In Abilene

It is official…we have moved to Abilene from Sweetwater. This past weekend a faithful few gathered to move us for the third time in thirteen months. I think both Adina and I are planning to stay put for a good, long season. Moving is simply exhausting, and we are neck deep in boxes. But we are truly thrilled to be in our new home (which we own) – it is all that we had hoped and more!

This past Wednesday evening was our final congregational gathering with the Sweetwater extension of Beltway Park Baptist Church in Abilene. The senior pastor of our church, David McQueen, conveyed in a gentle but firm way that having a campus there was not feasible at this point. There is a significant need to start from the beginning with building a solid foundation and stronger core group of believers there. If the Sweetwater group is willing to walk through those steps and grow to be healthier, then reopening a Sweetwater campus is definitely still in the picture. The response of the congregation was mixed. Some found it difficult to accept that their church was “closing” in the sense of not having Sunday morning services. Others understood the situation, but find it challenging to commute weekly to Abilene for services and activities. Others are fully on board with Beltway Park and are more than willing to make the drive each week until something can be rebuilt in Sweetwater.

My role at the church has changed significantly. I am no longer associated with the Sweetwater group. Instead I am becoming a man of many hats. One hat is in the area of finance and administration. One of the main pastors has been in this role for over ten years, and he is an exceptional businessman. But he is all too eager to pass the responsibilities over to me so that he can focus on those things that are more in alignment with his personal passions (e.g. men’s ministry). Another hat is in the area of marriage, family, and parenting. This is the one that excites me. I will be working with a ministry called C3 (Couples Coaching Couples) that pairs older, seasoned couples with other couples that are either looking to get married or that are already married but facing some significant issues or challenges. I will also have my hand in coordinating a once-a-month evening in which a series of parenting classes are offered to church and surround community. And of course, I will be eventually starting some form of Young Marrieds class – if only I could have some of our core families in Colorado come and join the group! Anyone interested in moving?

So…that is the latest update. It is a whole chunk of change and adjustment, which brings its own measure of weight and challenge. But it is good change, and I am hopeful of our next season.

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