This past Sunday was, officially, my last day at Kensington Church. This season definitely represents a significant chunk of my professional life. Just shy of 8 years according to my official HR start date. Almost 9 years since I met Kevin and jumped into the unknown. Wow!
At the end of both services Sunday Kevin invited me and the family up to say thanks, say goodbye, and pray for us as we jump out on this next adventure. I had some tentative thoughts planned, but the song we closed out the day with kinda threw me and got me reflecting on the last 15 years, and not just the last 8.
Maybe you’re familiar with the Elevation Worship song, Do It Again… If not, the chorus says:
I’ve seen You move, come move the mountains
And I believe, I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I’ll see You do it again
And I realized this journey we’re ended, the new adventure we’re starting, they are just another page in a larger story that God has been, and will continue to be working in. God brought us back to Orlando, introduced me to Alex, introduced me to Kevin and Kensington, brought me on staff, lead us through a short sale, changed my role at Kensington countless times, and brought me to this place we are at now. And so we begin the long climb to being fully supported in my new role. But God has done so much to get us to this moment where we can begin that climb, why would I doubt that God would do it again.
The one thing I think I articulated reasonably well Sunday (it was an emotional moment) was simply this. Following God was worth it. It was worth it to come back to Orlando. It was worth it to jump in with Kensington. It has been worth the struggle that planting a church like Kensington has been. And it is worth it to jump off on this next adventure. I don’t know how easy or hard this next chapter will be, but I know it will be worth it.
I’ll leave you with links to video from this past Sunday. Not my best, composed, stage moments, but like I said, it was an emotional day. One of those bittersweet moments of joy and loss.
For more info on our upcoming adventure, go to chrismarsden.com/gcmi.
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