A New Season at Fork Christian Church
Dear Fork Church Family,
Today we shared with the congregation that Pastor Bryan has accepted God’s call to serve as Lead Pastor at Vero Christian Church in Vero Beach, Florida.
This decision comes after months of prayerful discernment, counsel, and partnership between the elders of both churches. Bryan will continue leading Fork Christian Church through January, with his final Sunday on January 25, 2026.
We want you to hear this clearly: Fork Christian Church is healthy, united, and moving forward with confidence. Our mission—to help people find and follow Jesus—has not changed. The Unfinished Campaign continues as planned, our ministries remain strong, and God is actively at work among us.
As elders, we are unified and confident in God’s leading for both Bryan and Fork Christian Church. We have already engaged Vanderbloemen Search Group to guide us toward identifying our next Lead Pastor, and we trust the Lord completely in this next chapter.
We are also grateful to share that beginning in January, Don Mark Hamilton will serve as Interim Pastor at Fork Christian Church. Don brings decades of pastoral experience and will work closely with the elders and staff to provide steady leadership and continuity during this transition while we prayerfully seek our next Lead Pastor.
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)
We invite you to pray, stay engaged, and walk forward with faith and hope as God continues writing His story at Fork.
With gratitude and confidence in Christ,
The Elders of Fork Christian Church
Meet Interim Pastor Don Mark Hamilton
About Don
Dr. Don Mark Hamilton brings decades of faithful pastoral leadership, visionary ministry, and heartfelt preaching to Fork Christian Church during our interim season. After serving for 38 years as Lead Pastor of Vibrant Christian Church in Pennsylvania—guiding it from a small gathering of 40 to a thriving, multi-generational church of over 1,300—Dr. Hamilton offers wisdom shaped by experience, humility, and a deep love for the local church.
A gifted communicator, author, and mentor, his messages are both inspiring and practical, calling people to live Spirit-led, purpose-filled lives while grounding them in hope and truth. We are grateful for his steady leadership and look forward to learning from a pastor whose life and ministry reflect a passion for God, people, and communities transformed by Christ.
Frequent Asked Questions
Purpose
This FAQ is meant to provide clarity, reassurance, and hope as Fork Christian Church enters a new season —trusting the same God who has been faithful in the past to lead us forward.
After months of prayer, counsel, and discernment, Bryan and his family have sensed God’s clear call to a new season of ministry at Vero Christian Church in Vero Beach, Florida. This decision was not made quickly or lightly. It came through a unified process involving the elders of both churches, trusted mentors, and much prayer. Bryan remains deeply grateful for Fork Christian Church and all God has done here. This is not a story of leaving—but of faithfully following God’s next assignment.
Bryan will continue serving as Lead Pastor at Fork Christian Church through January 2026.
• Public announcement: January 4, 2026
• Bryan’s final Sunday at Fork: January 25, 2026
The elders will guide the church through a healthy and prayerful transition following his departure.
The Unfinished Campaign continues exactly as planned. All campaign funds remain designated and restricted to their original purposes, including:
• Children’s Center lower level build-out
• Facility renovations and repurposing • Worship Center AVL improvements
• New mission partnerships Construction has already begun, and oversight remains in place to ensure accountability and progress.
The mission continues because it has always been God’s work—not centered on one person.
No. This process has been unfolding quietly for several months. Confidentiality was necessary to protect unity and ensure that ministry, events, and the capital campaign continued without distraction. Once timing and clarity were confirmed by both churches, this coordinated announcement was made.
Fork Christian Church is healthy, united, and moving forward with confidence. The elders have engaged Vanderbloemen Search Group to help identify Fork’s next Lead Pastor. During this season, ministry will continue as normal under the leadership of our current staff and elders. Beginning in January, Don Mark Hamilton will serve as Interim Pastor, providing experienced, steady leadership while the search process continues.
• Pray for them as they prepare for this next season
• Encourage them with gratitude and love
• Stay engaged in the mission—serving, giving, and inviting others
• Join in opportunities to celebrate and send the Hay family well
• Elders: [email protected]
• Financial/Giving Questions: Jill Hartsock – [email protected]
• Facilities/Construction: Harold Wells – [email protected]
• General Questions: [email protected]