CityBridge,

I will never forget the time I went to my first dance. It was the 8th grade, end-of-the-year dance, in the cafeteria. I bought a new pair of shoes, a dress shirt, and a tie. I looked good … I thought. I showed up, walked through the door, and everything after that was brutally awkward. It was more painful than a visit to the dentist. I stood on one side of the room with a group of guys, almost the entire night, before working up enough nerve to ask a girl to dance. She said yes … I couldn’t believe it. I expected her to decline. I hadn’t prepared myself for a “yes.” I didn’t know how to dance. Like I said … it was brutal … toes getting stepped on, bumping heads, not making eye contact. I didn’t even really know the girl that well. I had waited so long, this was my only dance, and the night was over. It was awkward, yet exciting, all at the same time.  

Transitions to new leadership can feel like an awkward dance with a partner you barely know. You aren’t sure who is supposed to do what. You don’t know each other really well. It can feel awkward and bumpy. I write this first message to begin the process of getting to know one another and building a relationship. My prayer is that God will supernaturally “knit our hearts together in love” (Colossians 2:2) in the months ahead and relieve some of the awkwardness along the way.

I am wholeheartedly convinced that God has called my family to CityBridge. His leading and direction has been evident at each stop along this search process. We could not be more excited and expectant to join the incredible gospel work that is already impacting the community through CityBridge. From the moment I first learned about the opportunity to serve this church, I sensed an undeniable passion to reach the lost, engage the community, make disciples, and care in the love of Jesus Christ. I knew that I had to be a part of this movement.

My single focus in these first months will be to just LOOK, LISTEN, and LOVE. I cannot wait to grab coffee or some chicken wings, meet you and your family, wherever life happens, and hear your story and hearts. What excites you about our church? What burdens you? What do you long to see God do here in our midst? These are not just questions for a new pastor—they’re the questions of a living, breathing, Spirit-led church, discerning its future together. I want to discover the culture of CityBridge, hear what God is doing, and dream alongside you of opportunities to come.

I believe that the local church is one of God’s most powerful tools for transformation in the world. CityBridge is already impacting lives, not only within our walls, but in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and beyond. I am sure there will be challenges ahead. Every church throughout all of redemptive history has had them. But I trust that with God at the center, with love as our foundation, and with unity in Christ as our aim, we will overcome every obstacle and thrive—not for our own glory, but for His. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:16, “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” I am convinced that every single one of you has a vital part to play in this body. My family is excited to join and play our part.

We are so thankful to the staff, leadership, and elders for their genuine kindness and making my family feel cared for. It is a real reflection of Christ in the body. We will see you soon, but in the meantime, know that I have and will continue to pray for you. I ask that you pray for my family as we navigate the busyness of a major transition, sell/buy a home, and continue to comfort a saddened church here in Louisiana. Pray that God would grant me wisdom, patience, courage, and humility for each new day. Maybe also lift prayers to help me prepare to endure all of the comments I am sure I will hear concerning all of my purple and gold LSU attire. HA!

I cannot wait for our first time to worship with you. See you soon.

In HIM,

Brad Kirby