St. Ansgar (Iowa) Baptist Church ordained Aaron Moore, pastor of the church since 2014.
Aaron invited his brother Stephen to speak during the ordination service March 1. Stephen is pastor of Ballard Creek Church in Huxley, Iowa, a church planted in 2022 by the Engage Network, a ministry started by Saylorville Church in Des Moines to multiply churches and leaders.
Aaron had the privilege of completing his pastoral internship under the leadership of Stephen, who pastored two rural Iowa churches for 17 years before ministering at Ballard Creek.
“Being 10 years my senior in ministry, [Stephen] has often warned me of the pitfalls of youth in ministry and sought to turn me to practices beyond my years,” Aaron told the congregation. “In times of doubt, discouragement, and desire to give up, he has lovingly reminded me of four words: preach, pray, love, stay.”
Also participating in the service was Dan Eloe, pastor of First Baptist Church, Waverly, Iowa, and a friend of Aaron’s in ministry.
Delivering a charge to Aaron, Dan gave him several pieces of Biblical advice, including “Remember your why.”
“Don’t ever lose sight of the purpose of your existence,” Dan said to Aaron. “Before you’re a pastor, you are first a created being designed by God to give and bring Him glory. . . . Your task, your job as a created being, a child of God, and a pastor is not to make a name for yourself, but instead to shine light on God and His glorious name so that He alone in His name is praised and honored.”
With deacons and ordained men around Aaron, his dad led the church in prayer.
