I Think I Know What I Did This Summer

If you’ve checked the About or History page you have seen some changes.  I am no longer the Youth Pastor at Denton Wesleyan Church after accepting the Senior Pastor position at Oakway Wesleyan.  I’m just as surprised as you are.  I entered the summer with plans for the fall for our youth ministry including a revamped 642 news, but God had other plans.  Here’s a quick timeline of what’s happened since my last post:

June 13-18-Middle School Camp at Victory Mountain Camp with speaker Kenneth Wagner.

June 20-25-High School Camp at Victory Mountain Camp with speaker Dave Bever.

June 28-July 2-Spoke at Shenanodah Youth Camp at VMC.  My car got hit by a hit and run hay bale on the way to camp.  Crushed my front left fender and the dude just keep going.  Got a call while at camp about the opening at Oakway Wesleyan and set up a lunch with the District Superintendent.

July 3-10-Vacation in South Carolina at my parents.  Worked with my brother and 100 United Methodist teens from the south in Pendleton for Salkehatchie and spoke on Monday night.  Met with the DS on Thursday and Karen and I both felt a strong pull towards Oakway.  We also got the chance to meet with their Board and hear their thoughts and hearts.  It was very encouraging.

July 17-24-Mission Trip to Philadelphia.  Got to be reunited with the great people Chichester United Wesleyan Church as our team worked with them and various ministries in and around the city.

July 25-Announced my resignation to the Denton congregation and received tremendous support and love from everyone.  Senior Pastor Charlie Collins really lead the way in this and had some extremely kind words about Karen and me before offering a Spirit-filled prayer on our behalf.  I immediately bookmarked the moment in my mind.  It was powerful.

August 6-10-Tricia Pusey came to stay with us and hang out with the Dentonites she had met while we were in Philly.  It was a great time of catching up and looking ahead.

August 13-Folks from Oakway came and helped us load all of our stuff onto two trailers.  They then unloaded everything in the new parsonage in SC.  That night I spoke at the NC East District Lock-In and got to make even more memories with some great people.

August 15-Our last day at Denton and traveling to Oakway.  Got the kids later than planned, but they were excited to get up the next day for…

August 16-First Day of Second grade and my first day as a Senior Pastor!

August 21-My 11th Wedding Anniversary where we(at least me) were surprised by a visit from the Hynes.

August 22-First Sunday at Oakway.  Great crowd and a great meal following the service.

So, there you have it.  11 weeks of sheer craziness.  But God is good, and life is an adventure.  A year ago, I started Chase Your Lion. I know now, that I started that site so I would have the courage to take these steps this summer.  As my wife said,”it can’t be alright for everyone else to Chase Their Lion, but for you to play it safe.”  The rest of this week I will be sharing what’s been going on in my mind through this whole transition, the differences between being a youth pastor and a senior pastor, and how you can know when it’s time for a change.