One of my dear friends is taking another big step. He's taken big steps before (like when he left his career in the marketplace and joined my staff at GCC). He's faithful, courageous and filled with hope. He loves Jesus and long ago resolved to follow God wherever He leads.
Jesus led Butch (and his wonderful family) to GCC many years ago. Most recently Butch has served us by working on the SMT. He believes he has accomplished the mission God gave him, so he is moving off the paid staff at GCC and onto the Administrative Council. He'll add great value there. I know that because that's what Butch always does.
I'm proud of Butch. I'm looking forward to his ongoing "arts" ministry on the weekends and his wise contributions to GCC's Ad Council.
Here's how Butch explained his decision to his team...
"Dear Arts Team Friends –
I wanted to take a moment to tell you about a personal adventure I’ll be taking in the near future. A little background: Five years ago, I felt God’s call to move into ministry at GCC. So, I left my career to come to GCC. Next to marrying Chris, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have not for a moment doubted my calling, nor regretted my decision to follow that call. However, over the past several months, I have had this sense of completion - a sense that I have helped take our teams to the place God has asked of me, but that there are higher, better places God has in store for our team. I have also sensed that God wants someone else to help lead us there."
If you want to read the rest of his explanation and purpose, go here and get it in Butch's own words.
Following God's lead is not easy, but life with Jesus is what we all desire. So we listen to the Spirit's promptings and (through the scriptures, wise counsel and the knowledge gleaned from our own experiences) we do our best to discern God's will.
Even the great Apostle Paul had some challenges "knowing for sure" what God wanted him to do, so let's do our best to encourage each other as we follow the promptings of God and serve Jesus together.
Acts 16:6-11 - They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas. That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. Putting out from the harbor at Troas, we made a straight run for Samothrace.
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