“I’m so thankful for all the ways God has moved through this church family over the years. And I believe with all my heart that the best is still yet to come. Being a part of this community and of this great church family, is one of the greatest joys of our lives. My wife, Terry, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of both in the days ahead.” – Pastor Phillip
Transition Team Update November 2025
The Transition Team, together with the Elders, has completed the final interviews with the two remaining candidates for the position of Senior Pastor at Cedar Creek Church. We continue to prayerfully seek God’s guidance as we discern who will lead our congregation in this next season.
Please join us in praying for wisdom, unity, and discernment for both the Transition Team and the Elders as we enter the final phase of this process.
The search began with over 90 applications. From there, 9 candidates were invited for meet-and-greet sessions, and the group was narrowed to 4. Those 4 then participated in in-depth interviews with the Transition Team, from which 2 finalists were selected. These 2 candidates were subsequently interviewed by Executive Director Nat Gifford, Senior Pastor Phillip Lee, and the Elders.
As we near the conclusion of this search, Pastor Phillip has stepped back from the decision-making process. He asks that we all continue to pray for the Transition Team and Elders, that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide our hearts and minds.
While there is no fixed timeline, once a final candidate is chosen, they will have the opportunity to preach before the congregation. All covenant members will then be invited to vote on and approve the new Senior Pastor.
Thank you for your continued prayers and faith as we seek God’s will for Cedar Creek Church.
FAQs
Cedar Creek Church: Senior Pastor Transition
After 26 years of faithful service, Pastor Phillip has prayerfully discerned that it’s time to enter a new season of life and leadership. This decision comes after much prayer, conversation, and reflection with his family and our church leadership.
His official retirement date is May 17, 2026.
Pastor Phillip will continue leading, preaching, and serving through the next year. A search process is underway to identify our next Senior Pastor, with the goal of a smooth, Spirit-led transition.
The new Senior Pastor is expected to begin preaching consistently starting in December 2025/January 2026. This overlap allows time for shared leadership and a healthy hand-off.
This special Sunday (date to be announced) will mark the symbolic transition between Pastor Phillip and the incoming Senior Pastor, celebrating the past and looking ahead to the future.
Our Transition Team will oversee the search process. The transition team has gathered input from our staff and leadership team.
The Senior Pastor job profile will be available on our church website and shared with trusted ministry networks beginning June 2, 2025.
We will provide monthly updates through our church newsletter and a dedicated transition page on our website: www.cedarcreekchurch.net/transition
The congregation will be actively involved and regularly informed throughout the search and transition process—through monthly updates, opportunities to pray for the transition team, and moments to offer encouragement. At the conclusion of the search, there will be a congregational vote of all members of Cedar Creek Church to confirm the Transition Team’s recommendation for our next Senior Pastor.
Pray for:
– Wisdom and discernment for the transition team
– Peace and clarity for Pastor Phillip and his family
– God’s chosen leader for Cedar Creek’s next chapter
– Unity, hope, and trust within our church family
Feel free to reach out to the Transition Team via email, transitionteam@cedarcreekchurch.net, for any questions, conversations, or prayer requests related to the transition. The transition team includes Don and Cheri Nesbit, Chad and Sophie Kelly, and Greg and Angela Ziel.
Transition Team
Feel free to reach out to the Transition Team via email, transitionteam@cedarcreekchurch.net, for any questions, conversations, or prayer requests related to the transition. The transition team includes Don and Cheri Nesbit, Chad and Sophie Kelly, and Greg and Angela Ziel.
Please pray for and encourage this team as they steward this season of transition at Cedar Creek Church.
Greg & Angela Ziel
Transition Team
Don & Cheri Nesbit
Transition Team
Chad & Sophie Kelly
Transition Team