Yesterday two young men who I've done ministry with for a decade announced God's call for them to new ministry fields. Stay tuned for a post about one of my great Ministry Partners, Rodney Anderson, and his wife, Sarah. In this post, however, I'd love to talk for just a bit about my friend and ministry partners Chad & Autumn Ward.
Chad and I have been friends since we were kids and started this church together as the two first Pastors. He has led our Children's Ministry for 8 out of the 10 yrs of our church! Many may not know, however, that he also has worn ministry hats in Guest Services; Growth Groups; Creative Arts: and even Student Ministry! God has used he and Autumn in my life and ministry in ways many will never know!
However, we have both felt for a couple of YEARS now that God was doing some unique work in each of our hearts and that it was possible that the day may come one day when He called us to different places. That simply happened quickly within the last month, and I am thrilled to hear about all that God has done in DROPPING THIS OPPORTUNITY IN THEIR LAPS!
I will miss them more than anyone else in our church will, but I can not selfishly hold on to them and keep them from becoming all that God has called them to be! When Chad and I began working together, I had never been a Sr. Pastor, and HE had never worked for a church! To see what he and Autumn have become as ministry leaders is AMAZING and I am elated to send them out for greater impact! Chad and Autumn will be around for a while, through the end of April. They will be joining the ministry team of Watermark Church between Canton & Woodstock, in May.
The avg tenure for a Pastor in America is 24-30 mos. and it is a testament to Jesus, his mission, and our relationship that we have worked together for almost 11 years now. What we've enjoyed together has truly been unique.
Chad & Autumn, I love you; and Mountain Lake walks on your shoulders today. Thanks for 11 great years! Can't wait to hang out with you and celebrate soon!
NOTE: Regardless of what anyone might think, Chad and I are great friends, if not even better, now that we know we can JUST be friends again! We're excited about that! We might even watch more Alabama football together this Fall now that we don't work together!
BTW, we have also known this transition in Children's Ministry was coming for some time and have been diligently in the search for a Children's Pastor since the 1st part of the year, and plan on having a new Children's Pastor in place later this Spring!
In the meantime, Mountain Lakers, leave your words of encouraging comments to Chad & Autumn here, now!
Great post! It's hard for best friends to work together, so it speaks highly of both your characters that you made it through 11 years and you're both still happy with each other! Looking forward to what God has in store for Watermark & MLC!
Posted by: mandi@itscome2this | March 15, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Wow. Awesome post, Shawn. Chad & Autumn, you will truly be missed. Thanks for everything that you have done. We are sad that you are leaving, but we wish you all the best.
Love,
Kenneth & Melissa Johnson
Posted by: Melissa Johnson | March 15, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Your love, impact and heart for Jesus is being felt around the world.
Posted by: Will Henderson | March 15, 2010 at 04:58 PM
Chad and Autumn you will be sorely missed at MLC. Your encouriging notes and emails, your 35 minute voice mails and your passion and love for Christ and people will be what I always think of when I think of you. I am so excited to see what God is going to do with you guys and your ministry in the future. God bless you and thank you for investing in mine and Donna's life's.
Posted by: Bill | March 15, 2010 at 05:34 PM
I have enjoyed working with Chad in Kraze for about 2 years now. We will miss him like crazy, but know that God has something amazing for him!!
Posted by: Staci | March 15, 2010 at 05:58 PM
Shawn,
Thanks for sharing this with us. I miss them already. Honestly - since we're being completely transparent, it's very hard to imagine what it's going to be like without the Ward Family at Mountain Lake. I've actually lost sleep over it, so I can only imagine what it has been like for you, them, and the MLC team to have been processing it for this long! Regardless of what the stats are for pastors staying at churches, it doesn't take away the sting of knowing we won't see their shining faces, glowing hearts, and sparkling eyes every week. Chad and Autumn have made such a huge, direct impact on my marriage and family. I can only imagine what's in store for the people at Watermark. God will use them there in the same way to help countless other's, who will be blessed by them the same way we have been. It is because of your friendship, Shawn & Chad, that my marriage is together today. It is because of your friendship that our family is one solid unit, following God. Thanks, Chad & Autumn, for meeting with Shawn & Tricia so long ago and agreeing to join them in the MLC mission, and to all of you for following God's Will time and time again.
Love - Your Friend Forever
Posted by: Shelley | March 17, 2010 at 02:28 PM
I have friends who started Watermark recently...you will be missed, but they will have great Pastors there!
Posted by: Erin Bleisath | March 22, 2010 at 08:56 PM