Saturday, June 21, 2014

The Next Chapter in Our Lives

When I was told "I think it's time for transition" my world was rocked. I am a loyalist and don't look to jump around from place to place. I have been in my last 2 jobs for almost 18 years. As you know, I have been a stay-at-home dad since March 1 and it has been fantastic. I have really enjoyed being home with my kids. (There is an upcoming post on stay-at-home Pappa life).

I want to tell you a story. On Saturday, March 8, I had lunch with my friend Kurt. We were catching up and sharing stories. He asked me what I wanted to do next. One of the things I told him I would love to do is to be a youth pastor leading a student ministry team in a local church. He thought I would be great in that kind of role. An hour later, Scott, the executive pastor at Southwest church in Indian Wells, California called him and told him that their student ministries team leader was leaving and wondered if Kurt knew anyone who might fit the bill. He told Scott that he just had lunch with his next guy!

I didn't know about that phone call until about a month later but Kurt did tell me that night but he found the perfect place for me. He set us both up on an email together and later that week we had a phone conversation just to get to know each other a little bit. We really enjoyed our conversation!

From there he asked us to look at some of the videos from the services that explain their vision for the future the church. After watching that and chatting the next week they asked us to come down and see if the area in the church and the people even fit. If that was the case then we could keep going with our conversation.

Even though we were down during a sandstorm we both loved our time there! We love the people, the area, the vision of the church, etc. We even stayed in the same hotel with bands who are performing at the Coachella festival and got to know son of them. That was pretty cool. 

After praying and seeking counsel we decided we want to come back for round two. That was a week, for me, looking "under the hood" during all of their meetings throughout the week. I also got to sit down with several of the people on their team one on one. It was a great time and I was thankful that Jeanne-Ann joined me for the last weekend of that trip. 

We met with the high school volunteer team for lunch and asked lots of questions back and forth. That was a really cool time. I also spoke at the 1st middle school service and then the high school service. On Monday we drove around with a real estate agent and looked at a bunch of homes before we flew home. Wow!

We chatted at the end of the week and agreed that we should make this thing happen. I'm so thankful that Kynzi and Karston have been involved in the conversation since the beginning. Although it will be a tough departure we all agree that this is what God is calling us to do. 

So, on August 1, I will start at Southwest Church as the Student Ministries Team Leader/High School Pastor! I will be working with a great team in the student ministries world and a great team at the church! Anyone need a place to stay during their next vacation? 😊👍✈️


We sure could use your prayers on a number of things. We need to sell our house! Ugh. We also need to find a place to live there too. We need to find the right home, neighborhood, schools, etc. Transition is not easy. Jeanne-Ann is leaving a job she loves, we are leaving "family" and our home of 18 years, Kynzi and Karston are leaving all they have known (so are Haak and Nyah, but they are getting bunk beds when we move and that is all that really matters...though there will be a point when they don't understand why we can't see some of their favorite people) and we are starting over in so many senses. 

I am super excited about what we are going to, but quite sad about what we are leaving. 

Thank you for your prayers!

13 comments:

Unknown said...

They are a very lucky church to get the Williams family. We will miss seeing you around here but look forward to hereing about all your new grand adventures! - <3 the Yoho's

iaandbob said...

I am so excited for you. I know God already had this place in mind for you. I keep praying for all of you during your good-byes. Love you!

Andy said...

Erik... that's Jolie's parent church! They live there six months of the year. We often visit.

Congrats... and God Bless the transition.

brian said...

Prayers going up for you all! Sounds exciting. God Bless. Brian

brian said...
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brian said...
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Pshawn said...

Praying for you all as you transition. May God continue to use your family in serving His people. Love ya Erik!

Anonymous said...

Excited for you Erik! Jon Vallier

Unknown said...

Thanx for the prayers and encouragement! I so appreciate it and so does my family!!

todd himple said...

Congratulations to you Erik. Praying for you and your family during this transition! that said, you will be missed!!

Anonymous said...

You have touched so many lives Erik....our JaKe being only one of them! We are praying for you, trusting and believing, God has already gone before you in this new and exciting adventure. Thank you for your years of ministry to our youth in the Pacific Northwest. God's blessings on you, your family and the new ministry He has called you to. Debbi and Barry Hawney

Unknown said...

Good luck in the new ministry Erik, I'm excited for you. There is a special place in my heart for you always. You have been, and will continue to be, a very important person in my life. I have the utmost love and respect for you and I pray daily that I can make an impact on the lives of others like you have for me. You are my example, my role model, and my hero in ministry and I am so excited to see what God is going to do through you back in the local church full time!

Krister said...

Awesome, awesome news! So excited and you and your family!

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