Pastor Search Update
Announcing a Candidate in View of a Call

JANUARY 25, 2026

Our Pastor Search Committee scheduled an important announcement during the Sunday morning live stream, and we want to make sure everyone hears it. Watch the video update given  this morning by Search Team Vice Chair, Jeremy Webb, and then read the announcement from the search team below.

Pastor Search Committee Announcement

January 25, 2026

After many months of your continued prayer, fasting, and encouragement, the Pastor Search Committee is thrilled to announce some exciting news. With great joy and gratitude, we are ready to recommend a new pastor for First Woodway!

According to First Woodway’s bylaws, we must inform the church two weeks in advance of a candidate coming in “View of a Call.” (For those of you unfamiliar with this term, this simply refers to the Sunday in which we hear from the potential pastor and vote as a body whether or not to affirm the pastor search committee’s recommendation).  As a result, the pastor whom we are recommending will be preaching at First Wooday on Sunday, February 8, 2026. At the end of both services, all members present will have the opportunity to vote to affirm or deny the recommendation.

We would like nothing better than to be able to announce the recommended pastor’s name to you, but that will have to wait for one more week. As you can imagine, this pastor has a church currently, and it is important for him to inform them of his coming to our church in view of a call. After consulting with him, this will not take place until February 1st. As a result, we will announce his name with great joy the minute we are able to; this will be the evening of Sunday, February 1st.

Celebrate this step of the process with us as we look forward with great anticipation to releasing more information to you very soon.

We are deeply grateful to all of you and our wonderful staff for the amazing support, patience and work for the Kingdom during this year of transition. We believe God is answering, and the finish line is in sight!

-FW Pastor Search Team

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
We are entering a fresh season of prayer and consecration in search of our next pastor. As a church family, we are setting a daily reminder for 12:12 pm to take a moment to pray as the Spirit guides us. Would you be faithful to lift up the Search Team, our church family, the staff, and the pastor God is preparing for us? Our desire is to draw nearer to Him, seeking His guidance as we faithfully follow Him.

For Paul and Linda, Lord, we ask …
– That the peace of your presence would sustain them as they “finish well”
– For the grace to hear Your voice say, “Well done, my good and faithful servants”
– To fill their hearts with a spirit of hope and excitement as they prepare to enter a new season of life together

For First Woodway Staff, Lord, we ask …
– To unite their hearts together with a peace that surpasses understanding
– For the grace to be a non-anxious presence as they continue to serve faithfully
– For an unshakable and hope-filled trust in your sovereign guidance

For the church family, Lord, we ask …
– That we would soak this entire season in prayer
– To keep the enemy and his schemes of division and fear far from our hearts
– To direct the gaze of our hearts toward you, uniting us with faith, hope, and love

For the Search Team, Lord, we ask …
– To draw individuals who will seek your will above all else
– For your spiritual covering over them and their families in the season to come
– That you would attune their hearts to your Spirit that they might prayerfully discern your voice

For our next Pastor, Lord, we ask …
– That even now, you begin preparing his heart for this call
– That you would protect him, his marriage, and his family throughout this discernment process
– That upon accepting your call, he would lead with a servant’s heart, reflecting your humility, love, and wisdom

Meet our Pastor Search Team! As we move forward, we are trusting in the Lord’s sovereignty over every step of this process. We encourage you to keep each member of this team in your prayers, lifting them up regularly as they embark on this important journey in the months ahead. If you have any questions or comments for the Pastor Search Committee, please submit them via the button below.

RODNEY BOWDEN
RODNEY BOWDENSearch Team Member
NANCY PURDY
NANCY PURDYSearch Team Member
SUSAN WOMMACK
SUSAN WOMMACKSearch Team Member
VICKI LASSITER
VICKI LASSITERSearch Team Member
JAKE ROYE
JAKE ROYESearch Team Member
TOM LINDSEY
TOM LINDSEYAlternate
DAVID MYERS
DAVID MYERSSearch Team Member
JEREMY WEBB
JEREMY WEBBSearch Team Member
KIM SCOTT
KIM SCOTTAlternate