“I feel like we really need to be closer to family. It kills me a little bit every time we leave family and drive back here. I’ve tried to hold back the feelings, but I just can’t and I have to tell you and I think we should consider it.”

Heavy right? What does one do when their spouse brings up moving when things are going well? I’m going to be honest, it was not an easy thing to hear coming out of mouth of my lovely wife. If I’m going to be really honest, I was a little bit angry at first. I was thinking, “Why on earth would I ever consider leaving Saddleback and the HSM team? There is such a great thing happening here. I love the team. I love the ministry. I love the church. I love what I get to do.”

I remember going into the offices and having a conversation with Josh with tears in my eyes because I didn’t really know what to do in this situation. Neither did he. So we prayed and I had quite a few follow up conversations with Kristin to make sure this was not a one time thought. It wasn’t. I was praying the next night by myself, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me saying, “If you felt called to go to a church in Montana, Kristin would be open to have a conversation and be prayerful about what I am doing in you, don’t ignore what I’m doing in her.” Dang.

So I started to pray for her… for us.

It’s amazing what prayer can do. God can change a heart, a desire, and open up doors in which you thought would never open. Prayer is powerful and God loves to answer prayers. Over the weeks as we have been talking, praying and discussing where we feel God is leading us, we are taking a huge leap of faith. I know I am called to lead a ministry. I know I am called to lead a team. Saddleback HSM has been an instrumental part of helping me understand how a healthy and effective team. Josh and the team have showed me how to love students and run an effective student ministry. They are incredible people and amazing pastors.

This is why I have decided to accept the lead Student Ministries Pastor position at Christ’s Church of the Valley (Shift Students) in San Dimas, CA. I worked here for a few years right after college and I’m really excited to be back doing ministry in a city I love, where we will closer to both of our families, and get to work alongside some great friends. I will be overseeing Junior High and High School ministry and leading a team of great people to reach students for Christ. I am really excited/nervous/anxious for what the future brings and I am excited to see how God is going to use both Kristin and I in this new season of ministry.

Just a few things that I have learned through this process:

  • My wife is one of the bravest people I know. She had the courage to speak her mind even though she knew it would be a tough conversation.
  • I couldn’t just let this conversation pass and sweep it away because my wife would not feel comfortable with bringing up tough things again in the future.
  • When I read passages like the ones from Ephesians 5, it challenges me to love my wife, putting her needs in front of some things that I really like or enjoy, and see how God can bless those decisions.
  • Praying with your spouse is super powerful and very encouraging.
  • God knows what he is doing and looking back in the process, I can see His presence in every step of the way.
  • It’s really easy to leave things are tough, but it’s really hard to walk away from something that is really good and going well.
  • It sucks saying goodbye to people and students you have been with for years.
  • Taking leaps of faith is frightening, but God wants to bless those who put their trust in Him and follow where He is leading.

My time with DYM will still be the same and I’m excited to share my learnings and what I will take part in during this whole new process. I would appreciate any prayers you can offer our way. This is going to be quite a journey.