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We’re moving!!
Chad and I have accepted an offer to be a part of an amazing
team at Crosspoint church in St. Louis, Missouri. Chad will be joining the team
as the Children’s Ministry Director and I will be his trusty sidekick (sounds
so cool, doesn’t it?).
team at Crosspoint church in St. Louis, Missouri. Chad will be joining the team
as the Children’s Ministry Director and I will be his trusty sidekick (sounds
so cool, doesn’t it?).
This entire experience has been an amazing journey of faith
and just learning to take that first step. Towards the end of April, Chad
received a phone call that a church that contacted him a year ago about looking
for a Children’s Pastor, which he previously declined, was picking up their
search again. I asked Chad if he was going to give the church a call and see
what they were looking for since this was the second time that we had heard
about this position and it was still available. He told me he didn’t feel like
he should since we were getting ready to have a baby he just wanted to focus on
that. In a matter of a couple of days, his heart had changed and he decided to
at least give the guy a call. We were heading to St. Louis that weekend for a
baby shower in his hometown and he thought he would see if we could meet with
the current Children’s Pastor and take a look at the church. I was doubtful
that it was going to pan out because we were contacting him just the day before
we would need to meet with him. The guy got back to us first thing the next
morning and set up a time for us to come and meet with him and walk around the
church.
and just learning to take that first step. Towards the end of April, Chad
received a phone call that a church that contacted him a year ago about looking
for a Children’s Pastor, which he previously declined, was picking up their
search again. I asked Chad if he was going to give the church a call and see
what they were looking for since this was the second time that we had heard
about this position and it was still available. He told me he didn’t feel like
he should since we were getting ready to have a baby he just wanted to focus on
that. In a matter of a couple of days, his heart had changed and he decided to
at least give the guy a call. We were heading to St. Louis that weekend for a
baby shower in his hometown and he thought he would see if we could meet with
the current Children’s Pastor and take a look at the church. I was doubtful
that it was going to pan out because we were contacting him just the day before
we would need to meet with him. The guy got back to us first thing the next
morning and set up a time for us to come and meet with him and walk around the
church.
We headed to the church Friday afternoon and met with the
guy to see the church. From the minute we got there Chad was asking questions
and engaging in conversation about his heart for Children’s Ministry throughout
the entire time we were there. For those of you who know my husband, you would
know how out of his comfort zone this would usually be. My husband is a very
quiet, internal person, and usually observes things very quietly and doesn’t do
much talking. Usually, that’s what I do. But I knew going into this that I
wanted my husband to take the lead of everything and just observe in the background.
I guess you could say, we switched roles that day. Chad really stepped out of
his comfort zone, and asked some amazing questions. We were told that if Chad
was interested in the position, to submit a resume and they would contact us.
guy to see the church. From the minute we got there Chad was asking questions
and engaging in conversation about his heart for Children’s Ministry throughout
the entire time we were there. For those of you who know my husband, you would
know how out of his comfort zone this would usually be. My husband is a very
quiet, internal person, and usually observes things very quietly and doesn’t do
much talking. Usually, that’s what I do. But I knew going into this that I
wanted my husband to take the lead of everything and just observe in the background.
I guess you could say, we switched roles that day. Chad really stepped out of
his comfort zone, and asked some amazing questions. We were told that if Chad
was interested in the position, to submit a resume and they would contact us.
Chad took the next week at home to process all that would
come with the decision to put in a resume. He took time to pray and see if it
was something he felt ready to do. Chad decided that he was going to submit a
resume, but before he even had the chance we received a phone call from the guy
we met with asking if he was planning on pursuing the job. Chad told him he was
planning on submitting a resume first thing the next morning, and the church
decided they wanted to go ahead and set up a time for him to come down there
and have the opportunity to sit through a service and then help lead a service
in the kid’s area.
come with the decision to put in a resume. He took time to pray and see if it
was something he felt ready to do. Chad decided that he was going to submit a
resume, but before he even had the chance we received a phone call from the guy
we met with asking if he was planning on pursuing the job. Chad told him he was
planning on submitting a resume first thing the next morning, and the church
decided they wanted to go ahead and set up a time for him to come down there
and have the opportunity to sit through a service and then help lead a service
in the kid’s area.
