We rejoice to report the recent installation of Pastor Ryan Maljaars into full-time pastoral ministry.
On May 28, 2022, Pastor Butler and Pastor Kirkpatrick completed a theological examination of Pastor Maljaars. Over the course of two hours, Pastor Maljaars demonstrated his familiarity with major biblical themes, the outlines of various sections of scripture, and a variety of confessional doctrines. In passing the examination with flying colors, and in receiving a nearly unanimous vote of confidence from the congregation, Pastor Maljaars was installed into our eldership in a joint service with Surrey Reformed Baptist Church on May 29, 2022.
It is bittersweet for our church to send Pastor Maljaars out to the area near Armstrong, BC and Vernon, BC to finalize the creation of a church plant in that region. The brother has been a beloved member of our church family for many years. However, as our Lord emphasizes in Matthew 9:37–38, “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” We know that our brethren in that region have waited many years to install a biblically qualified and confessionally consistent elder into their church plant and to formally constitute a duly recognized church. Therefore, we rejoice in God’s work within Pastor Maljaars’ life and in His provision for the church plant.
As of July 2022, Pastor Maljaars will be moving to the area so he can begin full-time pastoral ministry there. In making this transition, let us continue to pray for the church plant as it takes several important steps in the coming months, for Pastor Maljaars and his family as they adjust, and for God’s work in the nearby community as the gospel goes forth.
Featured picture above is taken from the examination of Pastor Ryan Maljaars (top right) by Pastors Jim Butler (bottom right) and Mike Kirkpatrick (bottom left) on May 28, 2022. Bottom picture is of the three pastors outside FGBC afterwards
