Dear friends and family,
 
God is calling me to enter a new and strange season of ministry, a season of Sabbatical rest. This will be new and strange for me for two reasons:
1.      I will be taking three months to sit out of vocational ministry in order to rest and prepare for what God is calling me to in the next phases of my life. This is not something that I have done in over 19 years of ministry. 

2.    I will need to raise support in order to fund the sabbatical plan that has been approved by Compass Church. I did not get into vocational ministry for any other reason than to point teens to Jesus, that’s it. God has always taken care of our finances. In this case, I have a plan that has been approved, but that needs funding. I cannot afford this plan out of my own pocket. So, I have to ask for support, which is difficult for me to do.
 
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1.    Pray for us: As strange as this will be, I am excited about this season.  I am not the only one who has been running in ministry for so long, my family has as well. That said, in many ways this sabbatical is for Ginger and the kids as well. Please pray for rest, memories, deep connection with God, and clarity on the future.

2.   Support me financially: If you are able, I need your support. I cannot offer any tax deductions for donations. 100% of what I receive from your donation will  fund my sabbatical plan (see below). They will go primarily to fund our Israel trip, travel expenses for my 2-week trip to Trinity, and to visit leaders and mentors in Youth Ministry.

MY DETAILED SABBATICAL PLAN

November 2020 thru January 2021

PURPOSE:
1.      Rest: God is very clearly calling me to this, but that does not change how difficult this idea of sabbatical rest is for me. I have been running in Youth Ministry since I was 18 years old. That includes 5 years at Scottsdale Baptist, 2 years in Juvenile Detention, & now over 11 years at Compass. To be honest, there is a very real part of that worries about what will happen if I leave for these three months. But this is where I am reminded to rest in the fact that that God is God, and I am not! God is calling me to laying down my worries, fears, & insecurities and to trust God in what will be a very strange season for me. 

2.    Learn: I want to take some time to study theology (continuing my master’s degree) and to study the landscape of Youth Ministry. I am excited spend a lot of time in both of these fields while I am on sabbatical.

3.    Pray/Listen: This past 12 months has been very clarifying for me. God has not removed my calling in Youth Ministry. In fact, I feel like my calling is clearer than ever. However, I want to seek the Lord on this question: How do I influence teens and perhaps even the larger youth ministry world in the next seasons of my life?

PLANS:
1.    Spend 2 Weeks at Trinity Seminary - Trinity provides opportunities to Pastors to come to Trinity and spend some of their sabbatical on their campus. During this time, they will provide lodging on campus, meal ticket, parking permit, library card, attend Chapel, attend class and an opportunity to study, write, rest, and be refreshed. I have plans with them to take advantage of this opportunity in November of 2020. At that time, I will be toward the end of the semester in which I will be taking 2 online classes. I will use the time to study, rest, and spend quality time alone with God.

2.    Read – I have already begun assembling a list of books that I plan to read within in the fields of theology, sabbatical, and youth ministry.
Physical/Spiritual Activity – I have been saving for and planning to purchase a high-quality mountain bike. I love the outdoors. I love to connect with God while I am outside. My goal is to ride daily. I want to use my sabbatical to be active both physically and spiritually as I seek to connect with God daily while I ride and explore his creation.

3.    Seek time with Leaders & Mentors in my Fields of Study – I plan to spend time with old and new mentors as I process the next season of my life in Youth Ministry.

4.    Study Tour in Israel (with Ginger) – Ginger and I have applied for and been accepted to travel and study with GTI Tours in partnership with Hume Lake Christian Camps.

 January 11-22, 2021
9 days in Israel and 2 days of travel
$2,300 for Pastor/Full-time Ministry Leader
($3,300 for spouse)
All costs included (room, board, fees, airfare, etc.)

5.    Spend time investing in my marriage and family – Last, but certainly not least I want to rest with my family. Especially, with my wife who has been running with me for these past 15+ years in vocational ministry. I want her to rest as well. We have a family vacation planned, I am sending Ginger a way for a few days on her own, & I plan on spending one-on-one time with each of my kids for a day or two each as well.