Time to Say Goodbye

In the past few months, Rebecca and I have clearly felt that our season at Willow Creek was drawing to a close. We had a strong sense that our trip to Malawi in June would somehow mark the finish line for us. However we had no idea where God was leading us. During this process, we repeatedly read Habakkuk 2:1-4 and wondered how it might apply to us as we sought a new vision for the next part of our journey. “At a destined hour it will come with breathless haste. It will not fail. If it delays wait for it, for when it comes there will be no time to linger…”

On the first day back from Malawi, July 2, I was contacted by another church about a role that really fits my sense of calling. Over the ensuing weeks, God has made it clear that he is not just releasing us from Willow, but He is calling us to something new. We will be moving to Atlanta where I will be serving as the Pastor for Mission at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, leading their efforts in local and global mission. We are excited about this opportunity to serve in this role and to be closer to our family. Unfortunately we have to make this transition with breathless haste, because school started in Atlanta on August 10th. I will be transitioning off of staff at Willow on August 28th. While it would be our desire to have a longer transition period, we feel that God has been preparing our family for this move for months, and we feel that this quick transition is in the best interest of our children.

We want to thank you for all of your love and support over these past four years. It has been a great joy to serve with you. We have never served with a more committed group of Christ followers. I know that you will continue to have great impact in your community, because the reality is that you have not so much been following me as following Christ. We look forward to hearing the stories of what God is doing in Barrington and Cary-Grove. If you get tired of shoveling snow this winter, come see us!
http://www.peachtreepres.org/web/