An End and a New Beginning: A Letter from Tim Capon

Pastors, Churches & Ministry Partners,

Sunday, May 31, was my last day of serving our churches as your IARBC State Representative. God has allowed me to serve Him in that way for 12 years, starting in May of 2014.  

I will stay on half time for the month of June to continue to assist in the transition. But today, Will Hatfield, former lead pastor at CrossRoad Baptist Church in Ames, will assume his new responsibilities as your next IARBC State Representative. I am excited for him, his wife Amy, their family, and our churches as I believe that God has set him apart for this ministry, and has equipped him to serve well for this next chapter in the life of our IARBC family of churches. I encourage you to pray for him, to welcome him, and to invite him to come and speak at your church as God would so lead. You can connect with him through email by clicking here.

In reflecting on these past 12 years as your IARBC SR, I can only begin by praising the Lord for the privilege of allowing Sandy and I to serve Him in this way...

- God faithfully kept us safe during the thousands of miles driven.

- He gave us many open doors for ministry with pastors, people and ministry partners.

- He encouraged us through His Word and through His people.

- He strengthened relationships all around the state.

- He worked to help many churches reclaim a Great Commission focus of making disciples.

- Including a renewed love and burden for lost people who need Christ.

- He worked in so many ways to sense a need for healthy churches.

- He awakened us to the need to grow our care for one another in tangible ways.

- He sovereignly directed 79 men to churches seeking a new lead/solo pastor.

- He graciously gave all of us many meaningful and helpful ministry events.

- He richly blessed by providing for the financial needs of our state fellowship.

- He expanded our network of ministry partners and knit our hearts together.

- And blessed us with godly, competent people who have served well, including the

Council of 10, financial consultants, graphic designers, web and tech consultants,

and Administrative Assistants.

And speaking of those who have served our churches with me as  IARBC Administrative Assistants, I would be remiss to not mention that Becky Holub helped me get started 12 years ago. I could not have even started without her. Brenna Capon took over after Becky and her husband Jeff moved to Michigan. Brenna then handed it off to Sadie Hatting, a member of Anchor Baptist Church (and our home church). She continues to serve in that capacity (and will continue in that capacity for the time being). All three of these ladies have done an amazing job. Competent, creative, conscientious. Super efficient and delightful to work with. I thank God for all three of them.

With a grateful heart, I thank the Lord for His hand of blessing for what He has done and is doing in and through our family of churches.

For Sandy and I moving into this next season of life? 

We will always remember how much we loved what we did, especially the many connections with pastors, people and ministry partners. But it is time to move on and we are OK with that. Time to steward a new season of life for God's glory. We are sure He will surprise us as to what He has for us, and all of what we have planned early on is subject to His will (James 4:13-17). But it is good to have a plan, and then commit it to the Lord…

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

(Proverbs 16:9)

So this is the plan as we enter this new season of life…

- I have resigned from the C-18, and another pastor will serve the final year of my term.

- I have also resigned from the Men for Christ Board.

- I plan to stay on the Board of Directors of FBBC & TS.

- I will stay on the Pulpit Supply List (IARBC) and will be open to speak as God directs.

- We will continue to live in Ankeny. All of our kids live near us and that is a great blessing.

- We will continue as members of Anchor Baptist Church in Des Moines.

- We plan to stay active as God allows, including biking, kayaking, hunting, and camping.

- And perhaps some more intentional and regular exercise.

- We want to continue to fish for men, sharing Christ wherever God leads.

- And disciple those who come to faith in Christ.

- We want to invest more time and energy into our 11 grand kiddos…and their friends.

- We want to invest more in our local church, including those in our season of life...

- Also singles, couples, parents, and men aspiring to be pastors.

I guess in a nutshell we want to keep making disciples, with the Lord’s help, and for His glory, for as long as He gives us life and breath. Retiring from full time vocational ministry does not mean retiring from making disciples. 

So please continue to pray for us as we move into this season of life and ministry

Pray for Will and Amy Hatfield as they move into this new season of life and ministry.

And THANK YOU for your partnership in life and ministry over the past 12 years. 

- For your financial support of our fellowship.

- For your prayer support.

- For opening your hearts and lives to Sandy and me.

- For all of your kind words of encouragement.

- For your faithful service to Christ in your families and ministries.

My challenge to you…(Ephesians 3:14-4:16):

Keep worshipping Christ, doing all for His glory.

Keep walking with the Lord, in a manner worthy of your calling

Keep working together to carry out the Great Commission.

Keep waiting on the Lord, trusting Him to do great and mighty things.

We love you and thank God for you all.

Tim & Sandy