So Chad and I set off to visit the church again, this time
getting to experience it on a Sunday. From the minute we walked into service we
absolutely loved the church. It’s very different from where we go now, but
still full of the Lord’s presence. Worship was amazing and some of the most
genuine worship I have been a part of. We had the opportunity to meet the lead
pastor and his wife shortly between services, and I told Chad from the minute
he introduced himself I felt so comfortable. He was so personable and easy to
talk to; he just made you feel at home.
getting to experience it on a Sunday. From the minute we walked into service we
absolutely loved the church. It’s very different from where we go now, but
still full of the Lord’s presence. Worship was amazing and some of the most
genuine worship I have been a part of. We had the opportunity to meet the lead
pastor and his wife shortly between services, and I told Chad from the minute
he introduced himself I felt so comfortable. He was so personable and easy to
talk to; he just made you feel at home.
After that trip to the church Chad was asked to be a part of
a few Skype meetings here and there. It was a little stretch of time during all
of this, and we didn’t really know what it was going to lead to. We just really
believed that God was telling us to take a step and trust that He was directing
us. When all of this first started we talked to a lady that I worked with at
church about the opportunity and trying to decide if it was something that we
should pursue or not. She encouraged us with the words “Just Keep Pedaling.”
You may remember those words from a post I wrote a few weeks ago. As God continues
to open doors, just keep pedaling through them. Pray that God would give you
peace to keep moving forward, and if at any time this is not what He wants you
to do that He would close the door and give you complete peace about it. So,
that’s what we did – we continued to pedal. It was a huge faith walk for us
because with each step we felt God asking us to take, it was truly as if we had
no idea where our feet were going to land. We just had to trust that there
would be a stepping stone that would catch us from sinking. This was an extreme
blind faith walk for me because I had just felt led to step down from church
when the baby came, and I was planning on doing home daycare. But in pursuing
this job I couldn’t advertise at all for daycare with the probability of us
moving. It worried me a little to know if we were going to be able to make it
financially. I truly felt that my faith was being tested – to trust that God
was directing every step and it would work out in His perfect timing.
a few Skype meetings here and there. It was a little stretch of time during all
of this, and we didn’t really know what it was going to lead to. We just really
believed that God was telling us to take a step and trust that He was directing
us. When all of this first started we talked to a lady that I worked with at
church about the opportunity and trying to decide if it was something that we
should pursue or not. She encouraged us with the words “Just Keep Pedaling.”
You may remember those words from a post I wrote a few weeks ago. As God continues
to open doors, just keep pedaling through them. Pray that God would give you
peace to keep moving forward, and if at any time this is not what He wants you
to do that He would close the door and give you complete peace about it. So,
that’s what we did – we continued to pedal. It was a huge faith walk for us
because with each step we felt God asking us to take, it was truly as if we had
no idea where our feet were going to land. We just had to trust that there
would be a stepping stone that would catch us from sinking. This was an extreme
blind faith walk for me because I had just felt led to step down from church
when the baby came, and I was planning on doing home daycare. But in pursuing
this job I couldn’t advertise at all for daycare with the probability of us
moving. It worried me a little to know if we were going to be able to make it
financially. I truly felt that my faith was being tested – to trust that God
was directing every step and it would work out in His perfect timing.
We were asked to come back for a few more meetings and to
lead the services shortly after baby Jase was born. So we took off for another
trip to St. Louis which we thought would probably be the end of the process.
Chad and I love to do kid’s ministry together, I think we make a pretty great
team, so we really wanted to be able to lead the service together, but with a
new baby didn’t count on that being possible. Well, I got to help Chad with the
games and worship during the first service as someone was able to watch the baby!
I passed on helping with second service because he was a little fussy and I had
just gotten him to fall asleep in his Moby Wrap that moving him might have been
a disaster. Then we had a meeting after church, followed by a few meetings that
Chad had on Monday.
lead the services shortly after baby Jase was born. So we took off for another
trip to St. Louis which we thought would probably be the end of the process.
Chad and I love to do kid’s ministry together, I think we make a pretty great
team, so we really wanted to be able to lead the service together, but with a
new baby didn’t count on that being possible. Well, I got to help Chad with the
games and worship during the first service as someone was able to watch the baby!
I passed on helping with second service because he was a little fussy and I had
just gotten him to fall asleep in his Moby Wrap that moving him might have been
a disaster. Then we had a meeting after church, followed by a few meetings that
Chad had on Monday.
