Monday, August 15, 2011

Full Time

Several years ago while on a mission trip in the Amazon of Brazil Chad felt the call to youth ministry. At the time, we had no idea what that would look like but we continued to pray and seek how the Lord would use us. It was around that time that we began to serve as volunteers in our church's youth ministry. I worked the check-in table and Chad led a small group and we began to get our feet wet in youth ministry.

Then some transition took place with leadership within the youth ministry and Chad was approached and asked if he would like to become an intern leader and serve in that capacity. We were really excited to see that God was opening a little door and fulfilling Chad's desire and calling. Again, we didn't know where this would take us, but we were open and willing to see what God had in mind. 

The internship turned into a part time job offer and that is what he's been doing for the last ten months or so. While we knew we were where God wanted us to be for this season, we also knew that we could not continue to make ends meet on a part time salary forever.

We sought the Lord and asked Him to provide for our needs and place us exactly where He wanted us to be. The past month and a half have been a roller coaster of circumstances and emotions, but we can now clearly see the Lord's hand in it all.

A month ago we were prepared to step down from this season of ministry for Chad to take accept a different full time job that he was offered. BUT GOD had other plans. I could go on and on about all of the ways that He has worked, but here we are today surrendered to full time ministry with Chad as the FULL TIME student pastor at our church!

We are truly blown away by how the Lord has orchestrated all of this and we are so excited about the future of this youth ministry and what God is going to do in and through the lives of our students! Of course we would covet your prayers as ministry/life will look different for us now. If you had asked me five years ago if this is where we'd be, I would have never guessed it. But God knew and He's faithful! We are just along for the journey, and what a wild ride it is!

Blessings, Faith at 6:55 PM
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22 comments:

  1. JillAugust 15, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I just love you both dearly. I am truly excited to see how God will use you both!! Your church is so blessed to have you guys on staff.

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  2. SuperchikkAugust 15, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Student Ministry is a wonderful, challenging ministry! We were there for 10 years and now the Lord has moved us to another area of ministry. But really, everything you need to know about ministry, you'll learn with students!

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  3. JennaAugust 15, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    I remember standing in the ATL airport waiting on Caroline to come up on the escalator and talking about how God was laying it on Chad's heart to do ministry.

    So much has happened since then, and I am so proud of ya'll and your commitment to see that calling through however the Lord would have you do it. Simply amazing! I know it has been so hard with many ups and downs, but also so rewarding as you watch God work out every single detail - and even better than you could have imagined!

    I am sooo thankful my visit to Charlotte was when it was and I was able to watch first hand as God prepared everything to happen at just the right time! It really is amazing!

    I cannot wait to see what God does through Chad in that position and what he continues to do through ya'll as a couple! I love you both SO much!

    And PS....ya'll should be on the cover of some magazine. :-)

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  4. KristinAugust 15, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    How exciting for y'all! I loved the years I worked with the youth group at our church -- such a great opportunity!! Oh, and the words "But God" always give me goosebumps -- there is so much power in those words!!

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  5. KatAugust 15, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Congratulations, that is exciting news indeed!!! Those students are very fortunate to be led by Chad. Love you both!!!

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  6. AshleyAugust 15, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Faith, I am SO, SO, SO excited for you and Chad! I will be praying for y'all! Y'all are such a testament to how to trust the Lord in everything. I will be praying for y'all as you start this new journey. I can't wait to see where it goes!

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  7. KellyAugust 15, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Wow Faith. What a wonderful opportunity! I am so excited for y'all and even thought I don't *know* Chad...I do know that he is going to be so great at this just from what I've read over the years on your blog! Congratulations and I look forward to hearing more as he gets started!

    P.S. I'm still trying to choose design elements. I've even been considering changing the title to my blog and just can't make up my mind- but I'll let you know when I get it all figured out!

    Also, I read this blog---it's written by the wife of a youth pastor. You might enjoy it...
    http://travandsteph.blogspot.com/

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  8. DeidreAugust 15, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Faith! How exciting! I just love stories of how God shows up right on time and does things in such a way there is no doubt it was Him. Yes, He is faithful!

    Youth ministry is such a special way to serve the Lord! I pray God blesses all you and chad set out to do for Him!

