Vote: Affirmed

Good Morning Graceland Church my name is Brandon Ratliff and this is my loving wife Sarah. I just want to say how thankful we are to be speaking to you today.

Sarah and I have been married for 16 years, we have 3 children, Madison 13, Emma 9, and Asher 5 years old, they keep us on our toes but are a huge blessing to us. We have been members of Graceland since 2016.

I know that I have not had the privilege to meet everyone, especially with a church of our size, so we wanted to take the time to share a little of who I am and why I aspire to be an Elder here at Graceland Church.

We love this church, Graceland is our home, and we desire to serve alongside the church body, to follow Jesus and be a church led by the word of God. Some of our favorite things is how Graceland serves the community and how it is a multigenerational church.

I was born and raised in a Bible believing family and at the age of 8 was saved and Baptized. I believe at that point in my life I was called to live for Christ and submit to his will for the rest of my life.

I desire to be in the word, learn from the Bible, being community with fellow christians, and held accountable by other Godly men.

When Sarah was at the age of 11 while doing dishes with her mom, during that time with her mom talking it became clear that she was lost and needed a savior, at that point she was adopted and became a child of God. She was born and raised in a Bible believing household her father has been a pastor for over 20 years. Both her mother and father set a great example of what it means to serve in the church, study the word, and love others well.

In regards to the qualifications that the Bible clearly lays out for us in 1st Timothy Ch. 3, I take it very seriously the qualifications Paul laid out for Elders in the church. I fully understand and take seriously the need to be above reproach, husband of one wife, sober-minded, self controlled, respectable, not quarrelsome and all other qualifications Paul has laid out.

I strive to manage my household well, teach my children, and lead them in a way that is pleasing to God.

One of the first qualifications that Paul talks about in Chapter 3 verse 1 is if anyone aspires to the office of overseer. I believe this is very important, it is the first thing mentioned. With much prayer I can say that we feel as though we are called to this role. But not just that, we understand the weight of this position and do not take lightly what we feel as though we have been called to do.

We are very thankful for this call, and we do not take it lightly. Sarah believes me to be a man of integrity and one that will lead with a humble heart. We are so excited for Graceland, the future, see the church grow, and continue to care for Southern Indiana. We are so thankful for the friendships and community that we have found here at Graceland, not only for us but for our children.

In Closing, Church we love you, and we have prayerfully sought after God’s will since being asked to consider this position. I am extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside each and every member of this church. I desire your prayers, by no means are we perfect, I understand the weight of being affirmed as an elder. My desire is that I will do Gods will, serve the church how he has called us to do, and we look forward to see what God is doing and continues to do in Southern Indiana.