One of my favourite quotes is this: "There's no straight lines when we follow Jesus." Just check the maps at the back of your Bible if you still have a paper version and you'll see what I mean. We like to think we're called to the straight and narrow, but that's not what Jesus said (check Matthew 7:13-14). The journeys of Jesus and Paul's missionary trips seem to zig and zag all over the place. When you examine your own life, you'll probably see what I mean.
Following Jesus means we go where he goes, and sometimes that's to the strangest of places. Twenty-three years ago, Anna and I were newlyweds with a passion to serve God in Europe. For me, that meant leaving Vancouver, my church, and my friends and family. For Anna, it meant returning to her homeland and a church still emerging from communism's shadow. We've lived in different countries and cities, involved in various ministries—pastoral training, church planting, global worker support, anti-trafficking, international church pastoring, and more. Wherever Jesus zigged and zagged, we did our best to follow, sometimes zagging when he zigged, but eventually getting where he wanted us to be.
Over two decades later, we're no longer newlyweds but a family of five. We've spent most of our 25 years of marriage in Europe. I've spent half my life there, and all our kids were born there. Our home is there, our work is there, and we feel deeply connected. We're European in heart, mind, and body.
But recently the strangest thing happened—Jesus has zigged again, and we've decided to follow him to Langley.
Though we're sad to leave Europe, we're excited to join the CLA team and church family. I'm in awe of how God's sovereignty works. A year ago, I could never have imagined we'd be packing up 23 years of European life to join such an incredible team and dynamic church. There's more to the story, but that's for another time.
Soon you'll meet me and most of the family. Anna and our daughters Livia and Stella will arrive at the end of October. Our eldest, Mia, is staying in the Netherlands to study. While we'll be in shock and awe for a few months, you'll soon discover we're a friendly, curious, and colourful family. We like asking questions, we love to serve, and we're always up for meeting new people. We look forward to connecting with you and being woven into CLA's fabric with our distinctive gifts, skills, and personalities.
So my first "Word from the Pastor" is this: learn the beauty of zigging and zagging as you follow Jesus. It may cost you, but it's a beautiful journey. Who knows where you might end up and who you might love and serve in the journey?
