tender mercies

On Sunday, March 15, the congregation of North Park Church in Wexford, PA voted to call Dan as Sr. Pastor. After much prayer and seeking of the Lord’s will, we were able to accept this strong call soon after the vote was taken. So, Lord willing, the Hendleys will be moving sometime this Spring… Thank you so much for your support and prayers. More info below.

** North Park (www.northparkepc.org) is a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The EPC is a young denomination comprised of churches that have sought to avoid the unbelief of the mainline Presbyterian body, or, in some cases, the theological rigidity of the PCA or OPC. North Park Church is located on the southwest corner of an enormous park north of Pittsburgh. Average attendance is about 450. A wonderful body comprised of some very faithful folk!
** Dan did not apply to North Park, but we are so very humbled that he was recommended by Mike Glodo, RTS professor, who preached at Covenant in Fall of 2006. We have been in process with their fine search team since September.
** We visited the church and the community in December and January, experiencing serious winter weather on both occasions. And, yes, we know it’s cold there. No, we don’t know how we will handle it, except for the Lord’s equipping grace.
** Dan still faces a presbytery exam on April 25 before he begins his official duties; thankfully no cause for concern on that front.
** We hope to move late April, but, if we buy a home, new mortgage rules may restrict us from closing until late May, which could keep Beth local until then.
** Our home here is for sale, but we are looking now more seriously at renting vs selling. It is a 4 bedroom, multi-bath home in a fabulous location. If you would send potential renters and buyers our way, we would be very grateful.
** We have not landed on a home up there, but we had a busy weekend looking and are making progress. If we don’t sell here ASAP we are facing some strain in getting together a down payment, so we are looking once again to the Lord’s provision on our behalf, and He has been so faithful to do just that.
** We are excited and scared, grieved (to be leaving) and greatly encouraged all at the same time.
** Sharon will be going with us and looking for school and work opportunities. Sarah stays in Orlando for now. Andrew has accepted a call to be youth pastor at a PCA church in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He will be moving there right after he and Meredith graduate from RTS on May 22. Meredith is due in August with our first GRANDBABY (How good is our God!). Hannah is still searching for a job and a location. Lots of fuel for praise and prayer in all of that!
** Beth’s mother will continue to live in West Melbourne but we plan on lots of visits from her. Dan’s mom remains in Ocala. It is hard for us to go far away from each of these special ladies.
** Beth will be gradually handing off her duties with the Latta family to Krista Moyer and other aids.
** We find ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s new provision and for the amazing and wonderful life in Brevard county which we have enjoyed these last 27 years. We are magnificently rich in friends and memories, but especially in the kindness of our Lord.

A neat story below for those who have time to keep reading….
After visiting with North Park leaders and staff in mid-January we faced a critical point in the process. Their search team was ready to recommend Dan to the church and the presbytery. Were we ready to move forward to be their candidate?? We spent a long weekend getting to know their leadership and understanding the church. Our intention was to respond by end of day, Sunday, January 25, and, frankly, we were uncertain. On Sunday morning January 25, Dan was slated to preach at a tiny (20 people) church plant, meeting at a school, in south Orlando. Tom Doran was supplying the music that Sunday. Among the first to arrive was a visiting couple. The wife recognized Dan from her days at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. She had worked at RTS Jackson and married a seminarian – her husband Ron. Ron, it turns out, had pastored an EPC church in Brooksville the previous 16 years, at a church to which Dan had applied. We inquired about his ministry history prior to Brooksville. He had been in Butler, PA, north of Pittsburgh. We asked if he was familiar with the EPC work in Wexford. He said, “Oh yes! North Park. North Park is a great church!” We explained that their committee had selected dan to be their candidate for pastor, to which he responded, “Take it!” He and his wife (a Tampa girl) went on to tell us we would love it there. We just kind of stared in amazement at the ways of our God. Twenty people in this church! And in walks this couple who said to us afterwards, “God sent us here today for you two.” We believe that.
We also believe the Lord had a special purpose in the trials and the endurance of the last 28 months. We have learned so very much which we are eager to apply in ministry for the glory of our Savior, who is worthy of our absolute devotion, and in whom we place our trust as we make this move.


His and your grateful servants, Dan and Beth