This
morning we find ourselves being led by the Lord down an unexpected path. The
important point is that we are being led by the Lord.
When I
was hired at Redeemer Evangelical Church four months ago the pastor sat down
with Laura and me and said, “Just say ‘Yes’.” We felt that doing youth, small
groups and discipleship would help Redeemer and that the Lord was asking us to
say “yes” to be an encouragement to the pastor and his wife.
Apparently
we accomplished what the Lord had planned for us. There are many people there
reading their Bibles and telling us that for the first time they are enjoying
it, so much so, that they can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning. One
woman added, “and now my husband is reading the Bible.” They liked the Reading
Notes for The One Year Bible too. I put together the makings of a
picture directory; I presented a plan for small groups and a strategy to create
a simple disciple making culture in the church. I’ve also met with the 3-5
youth who attend sporadically (average age in the church is 68) and they were
enjoying the lessons. When I taught adult Sunday School, I did some of the same
lessons with seniors and they really loved them.
So
yesterday I was told by two of the elders and
the pastor that because of budgetary concerns they couldn’t afford
to keep me on staff and that they really needed just a youth pastor. I admit at
age 58, I’m probably not the guy who should be “running with the bulls.”
Laura and I feel that we did well in serving the Lord in encouraging the pastor and in providing
the church with some good ideas and impulses to bring its ministry forward. It
is simply that the Lord knew our job was done yesterday. Oddly enough the
reading in The One Year Bible is in Job, 2 Cor. and Psalm 42. The Lord
could not have planned this better. Even in reading the Reading Notes (that I
wrote 2 years ago) I was convicted and comforted by what I read. It is His plan
and His wisdom. Our duty in following is to trust His love.
So we
would ask you to pray for us. Obviously we need a job and some answers to our
financial and housing situation, but we really want a place to serve the Lord
where we can follow the Lord in the harvest, reaching out to lost people and
making disciples who make disciples.
If you
know of any churches looking for a pastor, please let us know.
Dan and Laura Kachikis
Dan and Laura Kachikis
4796
Mockingbird Ln.
Memphis, TN 38117
Dan’s cell: 901-870-0989
Laura’s cell: 901-870-8528
Memphis, TN 38117
Dan’s cell: 901-870-0989
Laura’s cell: 901-870-8528
