Thoughts on 6 Years at TSC
This Sunday we celebrate 6 years at Trailside Church. In all honesty, I wondered if we would see 2… then 3, and so on. This year while prepping for our 6yr worship on Sunday I looked at a ton of pictures. I found some great moments, some inspiring moments, and remembered even more challenging moments. I saw faces that have been a part of the story but moved to different states, other churches, and more; but what truly stuck out to me where the many faces that joined us throughout the life of this exciting, growing church, and seeing people who were single now engaged, fiancees now married (and some with sweet kids!), people who didn’t know Jesus at the time but now lead others in groups and ministries.
I see people who have given time, effort, finances, blood, sweat, and tears. Who have prayed hundreds of hours that we would be moving forward down the road. Close friends and elders who had the trust and courage to look me in the eyes and correct their pastor and friend who needed it at the time, and who celebrated alongside us as we brought Gavin into the world, baptized our 2 oldest, and celebrated birthdays, prayed with us through health trials… even loved others through marital hardship and children gone astray.
Call it selfish, but some of my deepest friendships I’ve found while leading this talented and broken group of people pursuing Jesus together. Now as we push towards the future of TSC even stronger, I have no doubt of what God will do in their families and ours as we take our next steps.
Church planting is hard, but Jesus’ statement about His yoke being light has never held so much weight in my heart. The greatest news of it all is that this is still just the beginning. As we prepare for another Sunday of celebration where we will worship the King, dedicate babies, install elders, and celebrate the families who continue to call Trailside home, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratefulness that we get to do this thing together.
To my church family: Thank you for standing by and holding my arms up when I had nothing left. For praying for our family and believing in the mission God has given us at Trailside. I can’t wait to see what is to come.
To our Elders and Staff: You are what makes this place so special. Im honored to walk alongside you, celebrate your wins, and walk with you through trials. When meetings go long or are scheduled in inopportune times, your desire to lead in excellence encourages me to no end.
To my family: CJ, Emma, and Gavin, you have given so much without ever realizing it. Thank you for believing in your daddy, who loves you more than you’ll ever understand. Mom and Dad, to worship next to you and for you to receive leadership from your middle son has been what kept me going when my emotion would convince me I couldn’t anymore. I love you.
To my beautiful wife: You are the glue that has held me together to hold it together for this church family that you love so much. Thank you for the nights when I had to be away to be there for others. Thank you for your encouragement and regular reminders that this calling is to US, and that I have a wife who will be by my side until forever. I am so grateful you said yes 20 years ago, and in the next 20 I promise to love you consistently even more — your grace, kindness, love, and perseverance give me hope each day. Your humility to sing and lead even when it makes you nervous… your desire to love people and come to meetings with engaged couples, to host dozens of people at our home consistently, and to be a beautiful smiling face while our house gets messy all over again is such a gift. Thank you not only for not giving up on me through all this, but believing so much in God’s call on our lives that giving up wasn’t even in your character to begin with. I love you forever and always.
This Sunday is going to be a whole lotta fun. I already can’t wait to experience it with all of you.
#youbelongatTrailside
