REST, RESILIENCE, AND RETIREMENT

Hello Dear Friends!

We last touched base in June, and since then several significant things have transpired in our family life!  But before I share our stories, I want to thank you for the privilege of your support, encouragement, and prayers! You have been very kind to our family, and we are honoured to call you “friend.”

Melanie, Mom and Nieces on an Alaska Excursion

Here are three significant updates:

REST: The Lord recently granted us beautiful rest on our holidays in early September! Melanie enjoyed some time with her mom and nieces on an Alaskan cruise. It was on her mom’s life-long bucket list.  They enjoyed several excursions to witness the wonder of God’s creation. Melanie says it was majestic and the time away made Melanie feel close to God!

Cancun Mexico

At the same time, Phil went with the boys to Cancun Mexico. Phil needed rest after a busy summer of ministry and coaching soccer teams. The weather was warm, the scenery was beautiful and the food was exquisite!  When Phil first walked on the ocean beach, he was met by the majestic presence and peace of God!  It was holy and renewing!

Barry's Bay

For our second week of holidays, we all went up north to Barry’s Bay.  This was the place Phil’s mom and dad took the family for many years. Having recently buried Phil’s mom and with changing life schedules, we knew this was likely our last time at this place packed with tender and meaningful memories. We rested, reflected, grieved, and were comforted in the LORD. These updates are to appreciate the value of rest and times of reflection in a world that is fast-paced and demanding. Like many of you, we have pressures at work, challenges at home, and demands upon our lives that can make us weary in various ways.  Pray with us that we will continue to take time to rest and renew ourselves in Christ Jesus (Matthew 11:28)!

U10 MVP Reward

RESILIENCE: This past July, David had the opportunity to attend a Barça Academy Soccer Camp in Hamilton. We were incredibly encouraged to learn that he was recognized as one of the top three players in his age category.

As a result, David has been invited to Barcelona, Spain, this October for an exclusive 10-day training experience. Melanie and I will be travelling with him, where he’ll have the opportunity to train at a high level, develop his skills, and compete against professional youth teams.

We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and excited to see where God may be leading David. He has been given a gift and a passion for soccer, and as new opportunities continue to open before him, we want to be faithful and wise in how we navigate them. Please pray that God would guide David’s path, protect him, help him grow both as a player and as a young man, and give Melanie and me wisdom to recognize the doors He is opening and the ones He may be asking us to leave closed.

Jonathan continues to pursue his goals by working on a bronze medallion lifeguard training, providing childcare as an afterschool ministry, doing visual support in the church ministry, and raising funds for the Ride for Refuge (Oct 3).

Melanie and Phil

RETIREMENT: Over the past year, as our church has faced financial challenges and difficult budget decisions, I have spent considerable time in prayer and reflection about God’s calling for this next season of my life and ministry. Through that time of prayer, I have increasingly sensed God gently and faithfully leading me toward retirement—a season in which I can devote more time and care to my family, especially as my wife continues to experience limitations with her health. While this is a significant transition, I have come to it with a deep sense of peace, joy, and trust in God’s faithfulness. As Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

I recently shared this sense of calling with our church Deacons as we discussed the financial realities facing our congregation. In light of the need to fiscally downsize, I have prayerfully offered my willingness to retire. I do so not out of fear or discouragement, but with confidence that God is faithfully leading both me and our church into the next chapter. My desire is to serve our church well through this transition and to leave with gratitude for the privilege of serving God’s people. With that in mind, the Deacons and I agreed that I will complete my pastoral duties on Saturday, October 31, 2026. We intend to stay in Fort Erie and keep First Baptist Church Fort Erie our church family. Please pray for our church leadership and our family as we follow the LORD and navigate the joys and challenges before us.

Thank you so much for caring, encouraging us, and praying alongside us! Your prayers and support mean more to us than you know. As we step into this new season of life, we are trusting God to lead us each step of the way, knowing that He is faithful and that we never walk alone.

As Isaiah 41:13 beautifully reminds us, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” What a wonderful promise to hold onto as we look ahead with grateful hearts and hopeful spirits!

God willing, we will give you further updates in a couple months.  Until then, God bless and may the wonders of rest and refreshment be yours in Christ Jesus!

Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, and David Styles