I Left My Home Behind

Over the past month and a half I have made a new transition in my life. I was given a wonderful opportunity to go be a youth pastor (my dream, and what I've always hoped to be) at a different church.

Choosing to go and do this has been one emotional battle. Because my world, my safe place, my home, is Faith Community Church.
       
Growing up I didn't stay at a church longer than 3 years. I would go, get involved, and get ripped away. I didn't find my home until the summer before my 6th grade year. I was terrified to start over once again...especially after being kicked out of the previous church we attended. I started to attend Faith Community Church during one of their VBS programs and I loved it. It may have been a church inside of a house but that's not what made them who they were. The people (now my family) have always been so welcoming and loving.

I've loved every moment spent at Faith. Especially over the past few years. I have known for a long time that ministry is the career path God wants for me. It didn't really matter the area, because God has given me the ability to do whatever has needed to be done or to work in any area that has needed help.  This is something I only learned over my high school career at FCC. God has blessed me with the talents and gifts He has so that I could go forth and bless others and help His ministry here on earth.

Youth Ministry has been a calling of mine whether I really knew it or not. I believe I've known since about 6th grade that I wanted to be a pastor. Throughout the years it became more evident that youth ministry was my calling. Two of the most amazing people that I have had in my life were/ are a youth pastor. One, I am still thankful to have in my life today. Working along side both of them has helped me realize what God wants for my life. Now granted it may not be forever, but I know that some type of ministry will always be my career.

I've enjoyed everything I was a part of at Faith. I loved being a part of tech crew. I've love being a part of worship team...it was defiantly a struggle being up in front of everyone, I ended up loving it, though I still get nervous. I got to do the "Welcome" on occasion .. I love talking in front of people, but that doesn't mean it doesn't make me sick to my stomach every time I do. But after I have done so, I love the feeling of getting the opportunity to. (That's one of many things I have seen God help me grow through.) I have also loved using my photography skills as a ministry within my church. I enjoy photography so much, that getting to use it to honor God is amazing! I've also been a part of children's ministry at FCC and I have loved seeing those kids grow up. Some of the kids I have known since they were born and to see them grow week to week is really an awesome thing to experience. At times I did struggle with being content with working with the children, because it's exhausting and sometimes one of the most thankless positions to have and you don't see the turn around right away. But knowing some of theses kids and seeing them accept Christ as their Lord and Savior...and knowing you helped plant that seed is by far the greatest reward.  Though I never really got to be that deeply involved in helping out with the youth group once I graduated high school. I loved ever single minute spent with my crew growing up. I have had the greatest youth pastor in the world, whom has also been one of my greatest friends over the years. I couldn't have asked for a better role model. I've loved working by his side and helping him with youth stuff even if most of it was behind the scenes. He is my hero. I hope to be just like him.

It has been my dream for quite awhile to graduate college and then work alongside  my own youth pastor...because by then FCC would grow and they would need another pastor on staff. I would be so lucky to get to work in my home with my best friend and impact the lives of those I love. By NO MEANS am I giving up on this dream. It could still happen! It just feels a little of a reach right now.

So leaving my home church behind has been quite a test over these past weeks. Leaving the people that mean the world to me and who have accepted me no matter what I faced is extremely hard. Not getting to spend time with my best friend like I use to is heart wrenching.  Not getting to see those I have grown up with for the past  9 years every Sunday and getting to partake in worshiping our great God together is hard for me.

But I know that I had to take a leap of faith and know that God wants me to try to help another church for the time being. It may not be easy for me, and I know God never said that things would always be easy. I like the quote "the hardest things in life are the most rewarding."
So I am going to face this. In hopes that my God has a great plan for my future.