A Special Announcement from Pastor Jim
Dear Resonate Members,
It has been one of the great joys of my life to serve as Executive Pastor here at Resonate over the past three years. When I first stepped into this role, I sensed God calling me to help plow new ground, plant new seeds, and strengthen the roots of this church for the future. Looking back, I can’t believe what God has done in these short three years, and I am grateful to see His faithfulness in the fruit that is already beginning to grow. Together we have built new systems and structures, launched new campuses, brought on new team members and made many changes that will enable Resonate to see the 1% vision become a reality. I could not be more thankful for my time here.
Over the past year, the Lord has also been doing a deep work in me personally. Through prayer, wise counsel, and honest reflection, I’ve come to see that while I love Resonate deeply, my wiring and gifting are better expressed not as an executive pastor within one church, but as someone who comes alongside leaders and teams to encourage, exhort, and help them flourish. In many ways, God has been clarifying that I am more of a pioneering practitioner than a long-term manager. This is both exciting and humbling, and I want to respond faithfully to where He is leading.
Because of this, I will be stepping out of my role at Resonate in order to give myself fully to this new season of ministry. My heart is to strengthen pastors, churches, and networks—helping them see their potential and achieve it. While that means my vocational path is changing, my love for Resonate and my belief in this church’s future has only grown stronger. Lord willing, we will be able to stay on as members of Resonate (it’s an expensive place to live), continuing to be ambassadors and champions of the mission and vision serving in different areas.
I especially want to honor Pastor Ryan. Before coming to Resonate, I believed God had placed a unique mantle of leadership on his life for this season in the Bay Area and beyond. Having now witnessed it up close, I believe it even more. It has been a privilege to encourage and exhort Ryan in that calling, and I am grateful not only to have served alongside him, but also to have benefited from his heart for the gospel as it has been displayed in discipleship, hospitality, and generosity.
Thank you for welcoming me and Heather into this community, for the friendships we’ve built, and for the privilege of serving together. Though my role will change, my gratitude and affection for you all, and for Resonate remain, and I look forward to seeing how God continues to use this church to display His love and glory. I truly believe the best days for Resonate are ahead as we continue to plant churches and see His kingdom come across the Bay. In this, I have been and will continue to be “all in”.
Love,
Pastor Jim Applegate
Also available as Markdown.