CLA, let me remind you first of all that this Sunday is what you have been anticipating all year long. That's right, the Recovery Church Pulled Pork Fundraiser is taking place on the patio outside the Cafe, and it is a donation event. Please join the Recovery Church team as they serve up some delicious pulled pork cuisine after the morning service. Last year, CLA, you were so gracious, and we raised $7K for our Christmas outreach program. Thank you.
Today is also a day that I personally have not been looking forward to. Leading up to this morning and through this past week, I have been feeling the emotion of reflection and the reality that after eleven years at CLA as one of your pastors, this season comes to a close. What do I say that could adequately convey my most profound appreciation and love for you CLA? You have been nothing but gracious to Shelley and me since we arrived in 2014. Welcomed and prayerfully supported is what we felt from our very first Sunday. You have been consistent in the pursuit of joining God in seeing transformation take place through every ministry of CLA. I am amazed by you and your passion and pursuit of the Kingdom.
When we arrived, I heard God speak a word to me. It was that in all the ministry and activity - hospital visitations, weddings teaching classes, preaching Sunday mornings, funerals, the joys and walking with you in grief, yes, even the uneasy pastoral confrontations and conversations that happen time to time, to view each part of my CLA experience and time as a gift. At times I can be a bit cynical and critique can come easy, yet the word was clear - drop the cynical, critical heart and embrace the gift that CLA can be. CLA, you have been kind, gracious, encouraging, embracing of ministry ideas, loving, prayer-filled, and I thank you. I do love you. What a gift.
I want to thank you, CLA, for being a church that responds and acts upon prayers. You give to missions and outreach with a fervour. The volunteers in Recovery Church and I have felt this week after week through your support. The CLA church constitution states that CLA will be a church that cares for the poor. Rare is the church that places those words at the core of its existence. I want to thank the staff, pastors, and team that I have worked beside; you are a gift to me. Focused and intentional in wanting a good, healthy church. Working to love people well and desiring the Kingdom to be built through prayer and action. What a gift.
I have been blessed to pastor (and will volunteer going forward) in Recovery Church, and what a Team! Too long a list of names to post in this space but each Sunday night, this team has been healers, advocates, helpers and activists in caring for the spiritual growth of people in the fight of their lives to move through and out of addiction into community. Thank you to Sam Stanley and Garrett Cahoon. What a gift.
Thank you, Pastor Derrick, for being a leader that I have loved serving beside for 11 years. The Kingdom drives you; you have tenacity and eyes on Jesus, passionate about moving CLA to see greater influence and transformation. People don’t see your work ethic during the week - productive and efficient, yet always making time and room to pastor God’s people. Large church, budgets, decisions, meetings, and yet always having an open door for pastoral care. I have learned much from watching you and being mentored by you. You have been a gift.
My heart is very full and deeply grateful. Thank you, CLA.
Much love and respect.
