Learn about the search process for our next senior pastor and how you can come alongside in prayer through this season.
Stay informed by checking this page regularly, and by subscribing to the weekly Woodway News email.
Church Family,
The Pastor Search Committee appreciates everyone’s interest and support as we continue this important process. To ensure clarity, here are a few points we’d like to share:
- Where We Have Been | Over the past four months, our team focused on prayer and listening to staff, leaders, and members. Your input helped us create a Lead Pastor job description and roadmap for the search and interview process. In May, applications and recommendations started while we created the processes to properly vet candidates. We also confirmed protocols for communication with candidates that reflect well on our church and preserve their confidentiality.
- Where We Are Now | Our current task involves careful review, prayer, and sifting through candidates. This means no final decisions have been made. We are simply learning about candidates, discerning together, and listening for God’s direction.
- Why This Part Is Confidential | During this stage, we are handling private information about candidates who are currently serving other congregations. Out of respect for them, their families, and their churches, we will not be sharing names or details at this time. This is standard practice in pastoral searches and helps protect everyone involved.
- How Long It May Take | This part of the process does not follow a set timeline. It could move quickly or take longer as we seek clarity and unity. We will keep you updated as we are able, but please understand that you may not hear anything new from us for some period, but that does not mean there is a problem.
- What to Expect If You Ask | If you see a committee member and ask for an update, you may hear a simple response like, “We are on track and in a good place.” This is not meant to be dismissive – it is the best way to protect confidentiality and honor the process.
- How You Can Help | The most important thing the congregation can do right now is pray consistently. We invite you to join us in daily prayer at 12:12 pm and to ask for wisdom, unity, and discernment for the committee, our church family, and the pastor God is preparing. We know this season requires patience, trust, and faith.
Thank you for walking through it together with us as one unified body of believers. If you ever have questions about the process itself (not specific candidates), please feel free to contact Jake Roye or our church office.
In Christ’s love,
Jake Roye
Chairman of First Woodway Pastor Search Committee
“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.
