Senior Pastor Candidate
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
The Lake Shore Pastor Search Committee has spent the past several months seeking God’s will for this church. During this time, we took an assessment of Lake Shore Baptist. We met with the Transitional Study Team and polled the congregation to inform our search process. Then Mark Dooley, the Associate Executive Director/State Director of Evangelism of the Baptist Convention of Maryland, spoke with us, which helped us begin our search. He provided insight, study materials, and instruction.
From there, we began to operate as a committee, meeting at least once a week to put together the tools necessary to post the job opening. We initially posted the position May 23rd. While we left the post open for 30 days, we began reviewing and interviewing candidates. At the Holy Spirit’s guidance, it was clear that the man God was calling to Lake Shore Baptist was not in the initial round of candidates. Prayerfully, we then reopened the position in early October. We have remained in unity throughout the process.
During this time, we experienced the Holy Spirit moving among us as we worked together to come to a unanimous decision. God shut doors that needed to be shut and opened doors that we would not have seen had we not relied on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
After in-person interviews, virtual discussions, and prayerful consideration, the Pastor Search Committee has made a unanimous decision to call Pastor Cory Atkinson to the position of Senior Pastor. We believe that he is the man God has been leading us to, and it was apparent from the moment we reviewed his submission, independent from one another. Pastor Cory’s ministry began in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2009. From there, he faithfully served the Lord in Georgia, Florida, and Iowa. He has exhibited all the characteristics for a pastor that are detailed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Pastor Cory leads with a high level of integrity and stands firm on his commitment to sound doctrine and teaching biblical principles. His strengths are his prayer life, ability to preach, teach, disciple, and build relationships. Pastor Cory will share more details when he visits.
With Christmas and New Years coming up, we have invited Pastor Cory to come January 6th and 7th in view of a call. We have created a Pastor Profile Package so you can get to know Pastor Cory in anticipation of his visit and the Special Body Life Meeting at 12:15 PM on January 7th, 2024, at which time the members of Lake Shore Baptist Church will be asked to vote to confirm Pastor Cory’s appointment as Senior Pastor. More details are forthcoming about meeting and Q&A times that weekend. Please block off the time on your calendars and make sure you plan to come and fellowship with Pastor Cory and his wife, Kara. We are confident that each of you will enjoy his preaching and meeting them.
On behalf of the committee, we are thankful for your prayers and personal words of encouragement during this process. Those have been important to us and helped tremendously. We ask that you continue to pray for us and specifically Pastor Cory and his wife Kara.