What I've Learned from my Co-Workers at Mount Paran North--Jason Duncan

Jason Duncan came to Mount Paran North in August of 2010 and serves as the Director of Worship and Arts.

The most important thing I have observed in Jason is that talent is no substitute for a life of complete and total dependence upon God, who is the giver of every good gift that we have. Make no mistake about it—Jason is a tremendously talented man with an incredible voice and a personality that people cannot help but like. However, when Jason leads a group of 12 or a congregation of 1,500 in worship, it is apparent that he has spent just as much time “with the Father” as he has in preparation and practice. To put it simply—Jason is comfortable in the presence of God and makes those he leads in worship want to follow him and engage the presence of God in the worship service and in their lives.

Jason has an “aw-shucks” personality and is extremely humble, but he is a man that runs deep with God. I have thoroughly enjoyed the short time I have worked with him. Thanks to Jason for reminding me that my talents are on loan from God and my responsibility is to always strive to improve the gifts without neglecting the Giver of gifts.

Lessons I've Learned from my Co-Workers at Mount Paran North--Brett Mayes

Brett Mayes has been the Director of Discipleship for Mount Paran North since October of 2008. Brett recently added Missions to his portfolio and is now the Director of Missions and Discipleship.

The most important thing I have learned from Brett is that excitement and enthusiasm are not directly opposed to process. Some people mistakenly believe that some lead through excitement and charisma while others lead through process. Brett Mayes disproves this theory. Brett is a very charismatic leader who is passionate about the Great Commission in the local church and across the globe. However, Brett is one of the most methodical thinkers I have ever met. Before Brett came to North, we had attempted small groups with miserable results. Brett brought a few key leaders on board and started small group ministry (Life Groups) with a few test groups. Once we knew that people were excited about the small groups and growing closer to Christ, we let them tell the successes of small groups to North through testimonials and video. Now the discipleship/connection percentage of North has increased from just under 20% to 40%.

Brett has challenged me to think strategically through process while maintaining my enthusiasm for the vision God gives me. There are a lot of great visions that pastors have shared with their churches that fall flat on their face because they have no strategy of implementation. Not so with Brett—he understands the importance of integrating passion for the vision with strategies of implementation that benefit the church.

Thanks to Brett for the lesson I have observed and learned from working with you.

What I Learned from my Co-Workers at Mount Paran North--Jeremy Isaacs

Jeremy Isaacs has been our Director of Student Ministries and Next Gen Ministries for the past 4 1/2 years. He and Corrie will soon be opening the new campus of Mount Paran North in Canton, GA in January of 2012. Jeremy is a dynamic leader who has many gifts of preaching, teaching and a great musician—just to name a few. He also has the gift of “gab”. Jeremy could talk his way in and out of any situation needed. Had he not surrendered to the call of ministry, he could very well have been a Senator—and I mean that as a compliment!

The most important thing I have learned from Jeremy is that I do not need to be the originator of an idea in order for it to be a success. Jeremy is one of the most well-read persons I know. His depth and breadth of readings from books to blogs opens his life up to many thought-provoking and inspirational ideas that benefit him and the teams he works with.

Jeremy has challenged me to read blogs from folks I don’t necessarily agree with or people whose ministry context seems so different from mine. In doing so, I can become a better, more well-versed leader that benefits from the successes and failures of others. This helps me to grow without experiencing the painful lessons that I might otherwise have encountered.

Thanks to Jeremy for the lesson I have observed and learned from working with you. I know whenever I call you, I never have to worry about carrying the conversation.

Why We Are Leaving Mount Paran North

By now, the word is getting out that Laura and I, along with Bradley and Lauren, will be leaving Mount Paran North soon. A letter was sent recently regarding our recent appointment as Senior Pastor of Canton Temple of Praise in Canton, OH—a congregation of 400+ that has a rich history and an even brighter future. However, I wanted to take this opportunity to more fully answer any lingering questions regarding our future.

First, we are leaving because we have felt for some time that God was about to change our ministry and take us back into the role of Senior Pastor. Before coming to North, we had the privilege of serving as Senior Pastor in a suburb of Jackson, MS for 5 years. Even when we came to North, we had a sense that one day God would lead us back into the role of Senior Pastor—we just had no idea of when that would be.

Secondly, I love to preach. To be able to stand before a group of people on Sunday morning and preach/teach the Word of God is a privilege that I cannot even describe. I desperately long to once again preach on Sundays to a congregation that God has called us to lead. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Mark Walker for allowing me the chance to preach to the wonderful people of Mount Paran North on a regular basis—more so than he has ever done. It is something that I will always treasure.

Thirdly, I desire to lead a church again in the role that only a Senior Pastor can lead. Pastor Mark has trusted me with leadership roles and authority at North in unprecedented ways, and yet the role I believe God has designed for Laura and me is that of Senior Pastor.

Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding, I want to make clear that we are not leaving because we are unhappy or disenchanted. I consider the 5½ years spent at Mount Paran North some of the greatest in my life. I have enjoyed the privilege of working with a great leader and even better friend in Mark Walker. I have worked with some of the brightest minds and kingdom hearts in the pastors and people of North. We are leaving because we believe that God is calling us to leave. If God is calling us to leave, then we believe that something great awaits us. If we know that God is asking us to follow His calling, then we simply must obey. How could I ever stand up and teach with any integrity that people should trust and follow God if I will not do so?

Laura and I love the people of Mount Paran North so much and consider you part of our family. We leave with a strange mixture of excitement, sadness and hope for the futures of both Canton Temple and Mount Paran North. We will not be strangers and hope to visit with you in the future. We pray nothing but God’s blessings upon North and believe that great things are in the future for you.

Pastor Kirk