Getting Started

"For this reason I remind you to fan
 into flame the gift of God, which is in you
through the laying on of my hands" (2 Tim 1:6)

Transitioning in ministry can be a daunting task. This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions as we left our dearest family members, intimate friendships, a church & staff we love, and the first home we purchased. Lisa and I have been describing our feelings with the words of the Apostle Paul, "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor 6:10).  We were overwhelmed by the love poured out as we departed with the laying on of hands and prayer our last Sunday at the Towne Church.

Following Jesus isn't always easy. He never promised that it would be. However, he did promise that it would be worth it. These words have been amplified in my mind over the past couple of months as I came to recognize his call to leave our ministry setting at Towne to become the lead pastor of the Waters Edge Church in Virginia Beach: "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). The condition of his promise is that the leaving would be "for his name's sake." Our hearts are resolved. We are here to spread a passion for his name in Virginia Beach and all the surrounding areas. 

Members of the Waters Edge Church in
VA Beach that helped unload the moving truck

Dan Levy, a church member at Waters Edge, reminded me that "God's family is all over the world" and that we are temporarily "separating from one part of God's family to shepherd another part of God's family." We have certainly felt the love as Waters Edge has extended its arm to receive us. Monday evening we arrived in Virginia to a team of people unloading the moving truck. Our hosts, Larry and Peggy, have been more than gracious in opening their home to us. They have all been waiting . . . it's time to put our hand to the plow.