We are fast approaching one year since I first went home sick from prayer meeting on a Wednesday night with what came be to diagnosed as dysautonomia, or POTS. We have employed a wide array of medications and exercises, and of course sought the Lord in prayer for my healing over the past year. As of yet, these prayers have not been answered — or at least the answer has been “no”, or “not yet.”
In light of the extended nature of my illness, and the fact that there is no imminent cure on the horizon, I believe this is the right time for me to step down as pastor of First Baptist Moss Bluff. The church needs an active pastor to lead her in these trying days, and I am not physically able to provide that leadership at this time. We are short several members on our ministerial staff, but it is difficult to call staff members without a stable senior pastor in place. After much prayer, deliberation, and seeking God in His word, I believe it is in the best interest of the church, and also God’s will at this time, that I submit my resignation today, effective in two weeks, Sunday, February 17.
Cheryl & I are very grateful for the gracious way the church has provided for us during my time of medical leave. We want to thank our church family for all of the prayers, acts of kindness, and generosity to us over the past months. I have preached many times from this pulpit that God is a sovereign God, who has a purpose for everything that happens to His children, and who works all things together for good. Now I have the opportunity to live out that belief by trusting Him in what from a human standpoint looks like a very uncertain future. I do believe that He will bring good from this situation, and that this is not the end of the story. I believe that it will end better. But for the present, He is leading us to close this chapter at FBC Moss Bluff. Thank you again for your love, prayers, encouragement, and every expression of grace you have shown me and my family these past 12 years that I have had the privilege of serving as your pastor.
Shawn Thomas
shawnethomas 
My heart is so heavy. We will miss your messages. You and your family are in our prayers.
Thank you for the prayers, Towanna. We will miss being with you at church, FBCA, and football games! Hope to see y’all before we leave.
Dear brother in the Lord,
I have wanted to thank you before for your ministry through these blogs. Even though you are stepping down from pulpit ministry, I pray God leads you to continue sharing encouragement from the Word this way. I am sure there are countless hungry souls who have been encouraged in the Lord as I have through them. I also pray God will bless you and strengthen you and be a very present help for you and your family through this time of trial.
Marie-Anne Webster
Marie-Anne, thank you so much for sharing that; it means a lot to know that God is using the blog devotions. I do hope to continue to do them, as often as I am able. Though sometimes I can schedule them in advance, a general rule is, if I am not posting, I am most likely ill, so that can be the cue for readers to pray for me specially. Thanks again so much, and hope to share with you more in the future.
Bro. Shawn, I am saddened to read your blog post. I know that God will continue to do good works through you His child. You and your family are and will continue to be in my prayers!
Bro. Shawn, I did not want to read your post today. I have been praying for you ever since I wrote to you concerning my daughter’s challenge with Pots, praying that somehow, someway healing would come. Your encouraging words each week on your blog are helping so many people and I now pray that God can use this ministry more than ever as you transition to a new chapter in your life. I’ve spent many days with Heather the past few months and we’ve right where you are – waiting upon God to see us through and to show us a new horizon!! I believe it is coming for Heather and I believe the same for you. God can and will use the challenge of Pots to bring honor and glory to His name!!! In Christ, Gene
Gene, I know what you mean — I didn’t want to write it, either! 😉 Really after much prayer and consideration, I knew that it is what needed to be done, for the good of the church right now, so I was at peace with it. I know that God is not finished with me while I live and breathe, so I look forward to what He is going to do. And it is encouraging to see more people each week access my blog devotions, sermons, and POTS posts — perhaps that will be my primary ministry for a time. Thank you for your prayers, and know that I am praying for you and Heather each week!
Thank you, Heather. I really do believe that this is what God has for me right now, so I am at peace with it. We do need those prayers though, as there are so many things to do in making the transition — pray for my wife Cheryl especially, as she carries the greatest burden, because I am often too ill to be of much use! Please know that you continue to be in my prayers each week. Keep me updated so I know how to pray!
Bro. Shawn, we love you and will miss you. You’ve been an encouragement to us in our calling to Nepal. You were also a great friend to us while we were in Moss Bluff. Thankful we could call you Pastor these past 6 years. With Love, the Alexander family
There really are no words. I simply cannot tell you what you and your family mean to me. I know that we are not what the “world” would consider traditional friends. We don’t have coffee.I have somehow found myself to annoy you many times over the years. But you have been there to see me through some really yucky stuff. And through it all, I always knew that God sent you, and if I really needed you, you would be there. I never dreamed that something like this POTS thing would take you down the way that it has. And now, I am told that you all are moving back home. I understand. I don’t like losing any of you back to Oklahoma, but I understand. Please know that although I have not been beating down your door, and seem to be drowning in my own stuff to much to visit or anything as so many have, I have prayed for you daily, and will continue to lift you up, and your family. My love to you all, May God carry you through the good days and the bad… Keep us posted on Facebook every once in a while when you feel like it! Still love to hear from you!
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