On Sunday, November 10th, BridgePointe said goodbye to one of our Shepherds, Dave Halligan. Dave and his wife, Pam, have served in various roles over the last couple of years, caring for our BP family. Over the summer, they experienced a growing conviction to spiritually invest in their children and grandchildren in a new way. After much consideration and prayer, Dave and Pam moved to Oregon to support their family and be a gospel influence for them.
We are so grateful for how Dave and Pam have served and led at BridgePointe. We pray that God would bless them as they choose to trust and serve Him in this new season for their family. We hope you take a few minutes to read the Q&A with Dave below to hear more about what their time at BP has meant to them.
Q & A with Dave
What do you remember about when you first came to BridgePointe and why you chose to become a part of the BP family?
Gal 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance…
When Pam and I arrived we encountered an uncommon fellowship of the Holy Spirit. It was evident from the parking lot to the pulpit. To someone who does not know us, that may sound like Christian rhetoric. However, many years in ministry, with several different churches has given us quite a bit of discernment about the health and culture of a church.
Once we witnessed the authenticity of that first impression, we were here to stay. And of course, an added bonus was getting to join our children and grandchildren at BridgePointe!
How have you seen God work in and around you during your time with BridgePointe?
Matt 12:33; “…for the tree is known by its fruit.”.
Ever since I arrived at BP I have carefully watched what was happening in the services, the worship, the outreach, the small groups and the leadership. And I have seen God’s hand in each and every place.
I have been most excited and inspired by the many who serve each other within the church. If you love someone, you serve them simply out of the joy of lifting them up. Service is an outward act of love towards another. Jesus came to serve. All the folks who serve at BP show His love in the way they serve one another.
What was the greatest blessing of serving on the shepherd team for BridgePointe?
To have served on the shepherd team has been an extraordinary privilege and sobering responsibility. It has taught me so much about the true nature of leadership. Jesus is the model. Leading like Him is not in the slightest about power or influence but humble servitude.
What would you like the church to know about your move to the West Coast?
This move feels like a sacrifice of personal comfort for the sake of the priorities we sense God desires for our lives right now. His priorities must be our priorities. Pam and I believe our primary priority needs to be the spiritual growth of our children and grandchildren. Three out of five of our children are in Oregon. We planned that in our retirement we would spend more time with the west coast kids and grandkids. Leaving the comfort and security of our friends and church family at this time is what we perceive to be God’s priority for this season of our lives. We are trying to follow Jesus’ example of selflessness for the sake of others.
What is your farewell, blessing and prayer for this church that you love so much?
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 captures my desire for the future of BridgePointe: “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
My hope is that prayer will continue to characterize the people of this church and that their faith will flourish because of it.
My encouragement to this church is to see time as a special gift from our Creator that is best used to invest in relationships. Make the most of both by using time God has given you for the relationships He’s entrusted to you.