I stayed home with Jase as he seemed to be having a really
off day. Chad was gone for a few hours, so I am glad that I did, it might have
been too much on a little three week old. When Chad came home I was so eager to
hear about how the day went. As he began to talk about what went on in every
meeting, my heart was overwhelmed with excitement and eagerness at the
opportunity for this job. The hearts of the people at the church are amazing! The
couple that we will be under and will help mentor us as we are just beginning
in this stage of ministry are wonderful. Chad’s heart was full of excitement as
he shared the words of the pastor from their meeting. The pastor shared with
Chad how he wanted the Children’s ministry not to be about an experience, but
about building a foundation in the lives of the kids, a foundation that would
be built on God so that when trials came later in life, they would not fall
apart. This is something that Chad and I have always talked about when dreaming
about Children’s Ministry, so to hear the heart of the pastor exclaiming just
what our hearts cry is was wonderful. That is a vision that we would want to be
a part of carrying out – this church is full of people that we want to work
together with in carrying out the heart and vision of the lead pastor.
off day. Chad was gone for a few hours, so I am glad that I did, it might have
been too much on a little three week old. When Chad came home I was so eager to
hear about how the day went. As he began to talk about what went on in every
meeting, my heart was overwhelmed with excitement and eagerness at the
opportunity for this job. The hearts of the people at the church are amazing! The
couple that we will be under and will help mentor us as we are just beginning
in this stage of ministry are wonderful. Chad’s heart was full of excitement as
he shared the words of the pastor from their meeting. The pastor shared with
Chad how he wanted the Children’s ministry not to be about an experience, but
about building a foundation in the lives of the kids, a foundation that would
be built on God so that when trials came later in life, they would not fall
apart. This is something that Chad and I have always talked about when dreaming
about Children’s Ministry, so to hear the heart of the pastor exclaiming just
what our hearts cry is was wonderful. That is a vision that we would want to be
a part of carrying out – this church is full of people that we want to work
together with in carrying out the heart and vision of the lead pastor.
Later that evening there was one last meeting. The couple
that will be helping us along wanted to know what my thoughts were on this job.
They wanted to hire more than just Chad, they wanted a couple, they wanted to
hire a package deal. They wanted to make sure that my heart was just as much
for the ministry as Chad’s. Being a mom, was I okay with what that meant for my
children? They would be at church a lot; they would be there early and stay
there late. They want me at all Children’s ministry functions and meetings. Was
I willing to make that commitment with my children because they didn’t want it
to just be Pastor Chad, they wanted Chad and Ally.
that will be helping us along wanted to know what my thoughts were on this job.
They wanted to hire more than just Chad, they wanted a couple, they wanted to
hire a package deal. They wanted to make sure that my heart was just as much
for the ministry as Chad’s. Being a mom, was I okay with what that meant for my
children? They would be at church a lot; they would be there early and stay
there late. They want me at all Children’s ministry functions and meetings. Was
I willing to make that commitment with my children because they didn’t want it
to just be Pastor Chad, they wanted Chad and Ally.
Initially I questioned myself, could I really be both? Could
I be in ministry and be a mom? I knew God was calling me to be a mom, and that
was my first priority next to God and my husband. But I knew my heart was to be
a part of all of that with my husband anyways – I always told him I wanted to
be his sidekick in ministry. I always dreamed that one day we would find a
church that wanted us both, one that viewed us as a team and as a package deal
for Children’s ministry. We believe that our greatest strength is together, as
a package deal because we compensate for each other’s weaknesses and we
encourage each other’s strengths. But I knew my heart was to be a part of
everything they were saying, even if I wasn’t required. We have always said we
want our kids to grow up in church, and from the very beginning to understand
it’s a blessing to be a pastor’s kid and grow up in church, not a burden. I was
encouraged by a dear friend of mine that God has called me to do both, He has
equipped me to do both, I don’t have to be afraid to follow the calling He gave
me in fear that I can’t do both. My husband is encouraging me that I can be
both as well. If anyone was to ask me my dream job I would say, “I just want to
be a wife and a mom – and I want to serve alongside my husband in Children’s
Ministry and help lead and grow a great team.”
I be in ministry and be a mom? I knew God was calling me to be a mom, and that
was my first priority next to God and my husband. But I knew my heart was to be
a part of all of that with my husband anyways – I always told him I wanted to
be his sidekick in ministry. I always dreamed that one day we would find a
church that wanted us both, one that viewed us as a team and as a package deal
for Children’s ministry. We believe that our greatest strength is together, as
a package deal because we compensate for each other’s weaknesses and we
encourage each other’s strengths. But I knew my heart was to be a part of
everything they were saying, even if I wasn’t required. We have always said we
want our kids to grow up in church, and from the very beginning to understand
it’s a blessing to be a pastor’s kid and grow up in church, not a burden. I was
encouraged by a dear friend of mine that God has called me to do both, He has
equipped me to do both, I don’t have to be afraid to follow the calling He gave
me in fear that I can’t do both. My husband is encouraging me that I can be
both as well. If anyone was to ask me my dream job I would say, “I just want to
be a wife and a mom – and I want to serve alongside my husband in Children’s
Ministry and help lead and grow a great team.”
