Returning to the DC Area September 1

Dear Family & Friends:

For those who don't already know, Jane, the kids, and I (and, yes, our dog and cat) will be returning home to the Washington, DC area. We are packing this month and traveling back to Virginia the week of September 1.

In the last few months, God has unmistakably "ordered our steps" and moved in our hearts to return home -- back to our old townhouse, close to Jane's parents (and the kids' grandparents) and close to my sister.

We have grown to love our Ohio home and the wonderful families at Sligo Baptist Church. We treasure our relationships at Sligo, and we've truly shed many tears over this decision. It was not an easy one. And we plan to come back and visit from time to time, as the Lord leads and as they wish.

I am, however, excited to see what the Lord has in store for us in our next place of ministry. I've been asked to serve as pastor of Olney Baptist Church in Olney, Maryland. From all that I've seen, the people at Olney Baptist are wonderful, the church is solid, and the mission field is needy.

I will also miss the families (especially the kids) at Wilmington Christian Academy. God has blessed me to be a part of the WCA community for the last year and a half as part-time administrator. It's been rewarding, and it's also given me a deeper appreciation for the administrator and principals I served under at Fair Oaks. :-)

This decision was made a couple weeks ago, but I did not announce it online until now, for a few reasons. While Sligo knew about it right after the decision was made, it's only been the last few days that each member of the WCA Board and staff have been made aware. Word is now spreading to the WCA families and kids, with an official letter going out from the WCA Board this weekend. So, I now have the freedom to let everyone else know.

Please pray for us during these next few weeks. It's a busy time for the Tubbs family. Pray especially for our kids. It's always a big adjustment for them.

I would also invite you all to pray for...

1. Sligo Baptist Church - A wonderful, awesome, incredible group of people that I love with all my heart. Pray that God leads the right pastor to them in His timing, but we hope and they hope that God's timing is quick. :-)

2. Wilmington Christian Academy - Pray for a smooth transition and a great 2009-2010 school year! Pray for the WCA parents, faculty, and leaders -- as well as, of course, the kids.

3. Olney Baptist Church - I'm excited about this next chapter in my life. OBC is full of some great people. I can already see that, and am already getting to know several of them. Please pray that God works in and blesses Olney, and that I can be an asset to His work there and not a hindrance.

And, again, pray for my family. I am so blessed to have Jane as my wife. She deserves better than me, but God knew I needed help. :-) And pray for our kids. We are so blessed to have such wonderful children.

To those friends in Ohio reading this, we will miss you. You've been such a blessing to us. And we will come back and visit! We promise.

To those friends and family in the DC area...here we come! :-)