Over the last few months, I've been talking alot about change and new things happening. For the last 4 years, I've been working with Youth United at Riverside Community Church. I have been there through some really awesome Youth Pastors..(Aaron Escamilla, Dave Jane, Corey Blair and Joe Greenwald.) The last few months, and probably even year, I have been unsettled in where I am at in life. Seems like I'm always talking about wanting to move or change things. I'm starting to realize that for change to happen, you need to let go of things and move forward. I know there are things God wishes to work on in my life in preparation for the future. In December, I took the 3 weeks that we didn't have Wednesday night YU, and decided to really seek God about the future and what was next. There have been numerous things just the last 3 weeks that have confirmed for me that it is time to change..time to get ready for the next chapter in my life. So, today, I went in and talked to Pastor Joe and shared with him where I'm at. I have decided that it is time for this chapter of my story at Youth United to come to an end. I really do appreciate all the friends I have made at YU and the leaders I have met. Even though alot of times I was behind the scenes running lights or sound...I enjoyed being there and being apart of a great youth ministry. I am leaving with Pastor Joe's blessing. I pray that God will increase the ministry and his hands will be on Joe and Elizabeth as they lead Youth United into the next era. Hang on kids....it's going to get crazy! If I could say anything to the youth, it would be that you all have potential and you rock! Joe needs you to step up and start owning your youth group. This is your youth group...take it and run with it. Become the Church that God has in mind and watch him do things through you that you wont believe. Most of all...Love God with all your heart and Love each other as yourself. Go big Youth United..or go home! I believe in you..I wanna hear stories. May God be with all of you and may his face shine upon you. It has truly been an honor serving you.
a servant of Christ,
Chris
Chris, thank you for your sacrifice and life in giving to the kids not just at RCC but also at faith. You will be missed both at the services and around the ping pong table! My son loves taking you on.
ReplyDeleteI do want to also thank you for leaving right and talking with Joe. It's so important as to the way you leave a ministry. Thank you. -andy king
Andy,
ReplyDeleteTell Ethan, I'm available to play a game of ping pong anytime, anywhere! Thank you for your words of encouragement. I haven't moved yet, I'm sure I'll still be around for awhile.
I haven't always been able to leave a ministry the right way..and it felt really good doing it. This isn't me falling away or leaving it because i'm upset. I know bigger things are coming and sometimes God unsettles us to move us..and I believe that is what is happening. I'm not leaving YU to just go to another church in the area. Glad we've been able to connect over the last several months. It's been great.