This week, I finished my time as the youth pastor at College Park Church in Huntington, Indiana. It has been a remarkable time of growth as a minister, as well as a person of faith. We raised our kids here and had so many phenomenal experiences. Before leaving the church for our next assignment, I took some time to walk around the church one last time to thank God for the wonderful ways He met me in this season and to ask His blessing upon the ministry as it continues forward. Here is a poetic prayer about the experience.
I walked the halls
Where little feet trod
And found their home
In the heart of God
I stood reminiscing
In the sanctuary space
Where we worshiped the Lord
With this family of faith
I sat down one last time
On the youth room chairs
And remembered the many times
We felt Christ’s presence there
Youth center, library, lounge, halls
Commons space, game room, stairwells, parking stalls
Road trips, mission trips, concerts and more
In all these places, one thing’s for sure:
This
was
no
bore!
This was an adventure!
God was there! God was in it!
God was with us, every single minute
Through smiles and tears, praises and fears
God touched our lives through the people here!
Lord,
Thank you for this time,
this place,
this people!
Thank you for choosing me
Thank you for using me
Thank you for shaping me
Thank you for making me
Thank you for teaching me
Thank you for keeping me
Now as you release me
I trust you to be with me
I ask your continued blessing
On this family of faith
Who touched my life
in so many profound ways.
As I stand here on my final day
I lift up my heart and eyes to pray
I hear your call and step forward in faith.
With gratitude for this time, this people, this place!
~Amen.
