10 Lessons We Learned from 15 Years of Ministry in Colorado

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3-6

10 Lessons We Learned from 15 Years of Ministry in Colorado

On April 3, our church gave us a wonderful goodbye and God-speed celebration, as we end our time of ministry in Colorado and look forward to beginning new ministry in New York.

Here is the message of thank you and encouragement that we offered to them.

Powerpoint of our Farewell presentation:

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2

Video of our Farewell Presentation:

 

 

 

If your browser is not showing you the video above, you may click here to see it on YouTube.

10 Lessons Learned From 15 Years of Ministry in Colorado

(Short written summary. See video link above for full presentation.)

Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

10. I Thank God For You

Thank you! As our family has grown and changed over the years, you have continued to support us. We thank you.

9. I Will Remember You

We will remember many years of wonderful ministry together.

8. Always Pray

Life is hard. We take these tough situations to God in prayer.

We’ve been through many difficulties together. The Aurora Theater shooting. The death of a staff member. Many staff changes and ministry ups and downs.

You have been through tough times. We have had the sadness yet privilege of being with you at the hospital. At gravesides of your loved ones. Mike has led many funerals.

You have been with us through our tough times. Through the death of our family members. You supported us in our ministry as foster parents and through my 100 pound weight loss.

We ask for your prayers now as we continue to seek help for one of our children with special needs.

7. Have Joy

We have had a blast! There’s nothing quite like seeing your pastor go down the water slide at the church picnic in his Sunday best.

Our children have grown up here, and we have added three amazing boys to our family here in Colorado.

6. We Have a Partnership in the Gospel

This fall I had the opportunity to speak in Phoenix to a group of pastor’s wives and one of the topics was raising pastor’s kids (PKs). I interviewed my kids about what it’s like to grow up in the church. (Read more of that presentation here.) They had nothing bad to say. Here were some of their comments:

“I like being a pastor’s kid. People pay attention to me at church and talk to me. I get extra attention.” ~ Paul, age 11.

“It’s never been a bad thing. It’s good.” ~ Josiah, age 14.

“People would never guess my dad’s a pastor because he goes to metal core concerts with me.” ~ Kiersten, age 17.

5. From the First Day Until Now

Our children have grown up here, and we have added three amazing boys to our family here in Colorado.

4. I Am Sure of This

God has blessed this church from the beginning until now, and He will continue to do so. God takes care of his church.

3. It’s Good Work

The work we have done here together is very good — not because of who we are, but because of the Holy Spirit working in us. We’ve done outreach events and Bible studies, worship and music, youth events and more.

2. God Will Bring It To Completion

We’ve seen many changes over the years in staff and members, but we know God will finish the work He has started. It’s been a joy to serve together accomplishing God’s work. Honor and care for the workers God is giving you now to carry on the work here. They are faithful servants who need your support.

1. We Will See Each Other Again

We hope you make vacation plans that take you to Niagara Falls. We love company!

The internet, Facebook, and websites will keep us connected.

But just in case not…we know we will see you again in heaven. We have that promise for certain.

 

 

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 11:25