Well...I've arrived! I've started my part-time job at Zoar MB in Inman this last Sunday. It was a really good Sunday too because I didn't have any responsibilities; only getting to know the student, which has been really really good. I know all 20 or so by first name already. It's been really easy to connect with them.
I have also found a place to live...it's a 2 bedroom duplex and it was the best deal in town. I move in tomorrow (10/1). I'll try and take pictures once I have stuff in and I get my camera from wherever it is. My supervisor and I will make the round trip from Inman to Wichita, Wichita to Hillsboro, Hillsboro to Inman to gather all of my stuff that I have left everywhere.
As far as other job stuff goes...I have a strong lead with Chili's in Hutchinson as a server. So...that will be a good way to supplement my income; assuming I'm good anyways. I have a second interview at Chili's on Friday...so hopefully that will go well and I won't have to worry about survival. Well...I'll update more as I get more and more busy with youth stuff and other work. Love you all!
9.30.2008
9.20.2008
The Next Stage in Life
Well, I have finally moved into the next stage in life. It wasn't my ideal situation, but I think it's a great opportunity to begin my ministry with youth. But first, I think I should give a little background, even if it is old new for some:
At the end of my senior year at Tabor, I had begun to send in resumes to to churches that I knew of that had openings in their youth ministry. Shortly after graduation, Dad encouraged me to talk with the district ministry, Tim Sullivan, and use that channel for an easier connection to churches. I met with Tim and we discussed churches that had openings, both part-time and full-time, in youth ministry. He helped by sending my resume to churches that were looking for part-time youth pastors and so a couple of weeks later I began to get phone calls. I got phone calls from two churches, both seeking part-time youth pastors. One church was in Lawton, OK and the other in Inman, KS. Since, I was down in Oklahoma City with Andy and Laura for physical therapy for most of the summer, I ended up taking a trip down to Lawton to do an interview. It was a LONG interview and I went away from it feeling that this opportunity was not for me. So that was basically the end of that opportunity.
On a trip up to Hutchinson for a doctor's appointment with uncle John, I met with my contact from the church in Inman, KS. It seemed like a great opportunity to work with their staff. I ended up going up to Inman to do a formal interview with their search committee. Shortly after, they ended up calling me with an offer. I delayed my response and told them I would like to wait to see what happened with a full-time possibility in Enid, OK.
I was one of two possible candidates for the position in Enid. I coincidentally found out who the other possible candidate was and it was someone that I had gone to school with and that I knew very confidently that I would be the better choice; as I shared this fact with many of my friends who knew us both, they agreed with me. So I ended up going through the interview process and I ended up going away from that feeling very confident about it. A couple of days after they had interviewed the other possible candidate, I got notice that I would NOT be in further consideration for that position. This was obviously a big disappointment.
The following days, I had contacted Inman again to see if the offer was still there. I find out that their church was feeling that they needed to move forward in a lot of areas, one of them being their youth ministry. Also, the day before I had called them, their senior pastor submitted his resignation. So, the elder board decided that they would hire for a full-time youth pastor right away instead of hiring as a part-time youth pastor. Since, I was still the only candidate, I was very excited that this all happened. Well, a week later, their church council met and overturned that option and decided to hire as a part-time again. At this point, the contact from Inman called me and offered the same offer as they had given me about a month before.
So, this brings us to the present. I have accepted that position and I start my weekly meetings with the high school (as is my only duty at this point) on the 28th of September. Dwight Carter, the person I have been in contact with throughout this process, has been very helpful in helping me tie loose ends together. He has searched for other job possibilities for me in order to help supplement my income, and has been looking at housing possibilities as well. So, to sum it all up, I am the High School pastor at Zoar MB Church in Inman, KS, working part-time until their search for a senior pastor is complete; in which case I will transition into working full-time with both jr. high and high school. Here's a fun little note: Zoar MB is located on Froese St. (pronounced the wrong way...I mean "other" way).
So, I will probably be moving up this week and starting life on my own. Finances will be a "little" tight, but God will provide.
