Pastor Bret Moser will retire from pulpit after 15 years in Waitsburg

WAITSBURG – After nearly 19 years in ordained ministry, Waitsburg Presbyterian Church Pastor Bret Moser is retiring from the pulpit. Bret, along with wife Bethany, will move their family to Idaho where they will share a ministry "shepherding shepherds."

"We're working together to come alongside pastors, their spouses and families to offer help, encouragement and wisdom. If they need encouragement, are in crisis, or are suffering from isolation, which is a big issue, we want to offer support," Pastor Bret said.

Pastor Bret's retirement from the local congregation is effective the end of February but the couple said they have felt led in this direction for quite some time.

"It was mostly a spiritual sense that it was time to move on and do something else," Pastor Bret said.

The Mosers said that supporting other pastors and their families is something that had been on their hearts long before they heard about the Standing Stone ministry.

"We knew we really wanted to do something to help other pastors so they don't feel isolated and have someone to talk to," Bethany said. "I stumbled across their ministry last fall and realized this was exactly what we were looking for. The structure was already there and I loved that they are nondenominational so we can help anyone."

"Everything fell into place to indicate that this is what we should be doing," Pastor Bret said.

Standing Stone was developed to help ministry couples remain healthy by creating a safe, open and lasting relationship with a seasoned ministry couple. Pastor Bret and Bethany will attend a two-day training in February and will then begin packing 15 years of belongings for the move they call "a leap of faith."

The couple, and at least six of their eight children, will move to 20 acres of land that they purchased in Idaho, just south of St. Mary's, where they hope to build a large log home by year end.

The family has been developing the property over the last five to six years and has had a 2400 square foot shop built, which will serve as home base while they live in RVs. They plan to build a two-level 4800 square foot log home which will serve their family as children and extended family come and go over the years, Pastor Bret said.

"We sold 2.5 acres here for enough to buy 20 acres of timber land in Idaho," he said. They began heavy development of the property last year, and they currently have power, a well, a drain field and the shop.

Pastor Bret, with Bethany by his side, spent four years in pulpit ministry in Alaska before moving to Waitsburg nearly 15 years ago. Pastor Bret has spent more than 35 years in some form of Christian leadership.

The Mosers say the statistics for pastors and their families are disturbing. According to the 2016 Francis A. Shaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development survey:

58% of pastors feel they do not have any good true friends

27% have no one to turn to when they are facing a crisis

53% feel seminary had not properly prepared them for the task

57% can't pay their bills

35% battle depression

The Mosers will minister to those in need through, phone, teleconference, email and visitations.

Local prayer and financial support are welcome. To join the Prayer Warrior Team and receive regular updates, email Bret and Bethany at standingstonenw@gmail.com or text (509) 520-2649.

The Mosers are also responsible for raising financial support. To support the ministry, which is free to those in need, visit http://www.standingstoneministry.org and select "Help Us Serve/Shepherds in Training/Bret and Bethany Moser or mail checks directly to the ministry.

The Mosers would also gladly accept help in making the long move with their large family.

"It's going to take a lot of trailers!" Pastor Bret said.