Thanks Grace Church!

It’s a difficult thing to describe and share how thankful I am, and how thankful our family is for our 6 ½ years at Grace Church. These have been some of the best years of our life. We came to Grace in 2003 with four kids and a lot of excitement. Cameron our oldest was seven (he’s now 14) and Caden (who’s 3) wasn’t even born. We started out serving at 114 Channahon Street in Shorewood and eventually relocated right here. Many things have changed. The one thing that hasn’t changed is an amazing God who had done great things in all of our lives. I want to express thanks to you...

1. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve great people.
You…the people of Grace are awesome! You have loved us as a family. You’ve taken care of us, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts. This is a great church, and I consider it an honor to have served you.

2. I’m thankful for the opportunity to grow professionally.
I believe that God has used my 6 ½ years here to prepare me for the next season of ministry. This has been like a greenhouse of growing and learning for me, and now I get to take what I’ve learned and bless another faith community.

3. I’m thankful for the opportunity to not “play it safe”.
I think many people and churches choose the familiar over the breakthrough because it’s easier. It’s safe. I think God is tired of weak, safe Christ followers (and churches) who don’t take a step. We’ve had an aggressive strategy to reach this city. We’ve swung for the fences, and it’s been fun. I’ve learned that it’s more fun taking bold steps with Jesus than sitting on the sidelines watching without Jesus.

4. I’m thankful for the opportunity to help people begin and grow a friendship with Jesus Christ. My heart for reaching and serving people has blended with yours, and some of my happiest memories have been watching people cross the line of faith. Together, we’ve had the chance to be a generous, life-changing community.

5. I’m thankful for this community.
We have loved living here and have enjoyed doing life in this community, not just the church, but this area. God gave us a heart for loving where we live.

We now get ready to exchange Chicago deep-dish pizza for Philly cheese steak. And Chicago style hot dogs for soft pretzels. And Italian Beef for Hoagies. It’s saying goodbye to the Bears, the White Sox, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks and hello to the Eagles, the Phillies, the 76ers, and the Flyers.

So, here’s my prayer for Grace Church…may you understand that God loves to use His church to impact and change people. May you choose to place your one and only life in the hands of Jesus who can fill you with purpose and direction and passion and meaning. May you come to know that your one life can change the life of another through something called THE CHURCH...the hope of the world. GOD BLESS YOU.