Upon evaluation of my current health situation and my time commitments with JEMS, I have decided not to renew my 2018 contractual agreement with the West LA Holiness Church. My responsibilities there involved preaching once every other month and teaching a weekly Bible study. I wrote a letter of appreciation to the church for allowing me the opportunity to serve there over the last three years.
Dear friends,
It has been my great pleasure to serve the church family in West Los Angeles. I have communicated with the board and Pastor Brian of my intention to focus my effort and attention on my workload at JEMS from next month forward. The combination of health concerns and the danger of overextending myself has made it difficult for me to extend my contract at West LA for 2018.
Therefore, in addition to ending my bi-monthly preaching commitment, I will also be closing out my Thursday night Bible study responsibilities effective March 15th as I prepare for my upcoming April South America missions trip.
It was my privilege to serve you as interim pastor at West LA from April 2015 to June 2016, and then as part of Pastor Brian's ministry team from July 2016 to March 2018. I appreciate so much your patience with me. I regret not having fulfilled many of the objectives that I set out to do upon my arrival in West LA. After my return from South America at the end of April, I will be exploring worship and fellowship opportunities a bit closer to home and in keeping with my JEMS travel and ministry schedule.
May God bless you all and the ministry of the West LA Holiness Church.
It has been my honor to know and serve together with you.
Thank you,
John Katagi
