3.31.2026
Dear Church Family,
This week Bro. Merlin announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry. We have been incredibly blessed by his faithfulness to the Lord and his faithfulness to this Church. For almost 27 years, Bro. Merlin has labored to shepherd and equip those in our 55+ ministry. In that course of time, he has been present for many milestones in the life of Parkview Baptist Church. I am thankful that even though he is retiring from full-time ministry, he still desires to continue teaching for as long as the Lord gives him the grace to do so.
I know that many of you are wondering what the next steps are for our 55+ ministry and what Bro. Merlin will continue to be involved in as 55+ Pastor Emeritus. I will be working with Bro. Merlin, our Personnel Committee and Leadership over the next couple of weeks to define the specifics of those next steps. Please be assured we will inform you as soon as the details are in view. Bro. Merlin’s official date for this transition is May 1st, 2026. This will allow him to have reached his 27th year in service here and his 66th year in vocational ministry.
We will have a reception on April 26th in the Mission Café between our services that morning. We would love for you to bring cards expressing your gratitude to Bro. Merlin. We will also have cards available on that morning.
We're also putting together a tribute video and want to include your memories. Follow this link for instructions. Submit by April 20th.
Please be on the lookout for other ways that you will be able to participate in our expressions of appreciation for Bro. Merlin leading up to that day. I continue to reflect on the ways that the Lord has been faithful to us here at Parkview Baptist Church. Thinking of Merlin’s faithful service is just another line in the list of the ways God has been faithful to us. I look forward to continuing to see the ways he makes that known.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chris
This week Bro. Merlin announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry. We have been incredibly blessed by his faithfulness to the Lord and his faithfulness to this Church. For almost 27 years, Bro. Merlin has labored to shepherd and equip those in our 55+ ministry. In that course of time, he has been present for many milestones in the life of Parkview Baptist Church. I am thankful that even though he is retiring from full-time ministry, he still desires to continue teaching for as long as the Lord gives him the grace to do so.
I know that many of you are wondering what the next steps are for our 55+ ministry and what Bro. Merlin will continue to be involved in as 55+ Pastor Emeritus. I will be working with Bro. Merlin, our Personnel Committee and Leadership over the next couple of weeks to define the specifics of those next steps. Please be assured we will inform you as soon as the details are in view. Bro. Merlin’s official date for this transition is May 1st, 2026. This will allow him to have reached his 27th year in service here and his 66th year in vocational ministry.
We will have a reception on April 26th in the Mission Café between our services that morning. We would love for you to bring cards expressing your gratitude to Bro. Merlin. We will also have cards available on that morning.
We're also putting together a tribute video and want to include your memories. Follow this link for instructions. Submit by April 20th.
Please be on the lookout for other ways that you will be able to participate in our expressions of appreciation for Bro. Merlin leading up to that day. I continue to reflect on the ways that the Lord has been faithful to us here at Parkview Baptist Church. Thinking of Merlin’s faithful service is just another line in the list of the ways God has been faithful to us. I look forward to continuing to see the ways he makes that known.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chris