Other events this summer:
I have completed my physical therapy and have had my final appointment with Uncle John. He says that I am at the point where most patients are in 4 months, and I'm only three months out. God gave me great recovery...and a great physical therapist (Thanks Laura!; I'll write you a success story sometime).
My car has received a dent in my rear bumper thanks to a handy plumber backing into it while it was parked in front of Andy and Laura's house. I'm still in the process of getting that fixed.
Also, Carrie and I have decided to give a dating relationship another chance. We're both really excited and we hope that God will give us both guidance.
Ok, I think that's all for now. Love you all! I hope to see you all (-Josh and Sara--sad) at Christmas.
At the end of my senior year at Tabor, I had begun to send in resumes to to churches that I knew of that had openings in their youth ministry. Shortly after graduation, Dad encouraged me to talk with the district ministry, Tim Sullivan, and use that channel for an easier connection to churches. I met with Tim and we discussed churches that had openings, both part-time and full-time, in youth ministry. He helped by sending my resume to churches that were looking for part-time youth pastors and so a couple of weeks later I began to get phone calls. I got phone calls from two churches, both seeking part-time youth pastors. One church was in Lawton, OK and the other in Inman, KS. Since, I was down in Oklahoma City with Andy and Laura for physical therapy for most of the summer, I ended up taking a trip down to Lawton to do an interview. It was a LONG interview and I went away from it feeling that this opportunity was not for me. So that was basically the end of that opportunity.
On a trip up to Hutchinson for a doctor's appointment with uncle John, I met with my contact from the church in Inman, KS. It seemed like a great opportunity to work with their staff. I ended up going up to Inman to do a formal interview with their search committee. Shortly after, they ended up calling me with an offer. I delayed my response and told them I would like to wait to see what happened with a full-time possibility in Enid, OK.
I was one of two possible candidates for the position in Enid. I coincidentally found out who the other possible candidate was and it was someone that I had gone to school with and that I knew very confidently that I would be the better choice; as I shared this fact with many of my friends who knew us both, they agreed with me. So I ended up going through the interview process and I ended up going away from that feeling very confident about it. A couple of days after they had interviewed the other possible candidate, I got notice that I would NOT be in further consideration for that position. This was obviously a big disappointment.
The following days, I had contacted Inman again to see if the offer was still there. I find out that their church was feeling that they needed to move forward in a lot of areas, one of them being their youth ministry. Also, the day before I had called them, their senior pastor submitted his resignation. So, the elder board decided that they would hire for a full-time youth pastor right away instead of hiring as a part-time youth pastor. Since, I was still the only candidate, I was very excited that this all happened. Well, a week later, their church council met and overturned that option and decided to hire as a part-time again. At this point, the contact from Inman called me and offered the same offer as they had given me about a month before.
So, this brings us to the present. I have accepted that position and I start my weekly meetings with the high school (as is my only duty at this point) on the 28th of September. Dwight Carter, the person I have been in contact with throughout this process, has been very helpful in helping me tie loose ends together. He has searched for other job possibilities for me in order to help supplement my income, and has been looking at housing possibilities as well. So, to sum it all up, I am the High School pastor at Zoar MB Church in Inman, KS, working part-time until their search for a senior pastor is complete; in which case I will transition into working full-time with both jr. high and high school. Here's a fun little note: Zoar MB is located on Froese St. (pronounced the wrong way...I mean "other" way).
So, I will probably be moving up this week and starting life on my own. Finances will be a "little" tight, but God will provide.
Other events this summer:
I have completed my physical therapy and have had my final appointment with Uncle John. He says that I am at the point where most patients are in 4 months, and I'm only three months out. God gave me great recovery...and a great physical therapist (Thanks Laura!; I'll write you a success story sometime).
My car has received a dent in my rear bumper thanks to a handy plumber backing into it while it was parked in front of Andy and Laura's house. I'm still in the process of getting that fixed.
Also, Carrie and I have decided to give a dating relationship another chance. We're both really excited and we hope that God will give us both guidance.
Ok, I think that's all for now. Love you all! I hope to see you all (-Josh and Sara--sad) at Christmas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)