on that trip! When you interviewed, you stated you would like to see your sixth grade students graduate high school…and you have! That touched me. You performed weddings for both Erin & Patrick and have baptized my Kaleb!! I got to go to “grandparents’ night” at your and Deb’s first parenting class as a sub! You and your family ARE family to me. Your ministry here at Mt. Olive has touched so many youth and helped guide them into adulthood! Thank you for your obedience to God and your love and devotion to our youth. As you embark on this next journey of obedience to God and step out in faith, know you are always in my prayers and my door, too, is always open to you and yours. With much love and gratitude, Wanda
Cesar, you and your sweet family will be in my prayers for God’s guidance and direction for your future. You are an amazing man of God and it is a privilege to know you. The love and care you have shown to Cara and Matt will never be forgotten. God has great plans for you. You’re the best!!!