In FIVE (5!!) Short Weeks

There are big changes on the horizon for the Vermeulens. Not just the baby coming--that is happening too, at the end of September most likely. There is another change to announce as well. 

For those who are local and already aware of this news, this post is intended to clarify the reality that we've perhaps not been clear or firm enough in saying over the past couple weeks. 

We are moving to Casnovia, Michigan. I will be stepping into a role as a pastor at Casnovia Reformed Church (henceforth CRC). Casnovia is a village of about 300, situated a mile from a town of about 2,000, about 15 miles north of Grand Rapids. Yep, we're becoming country folk! We anticipate this being a nice change from where we currently live in a busy suburb of Orlando. 

The church has been in existence for about 50 years, but has struggled for the past 4-5 years to maintain sustainability. For those familiar with ministry language, this is a revitalization project.  They say revitalization is just as hard, and sometimes harder, than planting a new church. But I've spent time via Skype and in person with the people of CRC. The core group of about 30 people has been together for a long time and are a family. They have realized that it's time to make some changes as a church in order to welcome new folks into their family so that this local expression of Christ's body can go on in years to come.  We've talked through quite a few issues, including a new vision and goals, and sense that the church has great potential to flourish once again. 

Our friends Nate and Andrea Deward, whom we served alongside of at LifeSpring Church in Fish Hawk FL, have been working on a temporary basis with CRC to broker a smooth transition. Initially I will revamp the music ministry of the church and preach 1/2 of the time, while Nate and Andrea remain on board preaching and assisting with leadership.  In January of next year, I will take over all responsibility, effectively serving as solo pastor. 

If all goes as planned, we will load the moving truck on July 18, and roll out of Florida the next day.  As I mentioned above, that's only 5 weeks away! The only contingency on this, and the reason that we've waited so long to express this to everyone, is that I have an interview next week in Grand Rapids with a committee from the denomination that the church is part of (RCA). This committee oversees my ordination process within the denomination, and the interview is the final piece that I need to pass in order to be approved to come under care and be granted a preaching license. Full ordination in the RCA will take a couple more years to complete.

I've been told by the committee leader that this interview is not just a formality, but is intended to assess my readiness to work in ministry and become a pastor. That's why there is no 100% guarantee. It's been a bit frustrating having to communicate it this way to everyone, particularly since there is only a month between the interview and the scheduled moving date. That's the way the timing has worked--the interview couldn't be scheduled earlier, and the move couldn't be pushed back, mainly because Anne is so pregnant!  So Anne and I decided this week to set our hearts and minds and communicate to others that we are going. It's time to get organized for a move and begin saying our goodbyes. 

Goodbye is painful. We are overwhelmed with the weight of saying goodbye to family and to dear friends we have here in Orlando--Anne's best friend and her husband, some men from a small group of guys I'm in, and the many people from Grace Orlando, past and present. While goodbye is tough and awkward, the best way to do it is to just let it be difficult. Feel the weight and sadness of it, because the sadness means that something very significant relationally has happened. We are incredibly grateful for the many people who have shared their hearts with us, loved us, supported us, and given us gifts of varying kinds big and small over the years. We know that 5 short and already busy weeks will not be enough time to say goodbye to everyone properly, but we hope to have whatever chances we can to say them.  

There are some friends and family in Michigan awaiting us, besides the new church family. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and my brother and his family--their kids will be a great playmates for Aidan and Brendan (and Baby #3!). In just a few weeks, everything will be new for everyone in our family. Please pray for special, large measures of peace and a spirit of adventure as walk through it all.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." --Joshua 1:9.