Downing has faithfully served the ministry for almost ten years.  In that time, he has facilitated over 40 national/international Embers to a Flame conferences, led numerous Spiritual Foundation Retreats for churches desiring spiritual growth, and shepherded dozens of  churches through our coaching ministry, Fanning the Flame.

The Embers To A Flame Ministry has announced the retirement of Rev. Lynn Downing. Rev. Downing has faithfully served the ministry for almost ten years.  In that time, he has facilitated over 40 national/international Embers to a Flame conferences, led numerous Spiritual Foundation Retreats for churches desiring spiritual growth, and shepherded dozens of  churches through our coaching ministry, Fanning the Flame.  The Lord has graciously used Rev. Downing over the years to encourage and assist pastors in various denominations in the United States and abroad to move their churches to spiritual health and vitality.

Dr. Harry Reeder, III, Senior Pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church and founder of the Embers to a Flame Ministry, says of Rev. Downing:

One of the crucial principles in the ministry of church revitalization as taught through the Embers to a Flame ministry is the importance of leadership that is not only dependable and faithful but also given by leaders who multiply and mobilize other leaders.  That principle has been gloriously modeled by Rev. Lynn Downing, the Executive Director of Embers to a Flame.  The Lord brought Lynn out of his first retirement as pastor of Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church – which had gone through the Embers ministry – into the leadership of Embers to a Flame.  He has not only enhanced the ministry but has expanded it and sharpened its effectiveness in a way that is consistent with Lynn’s persistent, unassuming, yet visionary leadership.  Lynn, now moving into his second retirement, will not simply be missed but will be a reason for us to give thanks to the Lord for this Christ-centered, Gospel-saturated, Spirit-filled churchman.  For me, one of the greatest blessings is Lynn’s commitment to remain connected and engaged in the ministry as we build on his legacy leadership for the future.

Joe Weatherly, the senior coach for Fanning the Flame, describes Rev. Downing as an exceptional leader with vision. As an example of Rev. Downing’s leadership, Mr. Weatherly says, “After several years of training individuals to coach churches in the local church, Lynn had the vision to replicate the Fanning the Flame ministry at a denominational level.  This meant encouraging denominations to develop a department of revitalization and to identify people within their ranks to be trained as Fanning the Flame coaches.  As a result, several denominations have begun departments of revitalization, and we have been blessed to train several well-respected, godly men as coaches within those denominations.  Praise God, this work continues.”

“On a personal level, God has blessed me richly to not only be a servant in Lynn’s camp, but also to know him as my brother, my friend and my confidant. What a blessing to have a friend like Lynn!”

As Rev. Downing focused more on working with other denominations and moving them toward forming their own departments of revitalization, he developed strong relationships with other denominational leaders.  One of those denominational leaders was Tim Campbell, former Executive Director of the Arkansas Free Will Baptist Association and current pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

Upon hearing of Rev. Downing’s retirement, Pastor Campbell had this to say, “In our faith tradition, we call men of God ‘Brother.’  I have never been able to call Brother Lynn Downing by his first name.  Whether he is praying, teaching, preaching, or just in casual conversation, you sense that he has been with the Master.  Only eternity will reveal how helpful and influential he has been to the Free Will Baptist movement and to the overall ministry of revitalization.  Whether he is speaking or working behind the scenes, his concern is the health and vitality of the Church.  It is a great honor to call him my dear friend and brother in Christ.  Plus, he laughs at my jokes and rides motorcycles.”

Briarwood Presbyterian Church honored Rev. Downing and thanked him for his service at a reception on Sunday, May 21.  Rev. Downing and his wife, Dianne, will make their retirement home in French Camp, Miss., where they will continue to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He ordains.

The Embers to a Flame ministry will go forward with its mission — For God’s glory, we promote spiritual health in churches throughout the world by applying biblical strategies for church vitality. Dr. Harry Reeder will continue leading Embers to a Flame conferences and teaching from God’s word the three-fold paradigm for church revitalization:  Remember – Repent – Recover.  As Dr. Ligon Duncan, Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, has noted, “If we want our churches to be alive, vibrant, and growing, they have to be grounded in the Word of God.  At the Embers to a Flame conference, Harry Reeder mines the Word of God in order to supply pastors and church leaders with strategies that lead to church health….”  Praise God for His faithfulness.

Rev. Joseph Franks will assume Rev. Downing’s position as Church Revitalization Pastor.  Rev. Franks is the former senior pastor of Palmetto Hills Presbyterian Church, Simpsonville, SC.