No Words

No words.

I really want to say "thank you." But there are simply no nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs or conjunctions that will do the job. And "thank you" seems so shallow and so ineffective in communicating my gratitude to you. Let me try anyway.

Thank you SO much for the humbling opportunity to be your pastor. You showered me with so much love, grace and encouragement in my role of shepherd. While the past few weeks have been extremely difficult, the Freedom River family has made it an absolute joy. I really appreciate how you gave the "rookie preacher" a lot of rope.

No words.

Thank you SO much for the opportunity to be your worship leader. From the moment I walked in the door, I could sense a passion for worshiping Jesus, especially through music. You made it so easy. You allowed me to take chances and continually pulled for me to succeed. I will always cherish our Sundays singing and praising our Savior together.

No words.

There are a boatload of folks I wish there was space to mention, but I would like to specifically thank a few people...

The Worship Team--WOW! You guys have amazed me for seven years, not only with your gifts and talents, but your heart for Jesus.

Ross Turner--What a friend, mentor and brother in the Lord.

JJ Swick--Always there, never wavering...that's why he's Elder Rock.

Jay Izso--Gotta love a guy who'll speak hard truth with a soft heart.

Ryan Keeter--He loves Jesus and my daughter...a great combination.

Scott Barfoot--Thanks for your endless trust and support.

But most of all, I want to thank the two most important people in my life. First, my wife Debbie, absolutely the greatest wife and partner a man could ever dream of. Baby, you're the greatest.

Finally, I couldn't fathom doing any of this apart from Jesus. My Savior continues to do such amazing things right before my eyes. In the words of the Caedmon's Call song Lead of Love: "How You've made good of this mess I've made is a profound mystery."

See I told you. No words.

In Christ,

Jay

Happy Trails

The scene is a motion picture classic...our cowboy hero riding off into the sunset.

And now we get to experience it first-hand at Freedom River.  Pastor Scott Barfoot has saddled up and is headed down the trail to Texas.  It's "westward ho!" for Scott, Debbie, Davey and Joel.  Next stop, Dallas and Scott's new position at Dallas Theological Seminary.  

It's hard to believe it's been four years since he came riding to our rescue like the US Calvary.  And what an amazing four years it has been.  When the Lord brought him our way, we were struggling without a pastor.  And many of us remember how Scott faithfully guided us through our facility crisis in 2007 that eventually brought us to our wonderful new home here at North Hills. 

Scott says that we might see him around for a few more days.  Debbie and the boys will probably be here just a bit longer before joining Dad in Dallas.  Do me a favor, when you see them, say "thank you."  Let them know how much Christ has done not only in your own life but in the life of our church.  God has truly blessed us through Pastor Scott's leadership and friendship.  

Scott, thank you.  You've become a great friend and mentor.  Thank you for your investment in my life.

As one man leaves, another will soon come riding into town.  Have confidence that God has already selected our next Senior Pastor.  He'll arrive in the Lord's timing and not a moment too late.

And as our gallant hero rides off into the sunset, I can hear him say, "The adventure continues, bro."  Those words were never more appropriate!

In Christ,

Jay

New Beginnings

There's a small plaque on my desk that my daughter Amy gave to me several years ago. It's a picture of a waterfall plunging off a cliff into a deep blue pool. Below the beauty of the image are the words...

New Beginnings: "In life what sometimes appears to be the end is really a new beginning."

I had been through a tough time at work and she was encouraging her dad as only a daughter can.

Years later, I look at that same picture and it makes me smile. And now it carries special significance as we head out into uncharted territory at Freedom River Community Church.

Sunday was Scott Barfoot's last service with us as Senior Pastor. But it's also a new beginning for him. He's heading on to his new position at Dallas Theological Seminary. Scott was not only my pastor, but he's one of my closest friends. I'll miss seeing him on a regular basis and simply hanging out.

It's a new beginning for me as well. I'm both excited and humbled to serve as FRCC's Interim Pastor. Through service at Freedom River and my ongoing seminary classes, God has been preparing me "for such a time as this." And I'm very grateful that Pastor Scott gave me the opportunity to preach on a regular basis in recent months.

While there are several changes at FRCC, we can be absolutely certain that we will stay the course.
We will stay the course in preaching God's Word.
We will stay the course as a river of God's grace.
We will stay the course as a place people can come just as they are.
We will stay the course as a place that loves Jesus.
We will stay the course.

Beyond that, what's ahead? Well, I'm not sure. I have no doubt that some folks are discouraged. But let remind you that Jesus has this way turning the most desperate situation into something mind-blowing. Check out what God said to the prophet Isaiah...

For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 49:13 NLT)

I've got a funny feeling God is "about to do something new" at Freedom River.

As the plaque says...
"New Beginnings: In life what sometimes appears to be the end is really a new beginning."

In Christ,
Jay