Pastor Todd Forrest and his wife, Debbie, recently left the position of pastoring Fountain Hills Christian Center after serving for nearly a decade.

The board and congregation issued a statement last week in which they expressed gratitude to the Forrests for their dedication to the church and Fountain Hills community.

The couple came to the church in 2010.

The statement included the following entry:

“We can join with one family in stating, ‘He was the reason our family came to FHCC.’ He went out of his way to make us feel at home and started a youth group for our sons. He was passionate when he did, and his fervor was to bring you to God. We will miss him.’”

The statement recognized that Todd “demonstrates the value of excellence in preparation and execution. He manifests the attributes of a true shepherd. His organizational skills are extraordinary.

“He is an outside-the-box thinker, starting ministries such as our Monday morning drive-through prayer, which continues to minister weekly in the parking lot.

“His energy while holding down two jobs was nothing sort of amazing.”

Forrest taught at Grand Canyon University while pastoring at the church.

“He set the example on how to deal with adversities with levelheaded resoluteness, positive thinking and a devoted love for our church,” continued the statement.

The congregation acknowledged “with a degree of sadness” the passing of an era of the church with the Forrests’ departure.

“Thank you, Pastor Todd and Debbie, for getting us to where we are today.”