Life is always an adventure. Not like the adventures in fairy tails, but more like the Lord of the Rings. Adventure that involves excitement, sorrow, joy, pain, gain, and lose. This past week Desperation Church and myself have felt many mixed emotion with the news of Pastor Michael resignation. Feelings of sadness, lose, and at the same time feelings of peace and joy. Pastor Michael has played a huge role over the past 18 years as Pastor of Desperation Church, not only in my life, but in the lives of many all around the world. I can remember 13 years ago getting in a van with Michael and 7 other teens and driving to St. Louis for an Acquire The Fire conference. I remember that even then, Michael's passion and energy in his ministry was exactly the same as most of us have seen over the years. Pastor Michael has ran the race in his ministry here is Liberty Missouri. Never slowing down, and always continuing to follow Christ in everything he has done and will do.
Over the past year Pastor Michael has continued his ministry, but something was missing. His wife Kelly who has been suffering with severe head aches and has not been able to attend church. Kelly was there to love, support and do ministry alongside Michael. Michael's sermons continued to challenge us to continue to run after God, but you could tell that spiritually Michael is burdened, and his heart is heavy. This is why I have been having feelings of peace and joy more than lose and sadness after hearing the news of his resignation. Peace and joy that there will be healing for not only Kelly, but for Michael and the rest of the Craft family. That there will be rest spiritually, and physically. Rest and healing that I believe is over due and well deserved for Michael and his family.
This brings Desperation Church somewhere it never thought it would have to go through. We have been through many easy and exciting, as well as painful and hard times over the years, but looking for a new Pastor was one we never thought we would face. As this is a huge change for Desperation church, I am excited. Excited to continue to see the fruits of Pastor Michael and his families work here. Even though their work here for the moment it done, the fruits will continue to be evident for many years to come. Desperation Church will continue to go in the direction that Christ is leading. Desperation Church will continue to run after Christ, and continue to show Christ Love and Glory to those around us.
Desperation Church will be missing part of it's family. There will be a hole, a Craft Family shaped hole, but I am thankful that for me and many others "Church" for us isn't hearing Bil lead worship and Michael preach. Church for me and my family is so much more than just going to service of the weekends. Pastor Michael has created a community and the opportunity to be in community with other believers each week, each day. I know that Pastor Michael has shared the importance of being in a Relate Group (small group). There is a reason why, no one can live this life of a follower of Jesus Christ by just going to Church once a week. More and more we are going in a completely different direction than the world, and singing a few songs, and an awesome sermon on the weekends are not enough, at least enough to get us through for the whole week. It is living life everyday with other believers who are going in the same direction that gives us strength and the endurance to continue and be strong. For many of us at Desperation church we come from many different back grounds, but living life alongside other believers in our Relate group, and in our church has and will continue to be one of the biggest components in my families spiritual growth.
As this month is the last month of Pastor Michael's preaching at Desperation Church, I am excited for the opportunity to continue to hear Michael's heart. I pray and encourage that those who call Desperation Church home would get plugged in. Plugged into ministry, and into community with others. This is the way we are going to be stronger on the other side of this transition. Desperation church will still be, and will be for many years to come. God will continue the work that he started in Michael and Desperation church will continue to Love God, and Love Others in everything it does. I'm excited for this part in the adventure. The unknown of what is to come, and who will be the Pastor of Desperation is exciting, it is the unknown that keeps us on our toes. The adventure and excitement of our story isn't over, we still have a race to run, and our lives to live. Christ love, grace and guidance has been and will continue to be till the end. Let's be a church that continues to grow and run after God. Christ plan for Desperation Church is bigger than it's members, bigger than Pastor Michael, and I wouldn't miss it for anything.
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