For Everything There is a Season

For Everything There Is A Season

As some of you may have already heard, this month marks a transition for me as I step away from serving as Youth Pastor here at Calvary. My last official Sunday on staff will be May 25. While I look forward to continuing as a member and worshiping alongside you all, I wanted to take this opportunity to share more personally in this newsletter—reflecting on my time in ministry here and the road ahead.

Serving the students and families of Calvary Baptist Church has been a great privilege. From Wednesday youth group, conferences and concerts, Sunday morning small groups, and countless other moments, I’ve had a front-row seat to watch God work in the lives of our students. I have seen them grow in their understanding of Scripture, step up to serve others, gain confidence in their identity in Christ, and wrestle with hard questions about what it means to follow Jesus each and every day in a fallen world. What a gift it has been to walk alongside them in their faith journeys!

I am incredibly grateful for the trust you placed in me, the friendships formed along the way, and the ways you have encouraged me—not only as a youth pastor but as a brother in Christ. I have learned so much from this church family about humility, service, and grace. I’ve learned that ministry is not about numbers and turnout, but about people and relationships. It’s about walking together in faith, in the highs and the lows, pointing one another to Jesus every step of the way.

As many of you know, I’m in the final stages of my Doctor of Public Health program. This summer, I’ll begin a full-time internship with the Virginia Department of Health, followed by writing and defending my dissertation over the next year. This is a season that requires my full attention, and after much prayer and counsel, I know this is the right step—not only for my academic and vocational calling but also for the well-being of my family. Please know that while I am stepping away from a formal ministry role, I am not stepping away from this church family. My heart for ministry remains strong, and I trust
that the Lord will open future doors in His perfect timing. I remain excited about what God is doing in and through Calvary, and I am praying for the next season of student ministry, for the leaders who will continue to serve, and for every student who calls this church home.

In closing, let me encourage all of us to remember that every role in the church matters. Whether you serve in youth and children’s ministry, music, hospitality, or simply by showing up and being present in worship—you are part of what God is doing here. Never underestimate the impact of your faithful presence and prayers. You might just be surprised how the Lord works in the small things for your good and for His glory.

Thank you again for the privilege of serving alongside you. I look forward to all that is ahead as we continue to grow together in Christ.

By His grace and for His glory,
Harrison Ihrig