I want to share a few words about a calling from God:
   A calling from God is not a huge mystery, it is not a voice from heaven, or a sign in the sky.
   A calling from God is an invitation from Central Christian Church to come love and work with the youth of the church and develop programs and outreach opportunities for youth, singles and adults.
   A calling from God is an invitation to develop the evangelism ministries of the church and to visit the sick and the home-bound.
   A calling from God is an invitation to work with some wonderful people on staff, on committees, and throughout this wonderful church.
   A calling from God is an opportunity to watch children grow from infancy to young adults, and to participate in their lives at various levels, even baptizing many of them, yet always remembering their early steps and words, their smiles and tear, and sitting on the floor of the nursery singing songs together.
   A calling from God is experiencing difficulties at times, discouragement and frustration at times, and yet always having the sense that this is the right place where God wants me to be, even when other opportunities come knocking at the door.
   A calling from God is becoming a part of a church family that really begins to feel like a family.
   A calling from God is becoming a part of a community where I never wanted or expected to live, and learning to know and love the people and even the idiosyncrasies.  Letting the place "grow on you, kind of like mold on cheese."
   A calling from God is learning to use your own skills and interests to connect with other people and to begin new programs and ministries, and learning that it's okay to not be good at, or inter

ested in all things.
   A calling from God includes the opportunity to watch leaders develop and grow and then take on roles of leadership that they (and you sometimes) were not sure that they had it in them.
   A calling from God includes great joy and job satisfaction, sometimes wondering, "and they pay me to do what I'd want to be doing anyway?"
   A calling from God has given me the opportunity to enjoy so many friendships.
   A calling from God has brought a very special lady into my life as my partner in ministry and the love of my life.
   Alas, a calling from God means sometimes having to leave behind friends and family and step out into the unknown, only knowing that it just seems like the right thing to do, and the right place to go, and that God is already at work there, calling God's people together for ministries of hope and reconciliation.
   But, a calling from God allows us to take with us such wonderful memories and relationships that will stretch across the country and warm our hearts on cold winter days.
   A calling from God gives us hope and peace in believing that God is, and will be, with us, and also with you, as we begin a new journey of faith
   What is God calling you to do?  I hope to pray for us often, and to build upon what we have accomplished together to become what God is calling you to be.
   Remember, that loving God and God's people and building new churches (and revitalizing old churches) to make disciples for Jesus Christ is something that God calls all Disciples to be engaged in.
   May God bless you and God's church, wherever it may be located.
   And thank you for giving so much of yourselves over the years.
   You have truly been a blessing for me and for Shannon.