This past weekend, the Senior Pastor at Ridge Point Community Church (where I work) announced that he has accepted the position of CEO for Prison Fellowship - the nation's largest prison ministry. You can read the press release for more information.
As the Senior Pastor, Jim is my boss, but he has been much more than that for me. He has been my mentor for six years and a friend for even longer. I've known Jim since I was very young. When he shared the news with me of him moving on from Ridge Point, I reminded him that it was his fault I was in ministry. During my senior year of college, when ministry became a possibility, I drove up to Holland to have a conversation with Jim about these wrestlings in my heart. I hoped he would talk me out of ministry but he did just the opposite - he offered me a job at Ridge Point.
He took a chance on me and gave me an incredible opportunity. Because of him, I have been given the opportunity to fully pursue the Lord in full time ministry and grow more and more into the pastor God has created me to be. I have learned all the things from him that they don't teach you in seminary (which is about 95% the things you really need to know).
He taught me more than the technicalities of how to do a wedding, funeral, or preach. He taught me how to love and care for people with the deep, compassionate love of Jesus. For that, I will be forever grateful.
I'm excited for this new season of life for Jim and am anxious to begin this new era of our friendship.
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