“I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.”  -Philippians 4:13

By now, members and friends of Living Water have received my letter telling about my calling to go to help lead Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in its ministry.  I won’t go into further detail about that call, as most of you have received that letter.

I do want to remind you, however, that as Living Water moves through the next chapter in its life, God promises to lead the way.  I recall when this community of faith began; in its first summer (1998) I wondered if the ministry would ever get off the ground.  A couple of Sundays we had about as many in worship as Jesus had disciples.  At that point, I tried my best to take the pressure off of myself by praying, “God, this is your church.  I will be faithful to this calling, but this is your church, so if you desire this to happen, I’m leaving it in your strong hands.” 

Today, ten summers later, I can look back and see that we all were truly in the middle of a miracle.  You all know what a good and faithful place Living Water is, largely because we have always lifted up our challenges and concerns to God in prayer. 

Yet, in a very real way, with the Mission Developer Pastor departing, Living Water enters into a new phase and chapter of ministry.  None of us knows exactly what that will look like, yet, just as the prayer went up to God in 1998, so too, I want you, first, to commit yourselves to being faithful to this place, and second, to pray that God’s strong hands will lead and direct the ministry according to His will.  You still are in the middle of a miracle.

God has a great future in store for Living Water.  Please keep outreach in the forefront of what you do in this place.  All people need to know and experience God’s love for them.  Congregations who get turned in on themselves, or become content with where they are, or who are not looking to grow, soon begin to die.  You will give me great joy if you give this ministry each and every day into God’s hands, even as you remain faithful to Christ’s calling to go into all the world making disciples of Jesus.

I’m sad in many ways; taking leave of you dear people is not easy for me or my family.  Yet at the same time I am confident and filled with hope in the God who leads us all into His future.  Taking the apostle Paul’s lead, let us rejoice, for as we trust in God we truly can “do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

It has been my privilege, pleasure, and great honor to have served with you at Living Water Lutheran Church.  We are always together in the mission and family of God.