God called us to FBC Millington when we weren't looking to leave Hickory Withe. We assumed d's next job would be a pastoring one, yet God said Go so we obeyed. We didn't understand what He was doing or why, but soon learned we don't have to.
Our transition to Millington was hard because we so loved the people of Hickory Withe. The job was an ideal one: great student ministry, great students, great adult leaders and staff, and a very supportive church... yet God was up to something. We questioned God and His plan. Knowing for certain He called us there, yet we couldn't seem to shake the feeling that He wasn't through moving in us.
Crazy circumstance after another, God began to reveal to D that he was to pursue pastoring. We fought it because God had just brought us to Millington, how could He be calling us to something else?!
One particular conversation he had with his worship leader intern, Bobby, was the defining moment. Bobby has a genuine passion and love for not only leading in worship, but for preaching. He loves what he does, but really feels like God is calling him to be a pastor. D encouraged him that these feelings weren't selfish but that it clearly sounded like God was moving in his life. He encouraged him that God had given him these desires and passions and how we will never be fully satisfied until we surrender to what God has called us to. It was in that moment that God showed D he was to listen to his own advice.
The feeling of unsatisfaction had nothing to do with the job, or the church, both are great, but his feelings came from the desires and passions that God had given him that he wasn't pursuing. We truly believe it took being in an ideal youth minister position for God to reveal these truths. He used FBC Millington: the pastor , several leaders, students, and then Bobby... to really make this clear. There was also tons of prayer, counsel from Godly men, and lots of scripture to confirm he was to pursue pastoring.
Meanwhile, Hickory Withe was still without a youth and recreation minister. One guy was hired and resigned his first day. We were shocked. And we didn't understand. Thankfully Bro. Eddie (pastor at HW) and D had a great relationship and kept in touch. This was how we found out about the other guy resigning on his first day. Bro. Eddie was also one of the men that D sought counsel from. After D shared what God had been doing, he also shared his desire to be trained, mentored, have preaching opportunities, etc. before God called him to pastor his own church. Bro. Eddie presented him with the opportunity to come back as the associate pastor. Because that guy had resigned his first day, it left a staff position open. They created this new position for D. He will be the associate pastor who will also be over several ministries. He will have scheduled preaching opportunities every month and the freedom to travel and preach. He will also be involved in the inner workings of the church (deacons meetings, business meetings, etc.) as well as accompany Bro. Eddie to hospital visits, funerals, etc.
Let me back up and say though.... even with this amazing opportunity to be trained, we still weren't confident that was what God was calling us to. It was def. enticing, but we wanted to make sure this was God's doing and not our own. We prayed and prayed and prayed some more. We read and read and read some more. We talked with our families and sought godly counsel. And found God clearly was directing us back to Hickory Withe.
We secretly met with the HW personnel committee without anyone at HW knowing. They were in favor of us continuing in this process so we set up a time to come in view of a call. Sunday, July 22 was the day. We were actually on a family vaca and drove back that morning to be at their service at 10:15. We had no idea how people would respond. Here's a glimpse:
I think they were in favor. :)
One of our friends found out that we were the secret couple coming and took pictures. We were overwhelmed by the love and support of this church. We shared our story with them and they voted us in this past Sunday, July 29. Which meant we had to do the hard stuff again... telling people goodbye. I hate to disappoint people so I dreaded this, but was confident in what God was doing. All I can say was there was peace. D did a fantastic job communicating to the congregation of Millington about our crazy journey. We were blown away by Millington's encouragement and support as well. I'm sure people talk and have negative things to say about us. We understand that people don't and won't understand b/c we don't either! But we trust the One who does.
Our first Sunday back at HW will be August 12th. We are sad to say goodbye to some awesome people, but are so excited to be doing what God has called us to do. We are so humbled that for whatever reason, He chooses to continue to work in us and use us. We are so unworthy, but so thankful for His goodness and faithfulness to us.
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