Gloria often talks about “alphas” and “omegas” – and how often the end of one thing marks the beginning of another. That concept is definitely true in the life of Wesley Pritchard this summer. Recently, his dad retired as Senior Pastor the Fayetteville Community Church, which he pioneered in 1972. Wesley had served as Minister of Music since 1981, and the “omega” of his father’s season as senior pastor became an “alpha” with Wesley’s appointment as Senior Pastor. Everyone who knows Wesley knows what a wonderful heart he has for Christ and for people. For that reason we’re as happy for his church as we are for Wesley that he has accepted this new role!
“When my dad made the announced from the pulpit,” Wesley recalls, “He said ‘this is the hardest announcement I’ve ever had to make in my life… and the easiest announcement…’ At 75 years old, he was so proud to be able to pass along the responsibility of senior pastor to his son. I was actually installed as Senior Pastor on June 21 – Father’s Day – by my father. That was a very, very special day.”
Then he added, “The next day, my first Monday morning as Sr. Pastor, I woke up and said to my wife, Teresa, ‘What in the world have I done?!’ I’ve never been nervous about standing in front people to sing, but standing in front of the church to preach is a completely different story! …But what better thing can you do with your life than trying to make a difference for eternity?! That’s a huge responsibility, but being able to plant a seed in someone’s heart through the Word is quite a privilege, too! It’s a way to help create alpha and omega moments in others’ lives, for sure.”
On Tuesday evening, July 21st, exactly one month after he officially stepped into his role as Senior Pastor, Wesley had another life-changing new beginning! He was playing bass guitar in the house band at the Gaither Vocal Band’s video-taping in San Antonio when, during the sound check for “Alpha & Omega” the Vocal Band a message popped up on Wesley’s phone that his grandson had just been born! Wesley didn’t miss a note, but as soon as the sound check was over you should have seen him beaming and showing off the photo his family had sent him across the miles!
The baby’s name is Kanen Wyatt Pritchard, and he weighed in at 8 lbs, 9 oz and 22.5 inches long. Everyone at Gaither Music congratulates Wesley and his entire family on the beautiful new addition! May the rest of the year bring many more wonderful moments and new beginnings for the Pritchards!