Written by Dr. Lewis Brogdon | May 24, 2026
Jeremiah 3:15 is one of my favorite scriptures. It says, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” This verse captures a lot of what I am privileged to do as interim pastor at Crescent Hill. One of my primary responsibilities is the ministry of preaching and teaching, which I believe stands at the heart of congregational life. Preparing sermons, Bible studies, and other teaching opportunities typically involves 15 to 20 hours each week of study, prayer, research, and reflection. I take this responsibility seriously because I believe preaching and teaching help shape the spiritual life and work of the church.
Another important aspect of my role is supporting and coordinating the staff and volunteers who help sustain the day-to-day life of the church. Ministry is always a collaborative effort, and I really enjoy working with staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers to help plan worship, organize programs and activities, address challenges, and support the many forms of ministry taking place throughout the week.
Pastoral care and presence are also deeply important to me. I need to be available to support church members, regular attendees, and visitors who are exploring the life of our congregation. Some of the most meaningful moments in ministry happen in simple conversations over coffee or a meal, or in times of prayer and listening. Creating space for people to share their joys, struggles, questions, and hopes is an important part of pastoral ministry.
Representing the church in the broader community as a pastoral and theological leader is also an important part of my work. We are living through a complex and rapidly changing moment for both the church and society, and I believe it is important for congregations like Crescent Hill Baptist Church to have a thoughtful, compassionate, and engaged public witness rooted in the teachings of Jesus. All of this ministry is made possible through the generous support of the members of Crescent Hill Baptist Church. Thank you for your faithfulness, support, and partnership in this work.
Crescent Hill Baptist Church is already sustained by an extraordinarily generous congregation. Because of your faithful support, our church continues to worship, serve our community, advocate for justice, and provide a welcoming spiritual home for all. At the same time, we are facing the financial realities affecting many organizations today. Over the past several years, the cost of operating and maintaining the church has steadily increased, including expenses related to energy, insurance, and building maintenance. As a result, we are currently projecting a deficit of $68,985 for our 2026 budget between our expected income and budgeted expenses.
In response, we are launching the Close the Gap Campaign, a four week effort to pledge to bridge that
difference and ensure that Crescent Hill Baptist Church can continue its ministry and mission with strength and stability. Throughout the campaign, you will hear reflections from church staff about the meaningful work
happening through our congregation that your support makes possible. You will receive pledge cards inviting you to consider an additional gift beyond your regularly planned giving during this calendar year. You may
choose whether or not to include your name on the pledge card. Completed cards may be placed in the offering plate or returned to the church office. You may also scan the above QR code to submit a digital pledge card to the church office.
Each week, the thermometer displayed above will track our collective progress toward closing the gap between projected expenses and income for 2026. Every gift, no matter the size, helps sustain the ministries, relationships, and justice-centered witness of our church community.
Lewis Brogdon serves as interim pastor here at Crescent Hill Baptist Church. He is the newly appointed executive director of Just Faith Ministries.