God gave me that dream, God gave my husband the dream to be
a Children’s Pastor, and now He is bringing us to a place in our lives where
that dream is going to play out. God has placed both of these callings on our
lives, and He has designed us as a couple to be a part of a ministry best as a
team. When asked what we saw ourselves doing in the future, we always would
have described exactly this. Isn’t God amazing? Now yes, there are initial
fears as well, on both my husband’s and my side. Is he really ready for this? He
feels ready, but can you ever really know? This is a big step for him, I
couldn’t be more proud of him. Can I truly handle being a mom and in ministry?
It’s my heart and exactly what I believe God is calling me to do in life, but
having a new baby and being a first time mom isn’t the easiest. But God set
this time in our life aside, He has ordained every step that we have taken in
pursuing this job, and God knows we are ready.
a Children’s Pastor, and now He is bringing us to a place in our lives where
that dream is going to play out. God has placed both of these callings on our
lives, and He has designed us as a couple to be a part of a ministry best as a
team. When asked what we saw ourselves doing in the future, we always would
have described exactly this. Isn’t God amazing? Now yes, there are initial
fears as well, on both my husband’s and my side. Is he really ready for this? He
feels ready, but can you ever really know? This is a big step for him, I
couldn’t be more proud of him. Can I truly handle being a mom and in ministry?
It’s my heart and exactly what I believe God is calling me to do in life, but
having a new baby and being a first time mom isn’t the easiest. But God set
this time in our life aside, He has ordained every step that we have taken in
pursuing this job, and God knows we are ready.
We are both so excited to be a part of an amazing team. We
are so excited to serve under amazing leadership. We are so excited to help be
a part of building a foundation in the lives of kids. We are so excited about
being a part of some amazing kid’s lives. We are so excited to be living our
God given dream and calling for our lives!
are so excited to serve under amazing leadership. We are so excited to help be
a part of building a foundation in the lives of kids. We are so excited about
being a part of some amazing kid’s lives. We are so excited to be living our
God given dream and calling for our lives!
Will you pray for us? We’re getting ready to make a huge
life change. We are moving in three weeks, although it’s only four hours away,
it’s not easy to pack and prepare to move with a one month old baby. Although
we know without a doubt this is God’s will for us, we’ve been training here for
six years and we’re moving pretty quickly, so it will also be bittersweet. We
know it’s time to go, that our season is done here and we’re beginning a new
one in St. Louis. Thanks for the prayers in advance and for sharing in our good
news!!
life change. We are moving in three weeks, although it’s only four hours away,
it’s not easy to pack and prepare to move with a one month old baby. Although
we know without a doubt this is God’s will for us, we’ve been training here for
six years and we’re moving pretty quickly, so it will also be bittersweet. We
know it’s time to go, that our season is done here and we’re beginning a new
one in St. Louis. Thanks for the prayers in advance and for sharing in our good
news!!
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Im so happy for you guys..and remember that when you are following God's will he will bless you…and provide for you…and Jase will just fit right into the plan…we will be praying for a smooth transition…let us know if we can do anything… like make a trip to help move
mallory
What incredible news! I am so excited for you all!! I will be praying for you:)
I had a feeling that this was the announcement. I have watched you and Chad grow so much in the last several years as you got through JRLC, got married, were leadership in the Faculty, Warehouse and Factory again, become parents and now I am thrilled to be able to say "Hey, I know those guys!" when people talk about you. You both leave a legacy at James River that you are unaware of. The Lord has wonderful things in store for both of you and Jase is one lucky little boy to have two parents who are passionate about the Church. You will be missed and I hope that you come back to JRA occasionally and visit, but I look forward to keeping in touch through your blog. James has always said that you should write a book because you are a wonderful writer and I also look forward to buying your book someday! You will be in our prayers for a safe and smooth move into the next chapter of your lives. I am excited for you!
So proud for you guys. We watched Chad grow up. We we involved in Children,s church and youth back then. It is always a blessing seeing those that you had a hand in mentoring. And now knowing that now will have a hand in mentoring our grandsons Evann and soon Asher. May God bless you.
In Christ
Larry Teague
Aw yay! I'm so happy for you:)
Your example at how you trust God completely encourages me so much!
Congratulations, my friend! This is awesome news for you and your family! I will be praying for yall as you make this transition. 🙂
It is so incredibly exciting to be walking into a season of life that you know God has called you to. You will be in my thoughts!
YAY! Congratulations!! That is so exciting. I love it when the Lord so clearly directs us!