On Sunday, March 1st, at Haven Community Church (Tucson, Arizona), we had the gift of welcoming Pastor Dan Acker to lead and preach. Dan serves as our West Regional Resource Coordinator with The Brethren Church. He has been a steady mentor and trusted voice for Haven and for me personally over this past year. Dan is a big reason why I decided to join the Brethren work in Tucson. Since I came on board as lead pastor, Summit Ridge has functioned as a mother church of sorts, walking with us in this re-planting journey through prayer, wisdom, and real partnership.

From Ephesians chapter 1, Dan taught us that the Father calls us and Jesus claims us. That truth anchored us. In a season of rebuilding, it is easy to focus on what we need to fix or create. But before any strategy, there is identity. Before any plan, there is calling. The Father has called this church, and Jesus has claimed this people.

Dan connected that directly to Haven’s future. If God is the one who calls, then we can trust Him to sustain and grow what He has begun. We are not forcing life into something fading. We are stewarding something God intends to flourish. That word brought both conviction and comfort. We laughed. We were challenged. And we were encouraged to stay the course.

Pastor Dan, thank you for your leadership in our movement, your care for Haven, and your investment in me as a pastor. We are grateful to be part of a larger Brethren family and thankful for Summit Ridge’s steady, motherly support in this season. The best is yet to come….

Josh Buck
Pastor, Haven Community Church