Below is my letter announcing my call to St. John the Divine Church in Houston, TX:
29 June 2017
Dear St. Peter’s Church Family and Friends,
Grace and peace to you through God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
After a full and fruitful ministry of experiencing and sharing the joy and love of Jesus Christ with you, I am announcing my resignation as the Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. My last Sunday with you will be August 13, 2017—exactly 16 years. I have accepted the call to be the Associate Rector focused on teaching and formation at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas.
These years with you have been a grand venture in faith. We began our time together in grief as the nation faced the horror of the September 11, 2001 attacks. As a nation, we went to war against terrorism. As a church, we strengthened our faith and resolve in Christian witness knowing that while our country responded in war with military might against the ‘evil doers’ who caused such harm, we engaged in spiritual warfare with spiritual might against the forces of hell itself.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. –Matthew 16:18
Beloved of St. Peter’s, you are the Rock. Your faith and confession in Jesus Christ is rock solid. I have been continually amazed at how the Lord has used you to tear down the gates of hell. You have engaged in gospel mission to Honduras, hurricane relief in Pass Christian, MS, homeless ministry in Sanford and evangelism and Christian formation in Lake Mary, FL. God has been and is doing great things in and through you to bring about the reign of the Kingdom of God in our time. It has been my privilege, honor and love to be your Rector standing with you in faithful confession on the rock of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
So, in mid-August, my son Chase will be heading off to college at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Brooke, Ashton, Saxon and I will be moving that week to Houston. St. John the Divine has envisioned what they call an “audacious strategy” to develop a “world-class teaching center for faith formation and ministry development”. This is a very exciting challenge for me to serve with my spiritual gifts and calling. The Lord is doing great things, and we are humbled and privileged to be invited to serve in this new context.
I ask for your prayers in this transition and please know that you will always continue in my heart and prayers. I have nothing but gratitude and love for all of you and for God’s abundant life of grace with which we have communed together. We are truly blessed by you.
I am faithfully yours in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Charlie Holt+
Greetings Charlie!
I’m a bit behind the news; I felt impressed this morning to listen to one of your sermons via the St. Peter’s website and was stunned to see you were resigning but then thrilled when I read about your new calling on this blog.
Due to my financial situation I have moved many times since I was a member of St. Peters and am now in Deland, the same town where my parents live. I have thought many, many times of St. Peters – its members and the love I was always shown. I think the Lord placed me there during a period of tumult in my life and St. Peters was a sure anchor. I won’t go into detail here but please know you and St. Peters played a huge part in my coming back to the Lord.
Here in Deland the Lord directed me to a Calvary Chapel fellowship. We are very small, maybe 15 people meet regularly, but are truly a family. The fellowship is such a blessing to me and I pray I may be a blessing to them.
God bless you, Brooke, and your family as you embark on your new journey. You are remembered with joy and fondness always,
Rahla
Dear Father Charlie,
It was with some sadness of heart we learned of your upcoming move to Houston. Thank you for the wonderful input you have had in Brent and Emily’s lives and the lives of their children as well. God has used you and St. Peter’s to bring healing and encouragement to each of them. We are so very grateful to the Lord for this. We too have benefited from your ministry especially through your writings.We are praying blessing on you and your family in this new ministry.
Blessings in His Name,
John and Kay Tallman
We are so happy for you all and know St. John the Divine will be blessed by you and your lovely Brooke.
We will miss you in Central FL.
Love & Blessings, fHs
Mary & Al Cole