Pastoral Transition Updates
Thank you for journeying with us in prayer.
Check back here often for the latest updates in our Lead Pastor search and transition.
Updates
A LETTER FROM PASTOR JON AND TAMMY DUPIN
On August 10, in our Sunday services, Tammy and I shared with you one of the most faith-filled announcements of our lives: after much prayer and discernment, we believe our season of leading Waymaker.Church and our time in Lynchburg is coming to an end.
For the past year, we have both been seeking the Lord about what’s next. Through that process, we’ve reached a clear but bittersweet conclusion. This church has been our life’s work and joy for nearly 27 years. It’s where we’ve grown in our marriage, our calling, and our family. We’ve seen God move through both victories and valleys, and Waymaker will always be home.
It was Memorial Day weekend when I sensed God say, “Get ready.” At first, we thought it meant preparing our house, but we soon realized God was asking us to prepare this house, Waymaker.Church, for what’s next.
A couple of weeks later, we were invited to consider a new opportunity that stirred our hearts. Though that opportunity has since closed, the Holy Spirit made it obvious: it was time to start passing the torch. We knew, even then, that the purpose of that moment wasn’t about a destination. It was about the direction God was leading us.
This journey has felt less like Moses at the burning bush and more like Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 12, stepping into the unknown with only God’s promise of presence. Although the details of our next assignment are still uncharted, we are confident that God is calling us into a new season. We believe it will involve strengthening families while continuing to serve the broader Church at its heart.
That said, we are not launching immediately. We will be here for this next season to help lead through the transition. We will continue to serve in our current roles, leading the staff, guiding the congregation, and supporting the Elder Team as we move forward together.
In the days ahead, the Elder Team and I will share a timeline for the Lead Pastor search process. We want to walk this journey with complete transparency, humility, and faith. You can start visiting the church update page to stay informed and see how you can specifically pray and participate during this transition.
And we want to invite you into this process, fully. This is a time for us as a church family to draw near to God together. Join us in a season of prayer and fasting as we seek His wisdom, His peace, and His provision for the future. Pray for the Elder Team as they lead. Pray for the future leader of this church. Pray for unity, clarity, and an outpouring of God’s Spirit on all that is to come.
Here are three ways we believe every Waymaker can walk through this season together:
- Pray – Ask God to lead and unify us. Lift up the Elder Team, staff, future leaders, and one another.
- Prepare – Ready your heart for what’s ahead. Ask God how He is calling you to grow, serve, and lead in this new season.
- Participate – Stay connected. Engage fully on Sundays, in small groups, through serving, and by attending special prayer moments.
We love you. We believe in the future of this church. And we’re honored to finish this season faithfully, with gratitude and hope.
With love and anticipation,
Pastor Jon and Tammy Dupin
PRAYER JOURNEY
Join us as we fast and pray during this transitional season.
A Spirit of Wisdom and Discernment for Our Elders
James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” God we pray for you to pour out a spirit of wisdom and discernment on our elders. God as they lead our church through this pastoral transition, may they lead with clarity, grace, and insight that comes through the Holy Spirit. Help them to navigate these decisions with peace and have confidence in the Spirit’s guidance. Strengthen them to be pillars of truth and love in our church during this season.
Unity Within Our Church Family
Psalm 133:1 — “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
God we pray for deep unity within our church family amidst this season of transition. Remove any barriers that divide and replace them with bonds of love, understanding, and mutual respect. May we be willing to sacrifice preferences and personal desires to pursue love. God, continue to grow us to be one in spirit and purpose, reflecting Your heart to the world. Let this season be a testimony of unity, grace, and love.
Trust in God’s Direction
Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
God, during this season of pastoral transition we place our trust in you. We acknowledge that Jesus, not a human leader, is the head of the church. Teach us to trust your direction even when the path is unclear. Help us to lean not on our own understanding but to acknowledge you in every step of this process. May your Spirit guide us with peace and assurance, knowing You are faithful to lead us where we need to go. Strengthen our hearts to follow you boldly.
Gratitude for What God has Done, and Celebration of What He is Doing
Psalm 126:3 "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
God, we celebrate your faithfulness, provision, and work in this season. Even in a season of transition, we rejoice in the new and deeper ways you are moving among us. Open our eyes to be sensitive to your movement and our hearts to embrace it fully. May we celebrate growth, transformation, and fresh revelation with joy and gratitude. God, we continue to be expectant of the new and deeper in every season of our church.
Dreams and Visions for Our Current and Future Leaders
Joel 2:28 — “Your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
God, we pray for divine dreams and visions to be poured out on both Pastor Jon and Tammy and our future pastor. Inspire them with heavenly insight and bold imagination for what you desire for their and our future. May they lead with courage, creativity, and a deep connection to your Spirit. Equip and prepare them to shape a future rooted in your kingdom and guided by your spirit.
Q&A
After much prayer and discernment, Pastor Jon and Tammy Dupin shared that their season of leading Waymaker.Church and their time in Lynchburg is coming to a close. While the specific direction is still unfolding, they believe God is clearly calling them into a new season of ministry, and they will remain fully present during this transition to lead, support, and strengthen the church.
While the timeline may feel surprising, Pastor Jon and Tammy have been discerning this for over a year. They believe the Holy Spirit has made it clear that now is the right time to begin passing the baton
No, Pastor Jon and Tammy are not leaving immediately. They will continue to serve in their current roles, leading the staff, guiding the congregation, and supporting the Elder Team throughout this next season to ensure a healthy, Spirit-led transition.
While there’s no rigid timeline, the Elder Team and Pastor Jon will share a clear process in the coming weeks. The goal is to move at the pace of God’s peace, faithfully and thoughtfully, so the church and its next leader are both fully prepared.
The Elder Team, along with Pastor Jon, will be prayerfully guiding the Lead Pastor search process. A timeline and updates will be shared soon, and you can begin visiting this page to stay informed and see how you can pray and participate.
The Elder Team, in prayerful partnership with Pastor Jon, trusted leaders, and advisors, will oversee a Spirit-led search and discernment process. The goal is not to rush, but to clearly recognize the person God is calling to lead Waymaker.Church into its next chapter.
To faithfully hand off the leadership of Waymaker.Church through a Spirit-led, elder-guided, and congregationally supported process, so that the mission and future of the church move forward with unity, clarity, and fresh momentum under the next Lead Pastor God is preparing.
We invite every Waymaker to commit to the Three P’s:
Pray – For the Elder Team, for unity, and for the next leader God is preparing.
Prepare – Ask God how He is forming and positioning you for this new season.
Participate – Be present, engaged, and invested. Step in—not back.
Share Your Thoughts and Gratitude
Over their 27 years as leaders of Waymaker.Church, Pastor Jon and Tammy's faithfulness have made a way for so many to encounter Jesus. Take a moment to tell them your thoughts, stories, and memories over the last 27 years.