Thursday, May 5, 2011

BIG NEWS for our Family ... The Wait Is Over ... HERE IT IS!

OK, who guessed it? A few people were on the right trail. Here's the BIG NEWS ...

About 2 months ago I received an e-mail from a guy named Aaron Gutridge, the student ministries pastor at a church in Palm Springs, California. After several phone and Skype conversations with him and his team, they invited us to come out and continue the interview process in person. During our daughters' spring break we reluctantly had to go to Palm Springs (Yep, real suffering for Jesus! LOL!) where we got to meet and spend time with the team in person. We had a wonderful time hanging out with them in formal [Southern California formal] and informal settings, and we really enjoyed ourselves. The long and short of it is that at the end of our interviews I was offered an opportunity and accepted an invitation to come on staff as the middle school pastor at Southwest Community Church. Most important to us was the chemistry we felt with the team and the opportunity for us to raise our family in a great community with a great church. In terms of a timeline, our plan is to work through the first week of June here on Long Island then head off on our great cross-country adventure. We hope to arrive in California in time for the girls to participate in some of the summer activities of the church - in particular for Claudia to attend the middle school summer camp. Of course, that means I get to go to summer camp as well! :)

We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we seek to wrap things up and end our ministry here at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle well. We have been here for 6 years, made lots of friends, and had quite a run in youth ministry. We are appreciative of the privilege we have had to serve here, and look forward to handing the ministry off to our incredible team of adult volunteers and my successor, which, it looks as though, I am pleased to have been able to secure for the kids and the church pending a congregational vote. As soon as that takes place I look forward to introducing him as my successor.
Natalia lost her balance right when the camera timer went off & made us all laugh as usual. :)


8 comments:

Stan said...

It's bittersweet but I am so excited for you guys and your new adventure!!!! ;)

Todd said...

Congrats to you and your family!!

Linda Zieman said...

So exciting for you and your family and the folks who will benefit from your leadership in CA!

The Virginia Sterns said...

Awesome, cuz! What a story God is writing for your lives... next chapter coming soon.

mswillowgreen said...

Sounds awesome! I hope that you enjoy California, wait, nevermind, I know that you guys already do :)
I'll miss you all, be praying for your adventure.

Unknown said...

Hey. kevin best of luck to you and your family!!

marisa said...

Blessings upon Blessings, as I know the teens here will miss you dearly and the new ones will be touched, Thank you for all your service all these years

Neal Benson said...

Kevin,
So pumped for you man! You are going to be in the heat like me. You are going to love So Cal (the heat of summer not so much).
Praying for you and this transition in life.