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Dear Calvary Family, 

I’m looking forward to you hearing from a new friend of mine this Sunday, Pastor Ivan Pitts of Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana. Ivan and I started hanging out over the last year after a mutual friend said, “Hey, you are both pastors in Santa Ana - you should meet up!” So we did and we’ve loved connecting over food, over jokes, and over some heavy conversations.

Ivan has been the Senior Pastor of Second Baptist for 9 years and was a pastor in Connecticut before that. He’s also served in the Navy and worked in the corporate world. This breadth of experience gives him a unique wisdom that also connects well with people from all different backgrounds. You’ve probably heard me talk about the Conversation with Friends livestream events we have been doing together. These conversations were Pastor Ivan’s idea and I have loved being part of that with him. These are available to watch on-demand - Click Here

I’ve asked Pastor Ivan to come speak on our next passage of scripture - 2 Timothy 1:8-12, but I also anticipate that he will be able to speak from his perspective on how the events of this last week and year have impacted him as an African American man and pastor leading a historically black church in Santa Ana. Our primary focus is on Christ and the word of God, but we live out our faith in a real world with real issues and that looks different for each one of us. I’m grateful to have a friend who helps challenge me in healthy ways to live out my faith in the way that God has uniquely called me. I think you will be grateful for that this Sunday as well.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Eric