NORTH PORT (WSNN) – We’ve seen birthdays, graduations, and even retirement parades, but what about sendoffs? New Hope Community Church members in North Port say goodbye to a pastor of 17 years with Farewell Celebration Drive Through, Saturday morning.
Pastor Eddie DeJesus has been serving people all his life with his service in the army, his time in NYPD, and his pastoring. Since 2003, he’s been serving North Port from doing bible studies in his home to holding sermons at New Hope Community Church. But now, the Christian Missionary Alliance, a large fellowship of churches with six million members worldwide, is calling him to oversee a new district in Texas. Pastor Eddie and his wife will be overseeing other pastors.
He says it’s bittersweet.
“We’ve met a lot of friends, and become family, and it’s heart-wrenching actually,” Pastore Eddie said. “It’s exciting in one part, but it’s terrifying in another because we’re starting a whole new at 55 years of age.”
Pastor Eddie says’ they’re leaving the kids behind to what he says is God’s calling.
His best friend, and new lead pastor, John Edgar Caterson, has known him since they were both in the Metropolitan District of the Christian Ministry Alliance, with Caterson in New Jersey and Pastor Eddie in New York, more than two decades ago.
After traveling with Pastor Eddie and Norma as couples preaching along the Suncoast, Caterson says he knows this is what he’s meant to do, but has mixed emotions.
“We’re sad to see him go, and I know this community is sad to see him go,” Caterson said.
Just under 100 cars filled with neighbors and even North Port police came out to wish pastor Eddie farewell.
Churchgoers say he’s changed the lives of many people in the community, including the youth.
“When we came here we were struggling a lot but he helped us out,” 12-year-old youth member, Makensey Truelove, said.
“It changed my whole life, I pray every day for people who are sick,” youth member, Jade Botello said. “I don’t want him to leave or Norma.”
Pastor Eddie’s new mission now is to bring hope to the people in Texas.
“There’s a lot of people who are hurting and broken and if there’s anything I’ve learned throughout all my years, whether in the military or in law enforcement and in pastor and industry is people need hope,” Pastore Eddie said.
Pastor Eddie says he’s humbled to have had the opportunity to serve the people of North Port.
