A Letter From Gary

BrentB — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:16:51 +0000

To the students and parents of C4 Church,

If you haven’t yet, you are likely to receive an email (see here for a copy: http://eepurl.com/lvEwH) stating some changes in staff roles at C4, including my own role. While times like this can be new and exciting, they can also be a filled with mixed emotions. I’ve certainly been feeling those mixed emotions lately and want to share my heart with you.

This has by no means been an easy decision for me to make.

Working with students at C4 has been my ministry life. It’s been what I always planned on doing. The students here are incredible and to think about stepping aside to do something else is heartbreaking to me.

But when God presents us with a new direction for our lives and we’re committed to following him, we need to take that turn and follow. And we do so trusting that he will continue to take care of his church as he always has.

If you are a student, please know that it’s been my privilege to walk with you all for so many years. You have added to my joy and I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to “connect & challenge” you to a life with Jesus. I hope by now you realize it was never me you were following, but Jesus…who will never leave nor forsake you. May you continue to live your life for HIM!

If you’re a parent, thank you for entrusting your children to me and our amazing team of youth workers (if only for a few hours a week). We have never taken that responsibility lightly and continue to pray for you as you raise your children to know and follow Jesus.

While these transitions don’t place for a few more months, even after that I’m still not physically going anywhere and would be more than happy to chat with you personally. I also look forward to ministering with you all in a different role post July 1.

In the mean time, below is an excerpt from a letter that was sent to our youth volunteers that helps explain things a little further.

Thanks for reading,

Gary

**********************

To my friends in ministry,

A few weeks ago, our Executive Pastor Dave Adams sat me down to speak to me about my gifting, passions, and how they fit within our C4 staff team. He and Pastor Jon had been reflecting on this and agreed that my gift set seemed to be an excellent fit for the role of Congregational Care Pastor at C4. They asked me to think about taking this new role and transitioning out of student ministries.

Needless to say, I was shocked. My whole ministry life has been in student ministries and my plan was to be a “lifer” as a youth pastor and be here for the next 25 years. How could they ask me to leave that and do something else? No way, that’s crazy! I’m where God wants me, right?

It was that last question that made me pause.

Am I where God wants me? Am I better suited for student ministry than someone else? Could my gifts and passions be used differently? Are they meant for this new role?

Over the next few days of prayer and conversations I remembered that God has called me to serve him in full-time ministry wherever that may be, and I simply have never heard him say anything different than ministering to students. However something was changing in me that I never fully realized was there. Perhaps this IS what God wants for me now.

As I continued to wrestle and pray with this thought, the main thing that held me back was my devotion to the students and their respective ministries at C4. I had thoughts like, “I can’t leave them. What’s going to happen if I’m gone? Things will fall apart without me there!”

While I’d be flattered if you actually shared any of those concerns, they’re simply not valid.

It was a good friend who reminded me, “This has been, and will always be GOD’S ministry, Gary…not yours.” Very true. Very reassuring. It may have taken on my “flavour” while I’ve been leading it, but it won’t cease to function or even thrive without me being there.

So even though this is completely out of left field for me, and even though it’s going to be tough to let things go, I really believe this is the right move. I’ve always taken the approach of, “Go unless God says stop” and there have been no stop signs at all. I think this is simply a new direction that God wants me to go

So with the support of my family, and complete faith in God to work in and through me at C4, I have decided to make this transition which will take effect July 1, 2012.

There are obviously many other questions that arise with respect to preteen and high school ministries and many of those will be answered in the days to come. I’m not the only one with some changes and I’m excited to see the transitions that God has in store for us as a church community.

But with that excitement comes sadness, and a whole roller coaster of emotions for me personally. While I’m not physically going anywhere, I’m still leaving a role that I care about so much and I’m truly mourning that loss. This will be a interesting transition and I certainly appreciate your prayers for me and our family.

I love you all so deeply and have appreciated serving alongside you, some of you for years and years. Thank you for contributing to such a wonderful experience. I hope and pray that you continue to serve faithfully in whatever capacity that may be. I know our student ministries at C4 sure need some awesome volunteers such as yourselves!

I’ve always said to any volunteer as they transition out of student ministries, “So long as we all follow God’s promptings and do what HE wants us to do, we’ll be fine. God will always provide what we need, so go and don’t worry about a thing.”

And now I’m saying that to myself.

Talk to you all again soon,

Gary

Hide-And-Go-Seek Event

BrentB — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:14:11 +0000

The Most Awesome Game of Hide-And-Go-Seek – On May 26th at 1pm, we will be having The Most Awesome Game of Hide-And-Go-Seek of All Time! This scavenger hunt type game will have teams looking all over Ajax for mysterious people. This event is sure to be a blast and we hope you invite your friends!

REMIX: Toronto

BrentB — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:13:17 +0000

REMIX Toronto: Inner City Mission Trip – A week-long interactive and hands-on urban mission experience designed to equip, train and inspire young people to ‘center their lives within the mission and message of Jesus’. This event is happening from June 26^th to July 1^st. For more information please click here. If interested in participating, please contact Gary Powell.

NEEDED 30HF FORMS

BrentB — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:11:12 +0000

We are meeting at Trull’s Road Free Methodist Church (2301 Trulls, ON, L1E 2Z2) @ 6pm tomorrow night (Friday). For directions click here. You MUST come with these 2 forms filled out. Click here for form 1. Click here for form 2. Also remember to bring your money and overnight gear (sleep bag etc.). YOU SHOULD START YOUR FAMINE AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!

We are very sorry about the late notice,

Brent Baggett

Student Ministries Communications Intern

Brett Ullman Night

BrentB — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:56:02 +0000

Brett Ullman is coming to do his famous Media, Faith, Culture talk at C4 on Friday, May 11th. This event is open to all parents and students as it is sure to be an eye opening learning experience. Invite your friends and family! For more information on Brett Ullman please click here.

His Girls Event

BrentB — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:25:06 +0000

Happening Saturday, May 12th from 9am to 4:30pm @ Westney Heights Baptist Church; This Mother/Daughter event features music, general sessions, break out groups, and food. Special guests include Vicki Courtney and Brett Ullman. You MUST register for this event; click here to do so. For more information please click here.

Ignite Cancelled

BrentB — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:58:46 +0000

Due to Easter Sunday, Ignite will be cancelled April 8th.

Famine Tutorial

BrentB — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:56:58 +0000

Nine O Five

BrentB — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:05:05 +0000

Nine O Five – Happening on Sunday, March 18^th at 6pm, this awesome night of worship featuring Parachute Band and Aaron Gillespie will be replacing our usual scheduled Ignite.

No Ignite March 11

BrentB — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:29:39 +0000

No Ignite – There will be no Ignite on March 11^th due to the Snowflake retreat.

C4 Ignite