brentsummerhill

Yes, I have cancer and carotid artery disease. But I’m okay. Really.

It all started in mid-August with what appears to have been a migraine episode. And then two weeks later another episode. With all of this came headaches and, the best way I can describe it, a mental fog. I functioned, but I wasn’t all there.  

Yeah, friends, I know what you’re thinking, “Brent, when have you ever been all there?”

When I finally went to the doc, to rule out a major event she ordered a brain MRI and a carotid artery ultrasound due to a family history of carotid disease. The brain MRI showed nothing significant. Again, friends, I know what you’re thinking.

The carotid ultrasound, however, showed two things: moderate to severe stenosis of the left carotid artery and, incidentally, a nodule on my thyroid. A subsequent thyroid ultrasound indicated a high probability of cancer.

While waiting on follow-up appointments in Northwest Arkansas, the Lord, through a dear friend, opened a door to see two great doctors in Little Rock. The vascular doctor, after another ultrasound, said the stenosis of the left internal carotid artery is not as severe as earlier indicated. He called it moderate. At this point, it requires continued monitoring. Given my family history, none of this is surprising.

The endocrine surgeon performed another thyroid ultrasound. She said there was only a 5-10% chance of cancer, but a biopsy was required, which she promptly did. A few days later, the results popped up in the clinic’s app, “POSITIVE FOR MALIGNANT CELLS.” She called and talked me through the diagnosis and scheduled surgery for October 28. We will know about any need for follow-up treatment after the post-surgery pathology.

And then she said, “It is a blessing you had those symptoms, otherwise you would not know about the carotid artery disease or the cancer.”

She’s right. We caught the cancer early and the likelihood of further issues from it are slim. And while the carotid stenosis likely will worsen over time and could pose serious problems, we know it’s there and can be proactive if it does.

And, yes, all of this is a blessing. Not luck. Not good fortune. Not chance. But Divine Providence. Cindy and I are thankful for the migraine episodes, the headaches, and the brain fog, for through these uncomfortable and frustrating symptoms God showed us so much more we needed to know.

And, by the way, I don’t mean knowing about the carotid artery disease and cancer. What we needed to know was that He is and that we can trust Him in the fog.

So, really, I am okay. 

Frankly, it’s overwhelming. Not the Coronavirus, though that’s stressful enough. No, all the talk is overwhelming. The flood of opinions from political experts, medical experts, and church experts is overwhelming. I don’t want to check my twitter feed anymore.

Yes, we’ve listened to the experts and done we we’re supposed to do. We are providing help to people. We’ve canceled our activities. We’ve strengthened our communication infrastructure to keep the church connected and are utilizing technology for the gospel.

But the experts keep talking. And I keep checking twitter and stressing over what else we should be doing. What else I should be doing.

Last night my mind went back to the Spring of 1991. I was 24, finishing my postgraduate degree, and about to start my first pastorate. I was young, educated, and on my way. And still ignorant as box of rocks.

Walking out of the seminary one day, I met Professor Dr. O.R. Baldwin on his way in. He stopped me to congratulate me on my church. He asked if he could give me a piece of advice. I said sure and readied myself for some gem of practical advice for ministry success. You know what he said?

“Love your people, Brent. Love your people.”

That was it. Just love your people. Got it. Thanks a lot.

Four years later, our church of a hundred or so was shaken within the span of a couple of months by the Oklahoma City Bombing, the death of a 15-year-old in a motorcycle accident, and the death of another young man at his own hands.

In those moments, the church didn’t need a bright young pastor with infrastructure and technology expertise. No, those frightened and hurting people needed a pastor who loved them with the love of Christ.

By all means, in the midst of this pandemic let’s act responsibly. Let’s strengthen our communication infrastructures to connect our people and deploy technology for the gospel.

But above all, pastors, let us love our people with the love of Christ. Let us labor sacrificially that in these troubled days their hope and assurance will be placed solely and firmly in Christ and His gospel.

Cause here’s the deal. When everything else fails – including infrastructure and technology, this love remains. This love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Dear Members of Bella Vista Baptist Church and the Bella Vista Community:

As we continue to monitor the spread of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, I want to update you regarding our plans at Bella Vista Baptist Church.

First, as of today all weekend activities, including worship, Sunday School, and meetings, are planned to meet as scheduled.

Second, the presence and impact of COVID-19 is varying from region to region. Circumstances can change and change quickly. We will continue to follow updates and consider recommendations from local, state, and federal officials regarding our response to the spread of the virus. If circumstances in our area do change, we will adjust as necessary. Adjustments could include changes in scheduling, dismissal of certain group activities, or, if necessary, cancellation of all gatherings and activities.

