Lead Pastor Update

Jeremy Norton, Lead Pastor (Fall 2025)

The Past 3 Months (Summer 2025)

This summer felt like a slow burn of faithfulness; steady work, deep reflection, and quiet reminders that God’s still leading even when things feel heavy. We wrapped up the Return, Restore, Renew series through Joel in mid-August. Week after week, we watched how God calls His people back from ruin to renewal. Both the English and Filipino gatherings benefited from the series.

Leadership rhythms stayed consistent through the summer. I kept up with one-on-ones, helping ministry leaders stay connected to their purpose and plans. We had a few leadership shifts in September: Caitlin moving from Systems to focus on Welcome Desk and greeters, Kim has taken on more of the systems work, while the contract bookkeeper takes the finance side. Pastor Aaron stepped away from Hospitality and Facilities to focus on chaplaincy and visitation. The Sniders stepped up to oversee Hospitality and the Parrots, over Facilities. Lastly, Kristie and Helen relaunched our Outreach Ministry after a year without leadership.

On the personal side, as most know, our family’s been walking a hard but grace-filled road as Nicole continues cancer treatment. We’ve felt the love of this church in tangible ways: meal drop-offs, text check-ins, and steady prayer. You’ve carried us, and we’re thankful. Pastorally, I’ve had to pace myself differently this season, guarding energy for family first and trusting God to fill the gaps in ministry. Thankfully, my pastoral team (Aaron, Herber and Byron) are top-notch and have proven to be both great friends and faithful Gospel-partners.

The Next 3 Months (Fall 2025)

We’ve just launched into IDENTITY: Found in Him, walking through Ephesians 1. It’s already sparking some great conversations about what it actually means to live in Christ as primary, over our other values and characteristics. Over the next two months, we’ll walk through what it means to be blessed, chosen, redeemed, adopted, and sealed in Christ.

For our filmed messages, we’ll be trying out some wider angles, with more décor in the room, specifically to improve our YouTube engagement. This, of course, is just one component of what we do. It’s synced with other video options and social platforms, email updates, podcast and radio, all so people can engage the message wherever they are. The goal’s simple: help more people hear the Gospel and grow deeper in it.

October means gathering Mission-Vision Goals and budgets from our Ministry Leaders, all focused on the year ahead. In November, the Board will pull the budgets together into one clear package, ready to present in January. As is our usual rhythm, we’ll avoid meetings in December since the month’s already packed with events and activities. We will, however, be sharing ministry reports, leader goals, and financial updates at the October Membership Meeting, so you’ll get a good preview of what’s coming. And speaking of what’s ahead, property and building conversations are still underway, with an update also planned for that meeting.

Finally, the last Sunday of November will bring in our Advent series, focused on the prophecies of Isaiah, related to Christ’s birth. This will lead into our Christmas Eve gatherings: a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbours.

Prayer Requests & Closing Remarks

As we head into the final stretch of the year, I'm deeply grateful. God's been faithful through every challenge-steady, patient, generous.

Please be in prayer for:

- Nicole's continued healing and endurance for our family.

- Unity and clarity as we discern next steps for facility planning.

- Wisdom and provision as we prepare for 2026 ministries and budgets.

- Spiritual renewal in those discovering their identity in Christ.

- Strength and encouragement for our staff and volunteers through a full ministry season.

Paul's reminder still anchors me: "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV) Thanks for walking with us, praying for us, and serving alongside us. Let's finish 2025 strong, trusting God's timing, His provision, and His unshakable faithfulness.

Peace,

Jeremy Norton, Lead Pastor
Mountainview Church, Whitehorse, YT