I am Grateful!
Posted on Apr 18, 2018 by
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Psalm 23
One inevitable part of doing ministry as your vocation is that at some point you will have to give up your church family to accept a new position or opportunity. You spend years building relationships, community, and ministry, knowing you will eventually have to walk away. You leave hoping that you helped the ministry grow and evolve, yet don’t get to see the fruits of your labor. I have been given such a wonderful opportunity to walk with amazing students and to help prepare a table for them, to help them connect the life-changing creator they have with the incredible person they are. It’s honestly the best job in the world, because I get to journey with our young people as they are changing the world.
Roughly five and a half years ago, Salem hired me to shepherd the youth and family ministry program. It is hard to believe that in less than two weeks I will be headed north to begin a new chapter in my life. In this time of transition I am reminded of how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to journey with such wonderful pastors, colleagues, parents, students, and congregational members. You have been a blessing to me and my family and have given me the opportunity to both provide for my family and share my gifts with this community. I am grateful!
I know our paths will cross again, but until that day, I share peace with each and every one of you!
Peace- John Holt
Director of Student Ministries and Communications