I WILL NEVER FORGET......................

This past Sunday was my last official day of ministry at First Christian Church in Kendallville, IN. It was a special day for a number of reasons. As youth pastor I had an inside peak at many of the events and happenings of that day, and I spent time today marvelling at what all God did in just two services. Here are some things that I WILL NEVER FORGET about this past Sunday!

- I WILL NEVER FORGET the support, encouragement, gifts, and love shown by all generations towards me.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the testimonies and baptisms of five students. All sharing different stories of changed lives impacted through our youth program.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET watching as a number of unsaved and new students came and joined in on our mega youth choir. God continues to move!
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the church gift given to me and presented by Doc Chandler and Greg Mcneal.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the support from Kim and my family in which members came to both services.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET Luis Perez speaking and preaching from the stage in Spanish to his parents proclaiming truth to them. Here was a new believer preaching to his parents in Spanish in front of 300+ people. Incredible!
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the joy of praying with and for Shawn Mason and Alex Cooper, dear friends, as they become the interim youth pastor couple. It was a honor to hand the ministry off to a young man whom I have invested countless hours in and whom I trust.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the binder full of encouraging letters written by the youth group presented to me by Matt Taner in which I read that night and cherished.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the true celebration finale in which we shot confetti, hit balloons into the air, and sang our hearts out. What an awesome moment.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET walking outside after second service and seeing cars park in the grass because there was no parking space left.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the goodbyes, I mean see you laters, afterwards and how special they truly were.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the image of countless students raising their hands in acknowledgement of coming to know Jesus and having been baptized during my time pastoring in the youth ministry.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the fun in filming the parody video and the creativity in which we showed it.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the dance that was written by Tedra Spuller and that was executed brilliantly by our group.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the enthusiasm from our youth program in getting excited about what could happen in the future.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the good food, great company, and Nibby's magic tricks afterwards.
- I WILL NEVER FORGET the desire of our youth group to make Pastor Dan's Last Ride memorable and special. IT WAS!
-I WILL NEVER FORGET how Kim stood by my side the entire time during worship and through the services. She will be a perfect ministry helpmate in the future!

Thank you again First Christian Church for your love and generosity towards me and towards our youth program. It is the stories of changed lives that will help motivate me as I continue my ministry career in Goshen. The command is the same: to make disciples wherever you are. Looking forward to hearing great life transformation stories in Kendallville and being a part of life transformation through Jesus in the Goshen area!

 

In order to show their 'support' I was given a symbol of 'support' signed by members of the Underground Movement! This will look good hanging up in my future office. :)

 

Great picture of a great student celebrating what God has DONE and WILL do!

 

It truly was a CELEBRATION!