Ministry Update
Steve and Kristen Wynn
Associate Church Revitalizers, Smyrna, NY
December 2025
Hello Prayer Partners!
All today we have been praying for an Ohio friend. He’s been sending us updates as he waits patiently in the hospital. Today is the day his wife is receiving a heart transplant. They’ve waited a long time for this moment.
As I sit here working on our newsletter, I just received the most incredible message: “At 5:12pm, [her] new heart has started beating.” It’s humbling to see the Lord at work for this sweet couple. Answering their, and our, prayers. Today, my friend’s wife has a new heart! While I am so excited for them, I can’t help but think – someone had to lose their life in order for her to receive that new heart.
My mind is inescapably drawn to the words of Ezekiel, written a long time ago: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:26-28).
How often do we contemplate the cost paid in order for God to give us a new heart? Jesus knew what it would cost – and agreed to pay it anyway! I love what he says in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” It was the only way. We were that bad off. We had a heart of stone and needed a new one.
We had another moment of rejoicing this week. One of our friends that we’ve been sharing the gospel with received a new heart. She called out to Jesus and was saved! These are the words she texted to us: “I feel like a whole new person. For the first time, I’m not worried. I know now I’m not alone and will get through it!” It is such a privilege to experience in person what the angels rejoice over – another soul saved! Praise God for continuing to seek and save the lost.
May we be bold in sharing the glorious gospel because there are more out there waiting for a new heart!
What’s in progress?
Tom Taylor has been affirmed to begin pastoral ministry! In December, Tom defended his doctrinal statement in front of the church. Then, on January 4, the church family voted to license him. They also approved serving as an accountability church for Bible Baptist Church in New Hartford as they walk through revitalization. We rejoice with Tom and Shari, and are excited for what comes next!
West Smyrna Baptist Church
We’re in our tenth month of revitalization work at West Smyrna Baptist Church. Join us in praising the Lord for all He is accomplishing in His church:
- We are currently working through details of a potential revitalization extension plan, since the original agreement concludes at the end of February.
- We continue to work through our pastoral search process with our two pastoral applicants.
- We have completed our initial stages of the pastoral preparation procedure. We are now working with Tom to prepare him for short-term pastoral ministry at New Hartford.
- The church has voted in two new members. Welcome to the church family, Katrina and Crystal!
- This month we begin a sermon series on our roles and responsibilities.
- There are multiple discipleship and evangelistic endeavors occurring. We’re excited to share that one of the folks Kristen and I have been sharing Jesus with was saved this week!
Praise the Lord for our Christmas services! The children were adorable in the Christmas play, Hank shared the gospel, and we had a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service.
Jesse Palmiter taught one of our SENT Sunday School classes. Steve preached two Sundays in the book of Joshua to end 2025 and welcome 2026. The parsonage renovation is looking incredible! A new porch is complete, the kitchen cabinets are installed, and flooring is going down!
Constantia Center Baptist Church
The pastoral search committee has announced that they have a pastoral candidate – Praise the Lord! The candidate will come preach for two Sundays and answer further questions in the weeks ahead. If all goes well, the church family could vote in February. We rejoice with the church family for the Lord’s provision! On behalf of CCBC, thank you for your dedicated prayers for them for the past few years and please continue to pray as they potentially approach the end of their pastoral search.
Bible Baptist Church, New Hartford
A lot of exciting developments have occurred this past month!
- West Smyrna Baptist Church approved the proposal to serve as the head accountability church for Bible Baptist’s revitalization process for an initial period of six months. This role includes participation on the steering committee, prayer support, sending members to serve at the church (Tom & Shari), and helping cover financial costs related to the ministry of their sent members.
- The steering committee will have its second meeting next week to work out the upcoming components of the revitalization plan.
- Steve is continuing discipleship twice a month with BCP’s “Step B” Study. This involves equipping young men in the church to proctor a time of review and lead the church’s prayer meeting on alternating weeks.
Even in the face of lake effect snow, we’ve had many dedicated members come to our Friday night discipleship at Bible Baptist Church.
Steve was asked to be the guest speaker at Open Door Baptist Church’s adult Christmas party. Steve and Kristen had a lovely evening with the church family! Our teens had a great time at our Christmas Sleepover event. Pictured here is the gingerbread village decorating competition.
Faith Baptist Tabernacle, Sherburne
Our sending church pastor, J. Fischer, recently announced that he is candidating for another church. His family is currently at that church this week, participating in interviews and preaching this coming Sunday. Pray for the Fischers as they consider this ministry opportunity. Pray for the leadership of the church and our church family as they prepare for a potential pastoral transition.
It was a blessing to have Kristen’s parents here for Christmas! London is continuing to enjoy basketball. The snowfall in New York has been incredible this year! We loved having a white Christmas.
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.
- Praise God for the church family affirming the pastoral call in Tom’s life and his willingness to help Bible Baptist.
- Praise God for sister churches working together to strengthen one another.
- Praise God for supplying CCBC with a pastoral candidate.
- Praise God for saving our friend! Pray for her to grow in her faith as she is discipled.
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 Procedure with Tom & Shari.
- 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: Pray for the church family as they consider their pastoral candidate.
- Faith Baptist Tabernacle: Pray for the Fischers and church family in light of potential pastoral transition.
- 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
- Jan 2 – BBC Discipleship on Fridays
- Jan 4 – WSBC Member Meeting
- Jan 10 – WSBC Deacons Mtg
- Jan 13 – Bible Baptist Steering Committee Mtg
- Jan 15 – WSBC Steering Committee Mtg
- Jan 24 – FBT Deacons & Wives Dinner
- Feb 6-8 – Youth Group Snow Camp
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.
