pastoral support

Renée Antrosio – July 11, 2023 4 Comments

For the past several months, we have been praying and discussing the need for administrative and outreach pastoral support. Melissa Logsdon’s journey has led her to NCF, where her experience and skills have already been a great help and encouragement to me. In these next six months, she will serve as an interim associate pastor, starting at 15 hours/week, as we discern together a possible fit for further collaboration. Please add her to your prayers. –Renée

Hello! I’m so pleased that I have the opportunity to partner with and serve you, New Covenant Fellowship. I’ve been asked to introduce myself, Melissa Logsdon, to you:

I’ve been serving the Church for the past 20 years in a variety of settings: from community programming for non-profits to serving in pastoral roles within church ministries. I’ve also been blessed to work alongside local Christians throughout the world: supporting Kingdom work being done in Asia, the Middle East, Central America, and Africa. 

The fabric of my faith is woven from a diverse background of the Church. When I first started following Jesus, at age 3, my family was part of a Pentecostal/Charismatic church, where I first learned expressive worship of God. My teen and young adult years were then spent in a variety of conservative Evangelical and Baptist churches, where I learned to hide God’s Word in my heart. Throughout my life, I have followed what I learned in these settings: Love God with all that I am and Love my neighbor as myself.

As I started out in ministry, I quickly found myself serving those in our community that didn’t fit in at the church I was attending at the time. I knew of a church with the motto: “come as you are, you’ll be loved”; and when I brought these single moms and their kids to this church, they were accepted, no matter their color. While part of this Charismatic/Evangelical church, I continued to grow in my understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit, receive further ministry training, and become an ordained minister.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…  Isaiah 61:1-2a, Luke 4:18-19

A few years ago, my theology and life experiences were no longer a good fit there, and so I made the difficult decision to leave. I am so grateful for the opportunities I had in this 13 year season: for personal growth and getting to serve so many people–both inside and outside of the church building.

During the last few years, I’ve continued to work out what I believe and where I feel like God is leading me to go. In the same way I came to be part of a church that includes people no matter their color, recently I have been wanting to be part of a church that also includes people no matter their sexual orientation and gender identity. I am grateful to come to be a part of New Covenant Fellowship.

to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Is. 61:2b-3a

I come to New Covenant having just gone through a very difficult season in my life. Nearly overnight, I went from a very active life engaging in career, community, and extreme sports, to not being able to cross my living room without a walker or pick up a full coffee cup. It’s taken 2 ½ years of countless doctor appointments, tests, and treatments.

God’s constant presence in this season has not only strengthened my spirit–so I haven’t just survived, but thrived in the midst of–but God has also slowly brought healing into my life as well. God is a Rebuilder of broken places, a Restorer of spirit and health; and I believe that I, and all lovers of God, are called to partner with God in this restoration work–in the cities we live in and the people who live there.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Is. 61:3b-4 NIV

I look forward to partnering at NCF with living out our faith together as a catalyst for further justice work in our community. And inviting others into this work and into our faith community. For the next 6 months, I’ll be taking on the role of Interim Admin & Outreach Pastor. This is a trial arrangement of 15 hours a week with me focusing primarily on service planning, various administrative needs, and community outreach. If you have questions regarding my role, please reach out to Renee. I look forward to serving here and partnering with you!

-Melissa Logsdon, July 2023