Ministry Update
Steve and Kristen Wynn
Associate Church Revitalizers, Smyrna, NY
November 2025
Hello Prayer Partners!
Thank you so much for your partnership in the gospel – for your prayers, encouraging touch points, and financial support! God is at work in our churches – and we can’t wait to share some of the ways we’re seeing Him work in New York.
Matthew 9:35-38
On November 23, the deacons and I presented an update to the West Smyrna church family regarding our pastoral preparation process. This process, created back in March and approved by the church in June, is meant to identify and prepare godly called men for pastoral or mission ministry.
Since that time, we’ve been working with Tom Taylor who aspires to go into full-time pastoral ministry. The church leaders have walked through the initial stages of the process, including discerning if Tom’s character is above reproach and resembling that of a pastor, if Tom’s doctrine is solid, and if he has the skillset of a pastor (teaching, shepherding, oversight). We have developed a plan to further develop his skillset and we unanimously presented him to the church as affirmed and ready for their consideration.
The next steps of the process are in the church’s hands – a man is called into pastoral ministry if the church affirms that calling. Tom will defend his doctrine before the church in two weeks and the church had a time of Q&A this past Sunday. If all goes well, we plan to vote on licensing Tom to begin pastoral ministry and enact his development plan on January 4.
This has been a long process and we’re grateful for the Lord’s hand in all of it. It has been a privilege working with the deacons, along with Tom and his wife, Shari. Regardless of the way the church family moves, we are grateful for men aspiring to ministry. The Lord is faithful and continues to send out laborers into His harvest!
What’s in progress?
West Smyrna Baptist Church
We’re in our ninth month of revitalization work at West Smyrna Baptist Church. Join us in praising the Lord for all He is accomplishing in His church:
- We have four men underway with Leadership Journey.
- We continue to work through our pastoral search process with our two pastoral applicants.
- We are working through our pastoral preparation process with the church family.
- We’re continuing our SENT class – equipping in relational evangelism. We have over 30 folks taking the class and they are sharing ways the Lord is opening doors to share the gospel.
- WSBC has a new YouTube channel. We’re hoping to reach 50 subscribers so we can begin live streaming. If you use YouTube, please consider subscribing!
- The deacons have interviewed two individuals who desire to join the church – one teen and one adult!
- This week we begin our Advent sermon series, “The Miracles of Christmas.” We’ll have a children’s program and a Christmas Eve service.
- There are multiple discipleship and evangelistic endeavors occurring – praying for our church members, along with Steve and Kristen, as they share the love of Jesus!
We had a great turnout for our Harvest Dinner, including many visitors! Many thanks to the members (Kylie, Erin, and Liza) who organized the event. Steve had an opportunity to share the gospel.
Constantia Center Baptist Church
The advisory committee met in November. We decided to transition to an ad hoc meeting schedule – as any needs arise. The following updates were shared during the meeting:
- The church has a promising pastoral applicant. Additionally, they have two resumes and another potential name in the works. Keep praying as the church walks through their pastoral search process.
- A number of new visitors are attending worship services!
- The deacons have created a new system to organize church fellowship during the month and be intentional in their outreach. Praying for the church family as they grow in Jesus and share the hope of the gospel with the lost!
Bible Baptist Church, New Hartford
The church family has approved partnership with Baptist Church Planters and the initial action plan.
- West Smyrna Baptist Church is considering a proposal from the deacons to serve as an accountability church for Bible Baptist. That vote will be January 4. We are currently answering questions regarding the proposal and ironing out details.
- Yesterday the steering committee commenced its first online meeting.
- Steve will begin discipleship this Friday with BCP’s “Step B” Study. This will involve equipping young men in the church to teach on alternating weeks.
Wedding preparations have begun for John and Wendy! Kristen is loving all of the babies in the FBT Tuesday small group. A group of fellas gathered for a Colgate Hockey game. The Wynns went to the movies. London began playing basketball on a local Christian school’s team.
Some odds and ends:
- Steve is continuing his work on the teacher training module with Jon Jenks and Ginny Sebok of BCP.
- Steve continues serving in an advisory capacity for BCP’s NEXT 35 Campaign. You can learn more about the campaign on our website: bcpusa.org/next-35-campaign We’re currently at 22% of our three-year goal.
- On Giving Tuesday, we encouraged those impacted by BCP and who are likeminded with our mission to join The Hundredfold with a recurring gift of $100/month. Each gift directly strengthens, revitalizes, and plants more churches – and allows it to be done sooner, not later. Join us in praying for our churches, advocating for the mission of BCP, and consider supporting BCP through a recurring gift of any size.
Praise & Prayer Request List
Praises
- Praise God for the discipleship occurring at WSBC, specifically in Leadership Journey and SENT.
- Praise God for the two pastoral applicants, and for the progress with the pastoral preparation procedure.
- The Northeast Fellowship just announced in their recent newsletter that 12 churches have called pastors this year, bringing our pastor-less church count down to its lowest point in five years! We continue to pray for our 24 churches that are searching for their next pastor.
Prayer Requests
- West Smyrna Baptist Church: Pray for the church family as they work through the revitalization plan and continue their pastoral search. You can view the pastoral portfolio by clicking here. Contact me if you know of a man interested in learning more about WSBC!
- WSBC: Pray for wisdom for the next stages of the Pastoral Preparation Process.
- WSBC: Pray for our SENT study and for the church family to be obedient in sharing the gospel.
- WSBC: Pray for the four men taking Leadership Journey.
- Constantia Center Baptist Church: We continue to pray for God to provide their next pastor! If you know of a potential pastor, I encourage you to view and share CCBC’s pastoral portfolio (click here to view a PDF copy).
- BCP: Pray for Steve as he collaborates with BCP leaders to develop discipleship modules for churches.
- BCP: Pray for BCP’s NEXT 35 Campaign.
- Home: Pray for Kristen and the kids as they continue homeschooling.
Schedule
- Dec 2 – Bible Baptist Steering Committee Mtg
- Dec 5 – Bible Baptist “Step B” Study Begins
- Dec 6 – WSBC Deacons Mtg
- Dec 7 – Carol Sing at Waterville Baptist Church
- Dec 9 – Pastors & Wives Meal
- Dec 13 – Adult Christmas Dinner at Open Door Baptist
- Dec 14 – Tom’s Doctrinal Defense
- Dec 15 – WSBC Steering Committee Mtg
- Dec 19-20 – Youth Group Christmas Event
- Dec 20-27 – Kristen’s Parents Stay for Christmas
- Dec 21 – WSBC Children’s Christmas Program
- Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Service
- Jan 4 – WSBC Vote on the Two Proposals
Our Mission Statement:
Through the grace of God and His word, the redemptive works of Christ, and the sanctifying efforts of the Holy Spirit, we encourage and equip the body of Christ in order to ensure its members, both near and far, are enduring in the lifelong work of glorifying God and discipling faithful men and women who will be entrusted to continue this work until our Lord and Savior returns.
We are passionate for the local church. We desire to see churches disciple their members to grow in adoring Him, loving one another, sharing the hope of the gospel, and living transformed lives.
