Dear SBCC Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this to you. I have wrestled with even writing this, but I felt moved to not just sneak away in the dark and tell you how serving you and alongside of you has been a real light in my life. I've been part of the church staff for 3 1/2 years and part of the church family for the better part of the last 17 years. These were some of the most formative years of my life both spiritually and physically. It has been a true honor and privilege to be with you and it is not by my own choice that I leave you. I believe God has set in motion another mission for me and for Shanna and we are both saddened by the departure but excited for what is arriving. Looking back at the journey, the Christmas musicals, Easter events, baptism celebrations, hearing your touching testimonies, basketball, softball, football, leading high school students and college students, all of the crazy videos, those have been some of the best moments of my life that I will cherish always. I wish I could celebrate the opening of the new building with you and I know you will be blessed by all of the hard work that has been done and is ongoing for it. I know 2013 will be an eventful year for SBCC and I pray that God will continue to show His favor for this amazing church. And just as 2013 will be a big year for you as a church, it will also be huge for me and Shanna as we will be married this September. We will continue to pray for you and I humbly ask for your prayers this year because there is no doubt we will need it. Nothing of worth will be done without our Lord. Now I know this isn't really a goodbye forever, we will see you around or here on the net. I want to leave you with some words of encouragement. Keep up the work of Jesus, to love the poor and powerless. Give grace where it is irrational to give grace. Be the voice of hope for a world that is broken. We are all broken people loved by a God who restores and makes masterpieces out of our scattered parts. Here are some lyrics to a song called "This is Amazing Grace" which I hope Joey will be able to lead you all in very soon.
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Jesus I sing for
all that You've done for me
So be set free in 2013! We love you all to death!
Dale
Dale,
ReplyDeleteIt is a bittersweet goodbye for me. I've watched you mature from high school to now and so it seems weird not to have you around anymore. I will pray for you and Shanna and your continued growth in Christ. Although you guys are way younger than me, I've still looked up to you because of your dependability, creativity and way you lead our youth and young adults. I am grateful for the time I had to serve with you in Legacy and for the times you had to film my interviews :) Yes, it's not really goodbye, but see you later. You will do great things for God no matter where you go. I will deeply miss you at SBCC though.
Love in Christ,
Sherilyn
Aw, Sheri, we're going to miss you too! Mo and Caleb too! From playing softball at Wilson way back in the day to shooting an interview at Wilson by the pond, I'm so grateful for your friendship through the years! We won't be too far away though so we'll see you. We'll continue to pray for you and the family! Love you guys!
Delete