A little bit of news

It's been a crazy week for me! My mind has been buzzing pretty much non stop as I have been grappling with what I can only describe as a calling of God. I've never really been through something like this before, and now I have new respect for people when they say God has called them to do something they never expected, rather than viewing it with my usual cynical eye! And so, I have made the decision to leave my Petersham Baptist family to start a new adventure in serving God with a new church plant in Newtown called Resolved. I am not leaving PBC because I am dissatisfied - far from it! I love PBC and the wonderful friends I have made there. I have benefited so much from the teaching and love I have received from them, the wisdom of brothers and sisters in Christ, and have had so many good times at PBC. But ever since I met the Resolved team, heard their vision, spoken with the people involved... I have felt a pulling on my heart like I've never felt before. It feels like home, like it's something I'm really being called to be a part of. It's been a tough decision to make as it's hard to leave such an awesome place that I have been committed to for the last 4 and a half years. I know that I won't have as much time and energy to invest into those relationships, and so there is some grief in leaving part of that behind. I guess it can only be described as painful, in the same way it's hard for a young 18 year old after they finish school and set off to move away from their home and family for the first time. But at the same time, I'm excited about being a part of something like Resolved too. There is a real openness and honesty to the people there, a genuine earnestness to be a part of each others lives and struggles, and a sincere love for Christ - a love that they want to share with those who are perhaps not so inclined to set foot in a traditional church building. I think that God has gifted me enough to be of real use in a church like this, and I'm excited (and a little scared and nervous!) about the opportunities that God has in store for me and the rest of the church there. This is me, growing up and maturing in my faith and moving on to something new. If anything, this is a missionary move, and I am going knowing that PBC will still always hold a special place in my heart for all the love and support and wisdom they have given me, and I know that I have their support in this move too. If you want to know what Resolved is on about, you can check out the facebook group here.