AXE THROWING, COFFEE LINES, AND THE WORKPLACE AS FAMILY
It’s October, 2023 and I’ve just transferred over to a new campus within the church I have the privilege of serving. By this point most everyone within the program I’m in have become acclimated to their campus. They’ve created close knit relationships with the staff, built a rhythm of work conducive to their soul and the needs of the people we minister to, and made family out of the local church. But here I am having to start over. I’m vaguely close with the people I do know at this campus, but nothing of substance to truly make me feel like my heart will have a home within the people I’ll see on a daily basis.
The first week I’m there my boss I transferred over with was attending a conference all week so I was left to mingle among the rest of the staff. I was invited to come work in our church's library with other staff and the fun began. Talks of Taylor Swift, church culture, and dreams of a better future spilled from our lips. This was an initiation of sorts into this new culture. I was gaining a feel for what it meant to be a part of this family of people. Over the next few months would be moments of elation because we had front row seats to see the goodness of God pervade the people we had the privilege of serving mixed in with moments of sorrow due to the nature of knowing so many people going through hardships on a daily basis. But during this season of life, this was my family. Finally working in ministry, in my childhood church, I’m living in the reality of what my heart has longed to see for years. To do so alongside people who make life sweeter and the gospel not just an idea but a lived out reality has made the glory of God come to life before my very eyes. This is an ode to the team at Lakepointe East Dallas, you each have a special place in my heart and I will cherish the time spent together for the rest of my life.
A TRUE ALLY
It was one of my first Sunday mornings at my new campus and I had gradually made a connection with one of our seasoned saints that had a peculiar peace to her. We were catching up like we do every Sunday morning but I noticed bandages and what looked like burn marks on her hand. An ache began to bubble within my heart and tears welled up faster than I could catch my emotions. We finished our conversation and I swiftly left the area and began to weep. One of the staff members had seen me in the middle of my tears and slowly began to gently ease my soul back to its center. I was in complete disarray because the last time I had seen a set of wounded elderly hands was within the casket of my beloved grandmother's funeral. I was instantly transported back to all of the grief, pain, and turmoil simply within a single moment. But the faithfulness of a person who had dedicated her life to become whole and in loving union with God was able to minister to me in a way that left a mark on my soul that I will not soon forget.
I may not have become a swiftie, but you have shown me how to minister to a soul with emotional health, see the beauty of the local church with faults and all, and to cherish the work of sisters in the faith. You are a blessing to so many and the work you do does not go unseen. May God continue to bless you and Jake’s marriage for as long as you two may live.
A MAN OF RESILIENCE
One of the defining traits of any good man is how willing he is to discipline himself for the sake of others. To commit oneself towards the good, beautiful, and true things of God spurs on blessings for not just the individual but the community of people around this person. The man who took responsibility over the watchful care of my professional life set the tone for what it meant to live a life dedicated unto God, for the glory of God, all while in the presence of God.
Week by week I saw this man mentor young men and women in his ministry who were searching everywhere for somewhere to call home, somewhere to be seen, somewhere they have bounds that don’t promote restriction but allow for freedom in God. Stories of home lives that would leave any person in a mist of tears were shared, the endless teen drama that might bring boredom to the average person were a delight to hear with this man, and souls were redeemed to experience the delight of God. Many men can build a ministry, only Spirit led men will see the power of God move within their family for the long haul. Nate, I pray you and your family will continue to experience the love of God for the rest of your life and ministry,
HOMETOWN HOMIE
The amount of laughing, inside jokes, and advice given will last a lifetime. You gave me permission to be myself without reservation, you set me straight when I needed to hear words that wounded me for my good, and sought to treat me as a person who bore the image of God with every interaction we had. Your heart is pure, your words are thought out, and you give of yourself freely while still being an astounding mother and wife to your husband.
I could speak much of your dedication to the ministry you’ve been entrusted with and have led with exemplary conviction, but that would pale in comparison to the person you are. Your character has been well refined by God and allowed others in your presence to see God easily because of the love you give so freely. There are few people in my life or let alone ministry who have a heart as pure as yours, so I fervently pray for more ministers of the Gospel to have a heart for Christ like yours. I will always cherish the way you have cared for me, friend. Thank you for showing me what it means to put Christ above all else, Lisa. May God guide you for all of your days.
THE FAITHFUL LEADER
To trust in leadership requires much in the day and age we live in. It requires the giving of one's heart, submission to trust that God is in the midst of their leadership, and the willingness to live out the vision that has been cast. But with you, it has been a gift. You led from a place of humility before God, sincerity to the vision of our church, and the belief that change was possible with God. To know that God can move is one thing, the belief to know that He will is another.
From the walks over the state of my spiritual and emotional state we would occasionally go on, the way you have been in my corner at every turn, you are a man who shows that they care with their actions and not just their words. Power tends to puff up and elevate a man to heights that are beyond reach, but you are a humble and lowly man who sits in the muck and mires of life with his people because you walk with your God well. Thank you for casting a vision of what it means to lead well Pastor Chris. May God bless you and your family for all of your days.
FINAL WORDS
East Dallas team, I will always carry you with me everywhere I go. You each etched a memory into my soul that has left me encouraged along with the ability to take the wisdom God has given amply to each of you into the ministry I will continue to do wherever I go. You may not find someone as funny, cool, and loud as me ever again (I kid), but know I’ll only be a call away. I love you each and thank you for your investment into my life.
😢