A New Path

I still have our fun Christmas pictures to post but I'm going to take time now to update you all on what the Lord is doing in our lives.

In the first 2 weeks of January for our family worship we all memorized the scripture Psalm 16:11..."You will make known to me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. In Your right hand are pleasures forever." The girls learned it quickly and said it regularly and we explained the meaning of it. How perfect of a verse it was for us. On January 11th, Nate accepted a new call to ministry in Franklin, TN. We had prayed and prayed for a few months to where God was leading us. We love First Presbyterian, Jackson and have made some wonderful friendships. The kids love it. So to uproot us all and move, in the middle of the school year, was a hard decision. But we know we made the right one. God has confirmed it in so many ways and has made it clear repeatedly. The girls are excited about the move and know several little kids in Franklin. We have had lots of tears shed and know the next few months will be hard but we trust in God to comfort us and take care of us. We will be moving the first of March. I am going to post the letter that we sent out to several of our friends that describes the job and our feelings. Please pray for us as we try to sale our house, pack, find a home in Franklin, and leave some really great friends and a wonderful church.

Friends,

It is with sadness and hopeful anticipation of God’s call that write to inform you that I will be stepping down from my position as Minister of Discipleship and Young Adults to accept a new call to ministry as the Assistant Minister for Church Planting at Parish Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN.

This opportunity presented itself several months ago, and through much prayer and advice from many godly shepherds, the Lord began to slowly warm our heart in this direction. Christy and I now have a “fire in the belly” for this new role, and we look forward to serving Christ and His Church in middle Tennessee .

Our final day at First Presbyterian Church will be February 28, 2010. We will transition to Franklin , TN , during the month of March and will begin laboring at Parish Presbyterian Church on April 4, 2010 (Easter Sunday).

The six years we have been in Jackson and a part of First Presbyterian Church have been marked by deep joy and contentedness. The Lord has grown us, shaped us, credentialed us, and called us during these years, and we have absolutely no complaints or regrets. We express with the hymn writer, “Blessings all mine, with 10,000 beside.” Please know that we have chosen to accept this new call for no other reason than a strong sense of God’s leading. In accepting this call, we have experienced tremendous peace and confirmation, but at the same time, we fight back the pain and sadness of leaving. When you see us, you will more than likely see smiles on our faces and tears running down our cheeks. The reason for this is that Jackson and First Presbyterian Church have become home, and it is never easy leaving a place you love so much.

In the eight weeks we have left in Jackson , I look forward to speaking with many if not all of you personally. Thank you all for the ways you have cared for me and my family these years. We love you, and we will miss you. May God bless you all.

“You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”—Psalm 16:11

Grace & Peace,
Nate, Christy, Rosalyn, Katie, and Knox.