An expression of gratitude... Saturday, May 30, 2009

Below is a letter of thanks I wrote to my church on the occasion of graduation last week:

An Expression of Gratitude
to Ambassador Presbyterian Church
on the Occasion of my Graduation from
Reformed Theological Seminary on
the Twenty-Third Day of May, Two Thousand and Nine

I want to first give thanks to the Lord God who, in his divine providence, has seen fit to call a sinner such as myself into the service of his kingdom for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also want to thank him for giving me a wonderful wife who has stood by me and has given so much of herself so that we could go on this journey together. In her, I have been given so much more than I could have ever imagined.

I also want to thank the session of Ambassador who has faithfully supported and guided me through my seminary studies. Your prayers, guidance, and provision have been a true blessing to me. Thank you for being obedient to God’s word by faithfully upholding and sending those such as myself who have been called to such a task. I especially want to thank Warren for his counsel, his prayer, and most importantly, his example. It is a privilege to strive to imitate him as he imitates Christ.

To the people of Ambassador Presbyterian Church, I give you my deepest and most heartfelt thanks. When God called Megan and I here almost five years ago, we left all the comforts of home and family and came to a place where we knew no one. Yet, you lovingly took us in and showed us great love and hospitality, so much that we now call this place “home”. Your friendship, love, encouragement, and prayers have truly given us a greater understanding of what it means to belong to the body of Christ. Thank you for giving so much of yourselves to us. May God continue to bless you as you faithfully serve him and his kingdom!

I am your grateful friend and brother in the Lord,
Dan Layman
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3