Ministry Update
Marty and Susan Basinger
Brown Street Baptist Church
Alton, IL
March 2023
Passing the Baton and Moving
Dear friends and family,
The baton has been passed!
On Sunday, October 10, 2021, Susan and I came alongside Brown Street Baptist Church, Alton, IL, to assist them during their period of transition. On Sunday, March 19, 2023, I passed the baton of ministry responsibility to the church’s next permanent pastor, Daniel Sternquist.
It was a wonderful day of praise and thanks to our God whose hand was so obvious in the timing and in the man.
Psalm 118:23 This was the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
As my wife and I departed Alton on that Sunday afternoon for the last time, winding our way home, a part of us felt as though we were leaving home…and in one sense we were.
The Holy Spirit-kindled love in the hearts of all believers builds a spiritual family relationship that is unlike any other on earth (1 Peter 2:5)—a forever family!
Susan and I are thankful that we can also count Pastor Daniel and the Brown Street Baptist Church as a ministry partner. This church desires to see other churches thrive during their periods of transition as Brown Street did during theirs. We appreciate so much the prayers, communication, and support of our ministry partners over the past year and a half. I am confident that your investment in this ministry will abound to your heavenly account (Philippians 4:17).
Please pray for Pastor Daniel and Krisanna Sternquist as they and their four children settle into their new ministry. The Bible verse that Pastor Daniel requested be put on the baton is 2 Timothy 4:5—As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. This verse represents Daniel’s desire as he assumes his ministry responsibilities at Brown Street.
Pray for Susan and me as well, as we, along with our director, Scott Owen, meet with the leaders of a church just beginning their period of transition. Pray for the Lord’s clear direction if this is His next place of service for us.
Marty and Susan Basinger