Scheduling updates will be posted on the church website and the church’s Facebook page.

Third, as in flu season, we are asking everyone in our community to practice good hygiene habits including washing of hands, not touching one’s face with unwashed hands, and covering one’s mouth when sneezing or coughing. If you are not well, we ask that you please remain at home. And when we are together, it is perfectly acceptable to greet one another with just a smile and a warm hello.

Further, if you are older and/or have an underlying health condition that makes you more susceptible to viruses, I urge you to take all necessary precautions including avoiding crowds.

Finally, I encourage all of us to maintain a Biblical perspective and act with Biblical wisdom as the virus spreads. As people of God, we are not a people of fear but of power and love and self-control (1 Timothy 1:7). We trust in the sovereign God, His unfailing love, and His attentiveness to our prayers.

Further, this is a time for churches like Bella Vista Baptist to demonstrate gospel hope and confidence in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the Gospel,
Brent Summerhill
Senior Pastor

This morning I announced my resignation as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Christ and his church here, and for the people and friendships who have blessed my life. Following is what I shared with the church today.

June 23, 2019

Dear First Baptist Church Family,

The past five years have gone by in a flash. It seems like yesterday I arrived for my first day and found boxes of my books stacked where I couldn’t get in my office, the work of Pastors Dustin, Roger, and Stan. I knew then that ministry here would be an adventure. And so, it has been. At times it’s felt like a roller coaster. But God has been good, as he always is.

In fact, the church is doing very well. We are financially positioned for a new youth facility and to expand missions. Worship attendance has been on the increase. But more importantly, the church is growing deeper together in Christ. People are engaged in worship and I’ve been encouraged by small group participation involving every age group of the church. And I’ve seen people talking to one another who didn’t five years go. The church appears ready to follow Christ wherever he leads.

So, this Spring, I began to prayerfully consider our future. But strangely, I could not wrap my mind around it. I could not see beyond the moment. Everything is so very good, yet I was struggling.

Two and a half or so years ago, in the midst of some difficulties we were facing, I visited with a semi-retired pastor who works part time for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. He has been involved in helping churches with intentional interim ministry.

When I told him all that I was doing at First Baptist after following a long-term pastor and a period of difficulty after his departure, he said I was doing the work of an intentional interim—reviewing every area of church life, putting policies and practices into place for the future, dealing with past issues, making changes for the good of the church’s future, and trying to unify people around Christ and his future for the church. But intentional interims don’t stay for the long haul. I was determined to be the exception to that rule.

But by the time I left for the Philippines in May of this year, I knew my assignment here was done.

The question became when and how to leave. One option was to stay and quietly seek out a church to serve. But plans are under way to build a new youth center, Pastor Dustin is scheduled to move to Missouri in January, and a search is ready to begin for a new youth pastor. So, if I quietly sought out a church, my departure would likely be in the midst of all these changes. And Cindy and I could not do that to the church.

The other option was to leave this summer so you can know now what’s going on. So, earlier this month, I began seeking counsel from Deacon Chairman Greg Matthews, Deacon Bruce Maloch, and our pastoral team. Originally, the plan was that I would stay through July. But when we considered the imminent church decisions regarding facilities, staffing, and missions that need addressing in July and the summer schedule, it became apparent that now is the time.

Therefore, I am resigning as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Magnolia, Arkansas effective next Sunday, June 30. We will finalize our move from Magnolia at the end of July.

I will visit with our pastors and deacons this afternoon at 4. And then at 6, they will talk with you about what happens next and any decisions the church needs to make now. But you need to know this, there is solid pastoral and lay leadership in place for this moment. Pray for them.

Cindy and I ask for your prayers as I step aside. We do not know where we will serve next. While I have talked with friends and contacts, my focus has been on how we leave here. Our immediate plan is for some rest while trusting and waiting on God for our next assignment. We have a little money put back for a little while and we are confident in our big God to provide and lead us to our next place of service.

Next Sunday morning I plan to share some personal thoughts and a final exhortation as your pastor. But let me say now how thankful I am to be able to resign with nothing but love in my heart for this church. By God’s grace, we have not only endured struggles along the way, we stand here today strong in the love of Christ and in the love of one another. I love you deeply and will ever be thankful for how God has shaped my ministry and life for the better by his grace through my years here with you. Friends, you are ready to follow Christ in greater ministry for the Gospel. And he has the man ready to lead you.

