Today, we celebrate a significant moment of transition as we honor the service and leadership of our outgoing General Victory Leaders Band Coordinator, Joshua Farthing, and welcome in the newly appointed Coordinator, Jacob Anders.
Just as Moses passed the leadership baton to Joshua, ensuring the continuity of God’s work among the people, this transition represents not just a change of leaders but a continuation of the vision and mission to empower and guide our youth in their spiritual journey. Join us as we look back at the impactful journey so far and look forward to the exciting future ahead.
The following letter is from outgoing VLB Coordinator Joshua Farthing:
Dear Leader,
As I write this letter, my heart is filled with a deep sense of gratitude mixed with a bit of sadness, as I prepare to soon exit my role as General VLB Coordinator. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life to serve Christ and the Church in this capacity, and I thank God for the time He has given me.
A couple of months before I was appointed in 2016, the Lord told me a change was coming to my ministry. At the time I was unsure of what that meant and shared it with my wife. I felt it so strong that I approached my Regional Overseer to let him know a change was coming, because it was only fair for him to know incase I couldn’t fulfill my appointment as pastor. I wasn’t aware of anything to expect, but when the Assembly came, that’s when I was appointed General VLB Coordinator. This confirmed what God was telling me two months prior. I wondered why God would choose someone like me for such an important role. I felt unworthy and incapable of performing this great task, but fully desired to be obedient to God’s will.
Now as I look back over these last eight years, I see how God has blessed in so many beautiful ways…from the friendships made throughout the world, to lives being transformed by the power of the Gospel, young families strengthened by faith, and youth dedicated to seeking God. It has certainly been a privilege to be part of this.
Stepping away is not easy, but I am comforted knowing that God has placed a deep love for youth in the heart of the newly appointed coordinator, Brother Jacob Anders & his wife Sister Haley. I have full confidence that God has great plans for the Victory Leaders Band, and I am excited to see how He will continue to use each of you in these plans.
Thank you for the love, support, and encouragement you have shown me and my family. Thank you for being a part of our lives and for allowing us to be a part of yours… and thank you to my wife Karen and daughter Kaylee for the prayers and support they have given. They have been a tremendous blessing, and I could not have done this without them.
I want to leave you with the words of the apostle Paul from Philippians 1:3-6, which express my feelings perfectly, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
As I step into this new chapter of my life, I ask for your prayers for me and my family. I will always carry with me in my ministry the love and lessons I have learned as your Leader, and I will always hold the Victory Leaders Band close to my heart.
If my family can be of service or help to you in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We love & appreciate you all, and it is our prayer that God will bless & keep you “Safe & Sound” as we continue working for Him until He returns for His glorious Church.
Sincerely,
Joshua Farthing, General VLB Coordinator