    Love you, friend.

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  9. amyAugust 15, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    that's awesome!!! excited for yall! growing up- my youth minister made the BIGGEST impact on me and my relationship with the Lord. What a special job!

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  10. JennyAugust 16, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    WOW girl! I am so excited for you guys! I so admire your patience and humble obedience to follow the Lord as he called! You both are a living testimony and I KNOW the impact you will have on those students lives will be GREAT! Thank you for your willingness to serve! I know so many will be blessed by and through you!! HUGS!

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  11. LaurenAugust 16, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    sooooooooooooo exciting!!!!! :)

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  12. Rebecca JoAugust 16, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    that is the COOLEST news! I've worked in youth ministry for 7 years now & love every second of it. I always say & believe it takes a special person & heart to work with teenagers & God knows that person... & He's called Chad - how cool is that! I know for you, you will be just as involved in the youth ministry as well - so much fun!
    I also know (& know you can agree) that there is no such thing as "part time" ministry - so I'm glad to see Chad will be getting the benefits of what I'm sure he's already been doing ;)
    Big high-five to you both! Go Reach those Kiddos!!!!

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  13. MeganAugust 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    What an awesome story God has and is orchestrating!!! This is so exciting for ya'll, I'm sure the students just love y'all to pieces!!!

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  14. Worthy of the PrizeAugust 16, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Awesome!! My hubby is a minister as well and we are in a whirlwind right now as God is doing something huge in our lives. Check out www.apreacherswife.com {blog for ministry wives} and also www.517creations.blogspot.com {blog of my friend/ministry partner who is a youth pastor's wife as well}. May God bless your ministry and life together!

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  15. StephanieAugust 16, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    I LOVE this Faith and Chad!!! Congratulations, I am so excited for you as you walk this new journey...Welcome to the club :) I just had a feeling a few years ago when you started volunteering that He was going to call you to it full time one day. I'm sure the kids just LOVE you guys, and the parents too. It's a wild ride being in ministry full time and yet, I wouldn't change anything if we had to do it all over again! There are ups, there are downs but the Lord is so faithful and He will continue to amaze you as you trust Him for every step. It's a BLESSING to be in youth ministry and He does take care of those He calls. SOOO Excited for you guys! I'll be praying!

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  16. StephanieAugust 16, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    By the way, you are also going to make one darling Pastor's wife!!

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  17. heather kAugust 17, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    How exciting!! It is so encouraging to hear how God's timing and plans work, so I thank you so much for sharing!! What a blessing!! You guys have been on my mind a lot over the past 6 weeks or so and I had been praying for you. I wonder if this was why the Lord was laying you on my heart. Either way, super excited for you guys!! I can't wait to see what God does in and through both of you!!

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  18. MelissaAugust 17, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    What an answer to prayer! I am very happy for you both and I miss you! Love ya!

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  19. MiMiAugust 21, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Faith,

    I am so excited about the path that God is leading you and Chad down. He has clearly had His hand on you since the day that the two of you met and it is so exciting to be on the outside looking in as we watch His perfect plan for your lives unfold.

    Our church is so blessed to have such awesome role models for our Youth to follow...lives that are a living testimony to the faithfulness of God and lives spent trusting Him.

    As a member of SCCC, I could not be happier, but as your mother, I am so proud of the two of you. Words cannot express what you and Chad mean to me and how very much I love you.

    I know that God is going to do REMARKABLE things in and through you both!

    I love you to pieces! ( ;
    Mom

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  20. Ashley Shelley - The Christian Wife LifeAugust 22, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    Just started following your blog. :) It's refreshing and encouraging, and I'm glad to have found it!

    That's awesome that God completely guided the way to full-time ministry. I'll be looking forward to more posts about your journey and the new experiences ahead of you.

    Much love,
    Ashley - www.christianwifelife.com

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  21. petriiAugust 22, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    OH how exciting Faith!!! So happy for you both and know that God will use you completely and fully to bring Glory and Honor to His Name!! Praise Him!!!!!

    Love you friend ~~ Dawn

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  22. Laura @ BeholdingGlory.comMarch 19, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    Very exciting! Visiting from Kelly's. Nice to meet you. :)

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