An Announcement and Note of Thanks

18 years ago, in June, Jason, Caleb and I walked through the doors of Southeast Christian Church for the first time. Russ McCracken greeted us and remembered us the next week when we came back. We had just moved to Colorado and Caleb was about 2 months old. We got involved in the Young Married Sunday School class. Soon, we were hosting a couple’s small group. From there our involvement grew and expanded to involvement in many areas, with a strong emphasis on small groups. 13 years ago, in February, Jason accepted a position with Southeast and we took a leap of faith.

Southeast has been a haven to us for many years and for many reasons. Jason and I met Jesse and Nicole, some of our closest friends, the 2^nd week we attended.  I met and developed friendships with many young moms through MOPS. We made friends with couples and families throughout the years who stood by us through the birth of 2 more kids, the young parenting years, the death of both of Jason’s parents, health issues and scares for various kiddos, adopting 2 kids from Haiti, my emotional instability ;-), and many other life events. All five of our kids were baptized in the sanctuary.

Our kids have grown up here. They are known at Southeast. They have places to learn and to serve. They are seen and appreciated.

Jason has grown as a leader, project manager, teacher, and pastor at Southeast. He had the opportunity, thanks to the generous support of the leadership, to attend and graduate from Denver Seminary with a masters in Formation and Care. His mom was able to come and see him preach just 3 short weeks before she passed away. He has been mentored by amazing staff, members, and elders who have poured into him. He found his calling and developed his gifts and I have been blown away by the gift of getting to see him thrive.

This Sunday, Jason will attend his last service as an employee at Southeast. It is time for a new adventure for him. Our journey is taking us in a new direction. There is sadness in the closing of this chapter, but it’s okay too. Jason completed his time and his calling there. We feel so much peace that he finished well and we’re confident that he’ll take all he has learned with him wherever he goes. We both will.

Our gratitude for the love and support of the staff at Southeast, especially over the past few months as we have prepared for this day, is hard to put into words. They have gone above and beyond to honor Jason. We are so thankful for the incredible staff and volunteers that Jason has had the gift to work with and for over the past 13 years. Southeast has been generous toward us in so many ways and we carry much love with us as we move on to the next adventure.

Jason has taken a new job with Arapahoe Libraries. He is excited to exercise his leadership and team building skills in a new environment and we’re thrilled that we get to stay in Parker.

Here's to new adventures!