We wanted to update our family and friends on what has been going on in the life of the VGs. We have had a pretty unbelievable year of extremes.
Chapter 1: A year ago, the church we loved began a journey through a tragic situation and one of the results was that I was released of my position as the student pastor. The complication of a quick transition and disconnection from friends and ministry produced a lot of confusion and sadness.
Chapter 2: Over Christmas Kris’ parents gave us an amazing opportunity to spend the week with them and the rest of the family in Orlando. It was fueling to get away, be refueled, and get energized to pursue the next. We spent January through March seeking God’s next for us, remodeling most of the inside of our house, and talking to numerous churches.
Chapter 3: At the beginning of March we felt God calling us to investigate an opportunity to start a ministry for Young Professionals, (20 somethings) in Phoenix, AZ. We spent a lot of time praying, inviting our kids into the process, and discerning if this was God’s next and after visiting Cornerstone, all 5 of us felt clearly that this was the place for the next season of life. So, at the end of March we put our house on the market and after 40+ showings in 3 days we sold the house, loaded up everything we owned in a 26 ft Penske truck and headed west.
Chapter 4: We arrived in Chandler, AZ the day before Easter and jumped into reaching out to 10,000 people who visited Cornerstone that weekend. We loved seeing 100’s of people coming to Christ and a church loving its community. I began meeting, organizing and developing a ministry for Young Professionals. In a matter of weeks I met with a dozen local pastors, 50+ people ready to be a part of the launch team, and 6 people specifically who would become the core for this new ministry. The summer was spent moving from a 3 bedroom apartment to a house, a trip to San Diego, spending hours investing in people and getting excited for what God could do in and through the people He was gathering.
Chapter 5: We launched the ministry Aug. 19 and over 200 people came to check it out and make a step into community. Over the next 8 weeks we saw people make significant steps forward in their relationship with Jesus and risking on the Church. It was amazing to see people come to life and step into leading areas from leadership development to serving the community, to leading Bible Studies.
Chapter 6: In mid October, the leadership of Cornerstone went through transitions including my supervisor being let go. I had worked closely with him on the direction and focus of the ministry and greatly respected him. Shortly after his termination, the leadership met with me to talk about expectations, future, and how I fit into that. It was clear that the ministry that God has called me to was not the style or design that the leadership wanted to proceed with. So in late October, I transitioned out of being on staff at Cornerstone and assisted in connecting as many as the Young Professionals as I could.
Chapter 7: November has been a month of multiple emotions. Our kids have been wounded, contemplative, and awesome — all in a beautiful mess. Kris and I started off by being in shock and disbelief and in recent days have started to get some great traction in some really advancing things. We have been overwhelmed with God’s love and provision even in days where we were not making it easy for Him to find us. The day I found out that I wouldn’t be on staff anymore at Cornerstone, Kris walked into her part time job and was offered an opportunity to go full time. In mid October we closed on our Minnesota house and no longer have 2 mortgage payments.
Chapter 8: Future – We would appreciate your prayers. We have a plan to be financially ok for most of the spring. We will be staying in Chandler until at least June so that Hannah can graduate at Hamilton High School. More than ever I feel called to student ministry and am getting excited about investing, empowering, and unleashing the next generation for Jesus. We have asked Jesus to stay in the Phoenix area because we love it here, but have given Him permission to take us where He wants us to go. I will be working with some placement companies over the next couple months to try and find a great fit for us. If anyone has suggestions of opportunities in ministry please let us know. The kids are doing really well. We are all having good and bad days, but they have remained faithful to God and His plan on their lives.
I have been reading Isaiah in these days and God has used it to speak to my heart in healing and hopeful ways. Recently I have been resting in Isaiah 40:29-31. I believe wholeheartedly that the best days for the VGs are ahead of us. I believe we are in the midst of God renewing our strength and passion. If you want an adventure hang out with the VGs, life will not be boring or normal. Thank you for doing life with the VGs.