Upcoming Congregational Meeting

The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Eustis is calling for a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 26, immediately following worship, for the purpose of voting on the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between the congregation and Pastor Mario Bolivar.

We want to share clearly that Pastor Mario’s decision to step down is not the result of something that he, or anyone in the life of this church, has done or not done. Rather, after a season of prayer and discernment, Pastor Mario believes he is being called by God into a different kind of ministry—serving as Equipping Presbyter and Stated Clerk with the Presbytery of Florida. This new role will allow him to serve the wider Church by walking alongside 35 congregations and leaders across the Presbytery of Florida.

In the Presbyterian Church (USA), this process is not taken lightly. The dissolution of a pastoral relationship is understood as a three-way covenant action between the pastor, the congregation, and the presbytery, as outlined in the Book of Order (G-2.09). This means that the congregation is invited to consent through this meeting, and the final approval will be granted by the Presbytery.

This step allows Rev. Mario Bolivar to faithfully conclude his call as pastor of this congregation after 8 years of ministry in our church, with his last day of service being April 30. We encourage all the congregation to be present for this significant moment in the life of our church, and Pastor Mario as we move forward together with faith, trust, and hope in what God is doing among us.