Our Co-Pastor Process
Pastor Tim Rabon has served as the pastor of Beacon Baptist Church for 29 years, and he has served on the staff since 1981.
Over the last several years, Pastor Rabon has been asking the Lord to help him know how best to prepare the church for the future. He has sought counsel and had discussions with the Pastoral Staff, Deacons, and General Board regarding this succession plan, and he believes this is now the time for the church to move forward. It is Pastor Rabon's desire and belief that this process will provide security and stability as Beacon Baptist Church moves into the next generation of ministry.
During the Sunday evening service on September 28, Pastor Rabon preached a message titled, “A Season of Transition.”
During the service, the church elected a Pastoral Transition Committee to interview and evaluate the church’s current Youth Pastor, Brother Philip Rabon.
The intention of this process is for the committee to ultimately present Brother Philip Rabon to the church to serve as Co-Pastor and, when Pastor Rabon steps down from serving as pastor in the next 12 to 15 months, as Senior Pastor.
For those who were unable to be in the service or would like to hear the message again, the message is available below on this page.
Pastor Rabon would ask the church family to join him in prayer that God would superintend every part of this process and that His will would be accomplished.
About Philip Rabon
Philip Rabon has attended Beacon Baptist Church his entire life. He attended Raleigh Christian Academy and graduated in 2004. Philip and his wife, Nichole, were married in 2008 and have four children: Owen (14), Aubrey (12), Selah (9), and Ezra (3).
Philip has served on staff at Beacon Baptist Church for 18 years as our church’s Youth Pastor. In addition to his work with the youth ministry, Philip has regularly preached in the church and has had opportunities to minister from the pulpit to the entire church family. During his years of ministry, he has had the privilege to serve hundreds of young people and their families, teach and preach regularly, counsel and disciple, lead various ministries, and serve the people of Beacon Baptist Church.
Having grown up at Beacon and spent his adult life serving here, Philip has a deep familiarity with the church, its ministries, its people, and its mission. He and Nichole have a strong desire to continue serving the Lord and our church family for many years to come.
A Season of Transition
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions are provided to give clarity and understanding about our co-pastor process.
The Co-Pastor process is a prayerful and intentional approach to preparing for the future leadership of Beacon Baptist Church. Rather than waiting for a time of crisis, this process allows for training, continuity, and spiritual preparation over time. Transitions are part of Scripture, and Pastor Rabon seeks to do this with wisdom and intentionality.
Pastor Rabon has shared that this process has been developed through much prayer, study, and counsel. The goal is to handle the transition wisely and plan ahead so that the church remains strong and healthy for future generations, rather than reacting in a moment of uncertainty.
No. Pastor Rabon has clearly stated that he plans to continue serving as Senior Pastor throughout this season. This is not an immediate transition, but a long-term plan of 12-15 months that allows for continued leadership while also preparing for the future.
During this phase, the co-pastor will share in preaching and ministry leadership, learn administrative and organizational aspects of our church, and participate in leadership meetings and decision-making processes.
This time allows for hands-on training and a gradual transition of responsibility.
Our church voted to have a Pastoral Transition Committee that consists of 5 members of our church. They are in the process of interviewing and evaluating Brother Philip Rabon.
After their interview process is complete, they will return to the church with a recommendation to continue with Brother Philip Rabon or not. If they decide to move forward, a date will be announced for when the church will vote. This vote will be announced at least two Sundays in advance.
There will only be one vote. The vote is to place him as our Co-Pastor with the understanding that Brother Philip Rabon will become our Senior Pastor upon Pastor Rabon stepping down.
Our church family should pray for wisdom and unity. Trust the Lord and continue to move forward together in His will.