In the latter part of 2011 Mike Pinkerton resigned and the church was left with out a pastor. Steve Welling. the Executive Director of the Columbia Baptist Conference (Converge North West), came to the congregation and said he had a person in mind to be an interim pastor for the church until a Senior Pastor could be called. The church was in need of some spiritual guidance. Jim and Janet Visbeek came to Temple and suggested to us what needed to be done to get back the church back to where it is growing fruit. They said they would be willing and available with the help of the membership, to undertake the task for us. The membership voted to call Jim and Janet to guide us through process ahead. He has assumed the title of Intentional Interim Pastor. Jim preached his first sermon at Temple on August 7, 2011.
"A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and
he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the
man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look
for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any, Cut it down! Why should it use
up the soil?'
"'Sir, "the man replied, 'leave it alone for one
more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next
year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
From Luke 13:6-9
Pastor Jim has been our Advocate and has stepped in to work the soil for a season and fertilize it to see whether there will be fruit or not. He can't do the job alone as it is the job of everyone on the church to earnestly ask God to begin to turn over the soil of every heart and begin to remove the stones and weeds and give us good soil once again.
Reverend Jim and Janet Visbeek have a passion for ministry, a love for people, and heart to see others connect with Jesus Christ and his church. Prior to full time ministry, Jim was a business person in the electrical and automation industry. Jim and Janet have been married 37 years, raised 3 children: Dawne, Aaron, and Renee, all married, and have given the gift of 3 grandchildren. In 2002, Both Jim and Janet sensed the call of God to ministry and attended Seminary, graduating in 2006 together.
Jim attended Lynden Christian, Whatcom Community College, University of Washington, and received Masters Degrees on Christian Leadership from Trinity Western University and ACTS Seminary. Jim was ordained in March 18,of 2010. Jim has served in a number of ministries in intentional transitional leadership and as a pastor. He has received training in Biblical Counseling with the National Association of Nouthetic Counseling and transitional organizational leadership with Church Resource Ministries. He serves a member of the Church Health Leadership Team of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and has been a team member in numerous churches in restoring them to health and refocus on Jesus Christ. He has also been involved in leadership in numerous community groups and nonprofit organizations.
Janet attended Bellingham High School, Whatcom Community College, Trinity Western University and ACTS Seminary. She received her Masters in Chaplaincy. She has served on the board of Support Officers of Whatcom Counseling and serves as a chaplain. She is completing her certification with the National Association of Nouthetic Counseling as a Certified Biblical Counseling. She is also a trained Healing Hearts leader, working with women who have suffered challenging circumstances. She loves women, family, and is passionate about marriage.
Jim loves fishing, golf, woodworking and sailing. Janet loves activity, crafting, sewing, and cycling. Together, Jim and Janet look forward to strengthening the families of Victory Christian Fellowship through stronger marriages, children, and leadership development of men and women who are willing to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
He is and is now Senior Pastor at Victory Christian Fellowship in Lynden, Washington.
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