Our First Youth Group
My years at Oceanside have been some of the best years of my life. I have been a part of Oceanside church since its inception. This is also the longest I've ever been at a single church. Through the years I've met many life long friends that I've had the privilege of serving the Lord along side. I'm going to miss them all very much.
When God told me to go to seminary I wasn't sure what that meant. It was going to be a MASSIVE life change. I needed a job. I needed a place to live. I needed a school. You can read more about that process of trust and faith in this former blog.
God came through (imagine that?)! I have a school. I have a place to live. I have a job. Some hear me say that, "God came through" and ask, "Well it all just works out for some people." That would never happen to me." And I don't want to off sounding like I didn't work to accomplish any of those things. God worked through me to get them done. Over the past year Allie and I have prayed hard, but we've also worked hard. In my first round of sending out my resume I sent it out to 8 different churches. I applied to be everything form a senior pastor to a choir director.
Our first youth camp... only 9 of those people are ours. I have no idea why the rest of them are in the picture.
In the end only one church called me back, and they are awesome. When I said I got a job, I meant I got a great job. I'm going to be the Student Minister at Cross Culture Church in Raleigh, NC. Head over to their website and check them out. When I walked into Cross Culture for the first time I felt at home. They're a great church that loves the Lord, loves people, and wants to see those far from God come to Him.
With every job there are going to be challenges. I'm not saying everything is going to be perfect, but I am saying that I truly believe God was in this whole thing. I'm excited to work beside Pastor Clay, the youth, and the members of Cross Culture.
Camp Kinetic 2012
Oceanside will always hold a special place in my heart. It's where I cut my teeth on ministry. It's where I learned to walk in ministry. It's where I learned to run and jump (And fall through ceilings) in ministry. I love you guys, and will continue to love you. Keep serving the Lord! Don't slow down.
I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Philippians 3:12-16
