Letter from Paul Goebel and Mark Davis
(February 16, 2026)
Dear PCPC family,
It is with great hope, sadness, and trust in God that I have accepted the nomination to become the next Senior Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. Started in 1981, Christ Presbyterian Church is a sister church in our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America, that shares many connections to members of PCPC. And much like PCPC, Christ Pres has a rich history of ministry, missions, and church planting as well as brokenness, pain, and a deep need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is truly humbling to be considered as their next Senior Pastor.
But the possibility of leaving PCPC also fills us with great grief. We love PCPC, we love our staff and our pastors, we love our elders and deacons, and we love you. Jenni and I have grown up in life and in ministry at PCPC. We were married here, I was ordained here, our daughters were baptized and took their first communion here, and we have been dearly loved here. Serving our staff alongside our Executive Director, Jeff Barber, and preaching God’s Word alongside our Senior Pastor, Mark Davis, has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life. Words fail to adequately express my gratitude and love for these men.
So why would we consider leaving? Because we long to follow Christ and His call. Though we don’t always understand it, and we cannot see what lies ahead, we know that the sovereign will of the Lord is perfect and that He is faithful. Over the past several weeks, God’s Word in Proverbs 3:3-8 has been particularly encouraging to me:
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
And so, we move forward by faith, trusting in the Lord. This Sunday, February 22, I will preach at Christ Presbyterian Church in view of a call from John 3:1-21. The following Sunday, March 1, the members of Christ Presbyterian Church will hold a congregational meeting to vote on my candidacy to become their Senior Pastor. Should the Lord confirm this call, we would anticipate moving to Nashville this summer. Until then, we look forward to worshiping with you, weeping with you, laughing with you, and trusting the Lord with you. For now, please join us in prayer for Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Christ Presbyterian Church, the building up of the body of Christ, and the coming of His Kingdom.
With the love of Christ,
Rev. Paul Goebel
Associate Pastor
Park Cities Presbyterian Church
Dear PCPC family,
One of the great joys of serving on the pastoral staff of PCPC is the privilege of sharing life and ministry together with such godly and gifted men. We love each other and delight in spurring one another on towards love and good deeds. Because of the deep love and respect we have for one another, we never want to see one of our pastors leave. We know it is often God’s plan to lead His shepherds to shepherd His sheep in different churches. We rejoice in God’s faithful calling, yet we grieve the loss of the daily presence of this side-by-side shepherd.
When Paul shared the news with me about his potential call to serve as the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, I was not surprised – no one is surprised! His abiding relationship in Jesus, the gifts and passion for preaching, teaching, shepherding, and leading along with his deep love for Christ’s Church make him an obvious candidate. We praise God for who Paul is in Christ. We praise God also for Jenni, Ann Elise, Margaret, and Georgia, and how they are deeply woven into the fabric of PCPC.
With such news, sadness is also a part of the reality that comes with a pastor receiving a new call – especially when they have loved and been loved so well. We will miss this precious family, even as we celebrate with the Saints of Christ Pres, as God is calling Paul to serve as their new pastor.
Join me in praising God for the life and ministry of Paul and Jenni in our midst. Join me in also praying for them as they seek the Lord’s face in this new calling.
With great love and affection for the Goebels and the Saints of PCPC, by His grace,
Rev. Mark Davis
Senior Pastor
Park Cities Presbyterian Church