Sunday, March 22, 2009

Dallas Journey...

Since this blog goes out to nearly 500 people on a regular basis, I thought this was the best way to inform everyone that may not know. I will be stepping down as the Youth and Associate Pastor at New Life Bible Fellowship here in Dallas at the end of the school year, with my last official Sunday being June 14th. I feel like my gifts, calling and passions do not fit the role I am currently in. NLBF needs a Youth Pastor and I do not feel like I am it for this next season. My wife and I do believe that God did call us here for the last almost 3 ½ years, but our time here is coming to an end. We will probably be in the area till at least August unless something else comes along before that. My wife, Senior Pastor and I are all in agreement with this decision and have a peace about it. I wanted to be here for at least 5 years and see the youth I came in with graduate, but sometimes our time is not God's time.

I really feel this time here has helped equip, grow and mature me a lot and touch lives, which I feel was all accomplished. One of the biggest lives touched was mine, by the loving and caring hearts of the people here. We have built many wonderful relationships and we do not think there was a better place to start our new life and family together than here in South Dallas and at NLBF. We were given a wonderful opportunity to minister to people in Texas and were also ministered to. Sabrina and I desire to live closer to our families, mine being in Ohio and hers in North Carolina . We would love to be somewhere in between, but are also open to whatever God has in store as I have not been offered a new job anywhere, it is just time for this journey to come to an end. I do still feel called to ministry, but not sure in what capacity yet. I would appreciate your prayers that my wife and I would be surrendered to the Lord and obedient. That I would be the spiritual leader of my family and that we would draw closer to the Lord and each other. Also pray for the people of NLBF especially the youth. I told them all a couple of Sundays and many tears were shed by me and others.

We have received an overwhelming amount of support from everyone, which means so much. Some of my friends I have told, think I'm nuts for stepping down without anything lined up, especially in this economy, but I just want to be obedient and follow the Lord's leading wherever that is. My God has provided for me for nearly 31 years and isn't going to leave me hanging now! I remember Sabrina and I found out that I got the Dallas job 2 weeks before we were married 3 1/2 years ago and what a wonderful opportunity God has given us again to trust Him. I will be keeping everyone updated on what the Lord is teaching me and my family in the following months.

2 comments:

nextlevel3 said...

Thank you, Jeremy & Sabrina for listening & obeying our HEAVENLY FATHER! I know your youth & church in Texas has been truly blessed & touched with your presences. Jeremy, your legacy lives on wherever you go...thank you for being an inspiration to me even after you left KY! Reg & I think of you often & await the time to see you again & meet Sabrina & Graydon in person! We will definitely pray for you guys as you begin a new adventure for CHRIST! :)

Stephen Nelson said...

Jer, you guys are in an exciting yet scary part of your journey. Man, have I ever been there! This I know - God is faithful and always has perfect timing. God has some awesome plans for you - I saw it in you the first time we met in NM... I've seen it in you through your blogs over the last 5-6 years (how long HAS it been anyways??)... and I saw it in you earlier this year in OKC. Shelly & I will be praying for you guys as you embark upon this journey.