For the Gospel,
Brent Summerhill

In my flesh, I’m hoping for a teary-eyed, snotty-nosed funeral that drags on for hours as people mourn my passing with long stories of what a great preacher, husband, father, and grandfather (fingers crossed) I was. Maybe there’ll be a scholarship named after me or even an endowed chair of preaching at a prestigious seminary in my honor. (My hubris knows no bounds!)

The truth is, once the “he’s gone” party is over, the world will keep spinning, time will march on, the sun’ll come up tomorrow, and all the other life moves on clichés. After all, as the old Soap Opera intro went, “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”

When Josiah died, they lamented his passing and celebrated his life accomplishments. God even had them written down so we could learn from them. But then the world kept spinning.

Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, was made king in his dad’s place. He lasted three months before Pharaoh Neco, whose archers had shot his dad, deposed him and made Judah a tributary state to Egypt. From there it went downhill like the proverbial snowball until the king of the Chaldeans captured Jeruslaem and carried its inhabitants off into slavery.

The fact is none of us have any control over what happens next. But we are accountable for our lives now. As others have observed, we are responsible for the dash between the dates on our headstone.

That’s what Josiah’s ancestor, King Solomon, finally figured out. After all his ponderings and musings, adventures and misadventures, here’s what he had to say.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Though not perfect, the whole of Josiah’s life was lived like that. Still, his influence seemed negligible on his immediate generations. But now, centuries later in June 2018, Josiah’s example is having a profound impact on us at First Magnolia.

How ever many moments you may live, live every moment Coram Deo – before the face of God. Then, when eternity dawns, you might just be amazed at the difference your life made in the generations that followed.

The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy. (2 Chronicles 36:15-16)

When God sent word through the prophetess Huldah that he would bring disaster upon Judah and its inhabitants, he meant it. First came the Babylonians and then the Chaldeans, who brought death, looted and burned the Temple, reduced Jerusalem’s wall to rubble, and carried the people away to serve as slaves.

When God gave word through the prophet Jeremiah that the land would lay desolate for seventy years, he meant it. And for seventy years the descendants of those freed by Moses from Egyptian bondage would serve another king while the land of promise rested from their rebellious and idolatrous ways.

But, when God gave his word to their forefather Abraham that he would give him a seed through whom his heirs would number as the sands of the sea and stars of the heaven and through whom the nations of the world would be blessed, he meant it. And after seventy years God stirred the heart of a Persian king by the name of Cyrus to declare:

The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up. (2 Chronicles 36:23)

The people of promise would return to the land of promise and through them the God of the promise would deliver the seed of promise, namely Jesus.

You can trust God to keep his promises.

He had been duly warned by God through Neco that engaging in this battle would be his ruin.

Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo. And the archers shot King Josiah. (2 Chronicles 35:22-23a)

You can’t write it off to the impetuousness of youth. He’s not some wet behind the ears kid. He’s old enough to have a twenty-three-year-old son. And he’s a royal rock star. He’s led the greatest revival in the history of the kings of Judah.

But, he did not listen. The humble king who once was broken when he heard the Word of the Law read, on this day arrogantly disregards a direct message from God. And the archers found their mark.

How will you end your time on earth? Past spiritual success does not guarantee a grand finale. Pride lurks for the old as well as the young.

In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo, as soon as he saw him. (2 Kings 23:29)

It wasn’t his battle. I don’t know if Josiah had some personal beef with Neco or if he was friends with the king of Assyria or what. But this much is clear, it wasn’t his battle.

But he [Pharaoh Neco] sent envoys to him [King Josiah], saying, “What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, lest he destroy you.” (2 Chronicles 35:21)

Our pride and emotions can deafen us to the wisdom of God and blind us to the consequences of our choices. Our friends aren’t always right, and our enemies aren’t always wrong. Kneejerk reactions out of loyalty or loathing can leave us on the wrong side of truth, whether riding a chariot into battle or posting on social media.

Get the facts as best you can and seek wisdom from God through Scripture and prayer before you ride into battle.

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:13)

Scripture says of Josiah:

“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to the law of Moses nor did any like him arise after him.” (2 Kings 23:25)

But the Bible says Josiah died because:

“He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God.” (2 Chronicles 35:22)

No one’s perfect. Not Josiah. Not you. Not me. We are all prone not to listen to God. No one’s perfect.

Except Jesus.

The Son of God died  listening to and obeying the words of God, his Father. The righteous King gave his life to deliver Josiah and you and me and all who will believe in him from the bondage of sin. He is the only King in whom we may fully trust.

Trust the King today.