I am humbled and honored to be called by the Elder Board of Westview to serve as your Interim Pastor.

What exactly is an interim pastor?  Webster describes interim as “on or for the intervening time period.”  So, I am serving as our pastor until Westview calls a new pastor.  In that time I will be speaking most weekends, sharing the pastoral care with Pastor Susan, participating in the Leadership Team, advising the Search Committee and overall preparing Westview to call a new pastor.

Over the coming months we will have lots of opportunities to get to know one another.  I ask that you please take a minute and introduce yourself and help me to remember your name!

A few things about me:

I am happily married to Jodi and to that union has been brought two daughters: Chelsea (20) at UNI studying Theater Performance and Lindsey (18) at Drake studying Vocal Performance and Education. Yes they’re born for the stage and I love it!

Jodi has just come through a two year season of terrible health and is now on a rapid rebound. For this we are very grateful!  Once you get to know her you will learn she can sew, knit, crochet or otherwise make just about anything.

I was born and raised in Des Moines…went to Valley. Grew up attending church. Attended Open Bible College, Regent University, Fuller Theological Seminary and the University of Edinburgh.

The Lord has been pleased to use me as a pastor, missionary, church planter, seminary professor, denominational executive, consultant, coach and now lead a ministry called the Missional Transformation Network.

Since I travel a great deal the opportunity to be home more is wonderful…thank you Westview!

In my spare time I enjoy running (try to get in a marathon every year), reading (I’m a serious history geek), play the guitar and like working with my hands around the house etc. If you haven’t already joined my facebook it’s a great way to get connected.

For now please pray that our Heavenly Father be glorified in all I say and do, for the Holy Spirit to empower Pastor Susan and myself to lead and serve well and for Jesus Christ to be evident in every aspect of Westview Church!

See you Sunday!!

With much love and appreciation,

Tom

Tom’s email is Tom@westview.org, and he plans to have office hours on Wednesday’s.

As most of you know, Pastor Jay and his family are leaving Westview Church and moving to Portland, Oregon to begin a ministry in that very unchurched part of this country.
Their Farewell Service at Westview will be on July 25. Following the service will be a brunch.  You are all welcome and encouraged to attend as we remember and celebrate their ministry among us and send them off to their new ministry in Oregon.

In order to adequately prepare for the brunch, we would love to have an idea of attendance.  If you are planning to attend on the 25th, please reply to Gina Higbee at 229-9051 or ginaiowagirl@aol.com.

We look forward to having you join us in giving thanks to God for the Brabands and their ministry among us!   — In Christ, Pastor Susan Watson and the Planning Committee

Wow!  The end is near for Barb and me at Westview!  It’s hard to believe that our 17 plus years with this great church will soon come to an end.  Our last Sunday with you will be July 25.  We will miss you all terribly, but we know that God had great things in store for this great church! Check out www.Journey3.org <http://www.journey3.org/>  for more information on what we will be doing in Portland, Oregon.

Would you pray with us about a couple of crucial things as we work on making the move to Portland?

Please pray that we find a buyer for our house.  We have had several people look at our house and we are waiting for a good offer.

Please pray for me as I raise the needed support for the new ministry I am called to start in Portland. I have attached a copy of the strategic plan that gives some explanation of what I believe God is calling me to do.  Unlike 17 years ago, when we began Westview, I don’t have a classis behind me providing the needed income for this new church start.  City Classis will be my supporting classis, but they don’t have the resources to fund this ministry, so I am working at raising the support I need.  Please pray that God will provide through interested individuals and churches.

Thank you for blessing Barb and me and our boys in so many ways over the last 17 years!  We look forward to watching what God does through you in the days and years to come!

Tom Clegg chosen to be our Interim Pastor!
We had a couple of great candidates to choose from.  The Elder Board has asked Tom Clegg to serve as our interim pastor beginning August 1.  Tom will be preaching most Sundays and will be advising the Elder Board and the Search Team.  Tom is known to many of us as a trusted consultant and coach.  He has worked with many churches and has served as an interim pastor twice.

Westview Church has a Community Garden on the eastern edge of our property.  Food raised there is given to the Food Pantry.  If you are interested in adopting a plot or just helping out when you can, please contact Angie Schmitt at 267-1426

Next Elder Board Update – Sunday, April 25
The Elder Board will be having its next congregational update on April 25 between worship services at 10 AM.  We will meet in the worship space to discuss our transition and the next phase of our church life.  There will be time for questions and answers.  Please plan to attend!

During Lent you will receive an email devotion written by a Westview attendee.  Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Easter, a different Westview person will share with us a meaningful scripture and a brief commentary on the passage.  I hope this spurs us on in our own bible reading and prayer life.

Contact US to get on email list!

High Seas Vacation Bible School June 13-17 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Ahoy, mateys!! The High Seas will be rolling into Westview Church on Sunday, June 13, so plan to join us for some VBS fun!!! Please mark these dates and times on your calendars: June 13-17 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. VBS is open to children ages 4 through 5th grade. Registration will occur in April either on our website or via paper copies available on the Welcome Center. We will need lots of rotational Crew Leaders again this summer, so please contact Tyra at to volunteer! Come experience the deep rolling waters of God’s love in June! Click here if you would rather Download Form and bring or mail to Church. Otherwise feel free to register below via the on-line form.

You may pay via paypal at www.westview.org/donate

cforms contact form by delicious:days

An old hymn that we sang in church when I was just a little fella went something like this, “There is power, power, wonderworking power, in the blood of the Lamb”. There is power, and that power is tied to the blood of the lamb. Sounds mysterious and messy doesn’t it? But the blood is shorthand for the death of Jesus, which is shorthand for the purpose of Jesus to give himself sacrificially for the world. And Jesus tells us, in Acts chapter 1, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”. There is power. But the wonderworking power of Jesus is tied to the purpose of Jesus for our lives. I am to be a witness for Jesus. Do I lack power in life? Well, am I a witness?