It’s nice to be able to talk publicly about this after several months. My wife, Amy, has been called to serve as the new senior minister of First Christian Church in Portland, Oregon. I’ll be on staff part-time as well, heading up growth and development. My title is still a work in progress, but basically, I’ll be helping grow the reach and presence of the congregation in the community.

We’re thrilled, humbled and a little sad all at the same time. For eight years, we’ve built up Milagro Christian Church in Pueblo, Colorado from a handful of idealists gathered in our living room to what it is today. We would not be able to move on to this new adventure if we weren’t confident that Milagro is ready to become something wonderfully new without us, but it’s hard to let go of something we love so much.

We brought the kids up this weekend for a visit, took them too famous Portland haunts like Voodoo Doughnuts, Powell’s Books and the riverside trails. WE got a few sprinkles, but surprisingly no rain for a winter weekend.

The leadership and congregational votes were unanimous in all cases which, though unexpected, provides some welcome momentum stepping into a significant challenge, leading such a significant flagship church. We’re still wrapping our minds around it, but the prospects are thrilling.

Thanks much to those who have offered their prayers, encouragement, support and recommendations. And a special thanks to the good family we love at Milagro. We can’t wait to watch what unfolds next for this community. We have faith that what we have helped start will only be a preface to a much richer, longer story to come.