My Grandma told me several times when I was dating Brad that he could be a preacher! "He could!", she'd say. "He has the personality of a pastor."
So I shouldn't have been so surprised when, back in October, Brad told me he felt called to be a lead pastor in a church. It's a natural transition actually, although probably not the most common among music ministers. I've heard Brad preach every Wednesday night for the past 10 years, during "devotion" time in choir. Brad's devotions always became sermons on worship or whatever God was teaching him in the moment. His choir has been his church. As their pastor, he has loved on, and cared for them , visited many in the hospital, and had a huge part in their lives.
I have prayed for a long time that I could be near family, and I think after Brad's dad passed away in December of '05, he felt the same. So this new calling brought much excitement at the possiblity of going "home". We both grew up in Kansas, but then we could also say the same about Texas. Our babies are little "native Texans". We've spent our married lives here, made many memories and many more friends.
We look forward to ministering to our own family as well as our church family there. Halstead is a small town, 20 minutes from Brad's Mom, my brother & Brad's sister. "Coincidentally" (which really isn't but it's fun to say), my SISTER, Carrie, is moving to Wichita from Colorado Springs, as I now type. Her husband recently got a job at the same bank Brad's Mom works at. My parents are still 3 hours away, but with all 3 of their kids and grandkids in the same town....you know we'll see them often.
There are only 5 evangelical churches in the county where Halstead is, and even those aren't trying to reach the lost. Brad feels called to start a church that's NOT for Christians. So many people are turned off by what the church has become known for, or even more specifically, what they are Against. It's become our hearts desire to start a church with the simple mission of being Jesus to the people we meet every day. We've learned so much from the churches we've served in, and the pastors we've served under. Pastor Sam started our church here 19 years ago, with 6 families. What better mentor for God to bring into Brad's life for such a time as this?!
I'm stressed with the business of keeping the house clean. (we've had 2 showings since Wed, and 2 more this weekend!) I'm all about the details, so I'm making list after list after list.... Okay, so I'm a little freaky. I have a dot to dot on my face and I cry at the littlest thing, but.....
God is so good. How can I be anything other than thankful?
