Unexpected News
A little over two years ago, our family joined a local church called Grace Point (GP) as part of the transition out of IHOPKC. After our first visit, we sensed God tell us to stay put and join the GP family. Very quickly, we saw His goodness in that decision.
Grace Point came alongside us in our work with Minding The Gap by providing an excellent volunteer base, opened up their building for us to host the Pure Desire discipleship groups, and became a spiritual covering for our work through prayer, mentorship, and accountability.
Last month our church started a really good but difficult change. The senior pastor announced that he was resigning to care for his very sick wife and spend their remaining years together in pastoral care for missionaries. The news was bittersweet but well received by the congregation.
While looking for a replacement, the elders asked if I (Tim) would step in as interim pastor to help see the congregation through the transition. Rebecca and I have prayed about this and have accepted the position, desiring to give back to the congregation that has given so much to us.
This temporary arrangement has elements that we want to make sure are fully and clearly communicated to you as our partnership team. First, while we continue to serve with Minding The Gap (MTG), we have stepped away from the core leadership responsibilities of helping to oversee the six schools currently served. We have narrowed it to overseeing one single school during this interim assignment. Secondly, we remain committed to the three Pure Desire groups that are currently running, but are not intentionally helping plant and grow those outside of our church during this season. Both of these changes with MTG and Pure Desire together mean that we are engaged in missions work part time instead of full time for what will probably be about 5-6 months. The part time missions work and the part time pastoral work combined make a full schedule.
In this interim period, we are being paid an amount that is a third of our current monthly income. It is significant enough to be felt, but is not livable. What you do with that information is between you and the Lord. We just want you to be aware.
As always, thank you for your faithfulness to this family! We have the privilege of seeing people come to know God personally, lives be transformed, and God reign even in transitions like this. Serving Him with you is a gift.