Well, I haven't blogged in a while and I hate to start off with an announcement like this but it is time to make it "blog official". It was announced at church this past weekend so I felt it was appropriate that I finally talk about it on here.
But you read it right, we are leaving Grace - our home church of almost 7 years, and where my husband has served as youth pastor for over 4 years. I also worked there for over 3 years, until I was diagnosed with cancer. So, we have lots and lots of deep, deep relationships there.
This has not been an easy decision by any means. We have been praying about this for almost a year now. About 9 months ago Jason started seeking counsel form a number of his mentors. They began to lay down a path of confirmation. However, it took many more months for us to see the full plan that God has laid out before us and receive the final confirmation that we needed to know exactly what we were called to do.
There were many difficult parts to this equation but one of them was that I was still so sick for the first half of this year. It was hard to imagine that we were being called in another direction when I felt so lousy all of the time. But God's timing is perfect and I felt like he gave us just enough time to get my feet under me so that I can be the helpmate my husband needs in this next stage of ministry.
Still, even though we knew in our hearts God was calling us to another ministry and I had started feeling better, this was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. We have so many cherished relationships and even though we plan on carrying those with us wherever we go, it is still going to change things and change is often a scary thing.
Telling our youth group kids was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do in our lives. We love them dearly and as we watched tears stream down many of their faces it literally broke our hearts.
Anyway, I am very relieved now to have all of the "telling" done. It is hard to see disappointment on peoples faces over and over again. Even though they respect our decision and they are happy because we are listening to what God has called us to do, there is still sadness.
It is all just bitter/sweet.
So, if you are one of the ones that felt the bitter/sweet for us, know that we love you. We appreciate your support more than you will ever know. We will do our very best to keep in touch and we just want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being who you are in our lives. (Even if you are one who may not know us well and just read my blog, I still appreciate you greatly.) We would not have the cherished memories that we do without you. Blessings to you all.
The Gressman Family
P.S. I will share more about what exactly God has called to do here very soon. :-)
I have been meaning to go to youth group for awhile. I am glad that I read your blog. I will miss you and Jason a lot. You both have been since I started going. I will miss you so much. I hope that we will be blessed with a youth paster as great at Jason.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Gressman family,
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a shock even for me to hear that you are leaving Grace. However, we have recently struggled with the calling God put on us to leave our church as well, and we know full well the confusion and sadden hearts of obeying God! With that said, we just attended the church, we were not on staff! That must of been a very difficult thing to have to do. I respect you for standing firm on what you know is form our wonderful Counselor! :) I am reading this as a testimony to obedience! May or loving LORD bless you and keep you! I love you and will keep you in my prayers!! OH, and btw, if Kyle never got around to calling you and thanking you for your words of encouragement, know that he was truly moved! :)
Love in Christ name,
Rita George