The Final Days In Utah

The last week of living in Utah has come. A week full of mixed emotions. On Monday, March 28th, five Churches came to collect all of the items God has provided for them through Springville Baptist Church. I was excited that God was able to use the items He provided for us in other Churches in Utah! Only one pastor was a little ‘testy’. That didn’t ruin the day, but it did kind of put a ‘bummer’ side note on the day. I will write about the pastors in Utah later hopefully. After removing all of the items in the Church building, I cleaned up and took pictures ( I will upload some soon). It was a hard time to see the building that God had used to spread His Word – now empty. But God is always FAITHFUL! Many people have asked us to get together with them before we leave. That has been a blessing! Had lunch with Ken Condie and Mike Parry at Cracker Barrel – met them with Scouts, Cyndi’s work and YouthNet (An organization to combat drug use in Springville). It is neat how God brought us together through many different ways and lunch was a good end to our time here with them. Jane and Steve Royster took us to dinner to Ruby River, a steak place here in Provo. He is the Scout Executive over the Scout Counsel – Utah National Parks Counsel – and our neighbors. Richard and Judy Turnbow invited us over for lunch on Thursday – they are our neighbors and will watch over our condo while we are gone. Ethan Welborn (one of our members) and his girl friend Lauren and us got together for ice cream at Hogi Yogi. Pastor Neal Pafford and his wife Jennifer invited us over for dinner also on Thursday. Thursday was a busy day! On Friday we spent the day packing and finish work on the condo. We also had dinner with Rod and Melinda Turner. Rod and I went to the same High School (Thomas Jefferson in Dallas) – though he was a little ahead of me! Funny that we ended up meeting here in Utah. SATURDAY – Load the truck day! A lot of people showed up to help – 22 plus people helped load the truck ( … all helped!). Tim & Lizzie took us out for lunch and then over to their house to hang out a little before we had to go to the airport. On Sunday we went to Faith Baptist Church in Layton for Church in the AM. We showed Tim Lesslie around Salt Lake. Bro Tim came up from Kansas to help us drive the truck back – what a blessing! Monday – move day … goodbye Utah! We will always love you!

Leaving Utah

After hearing about how the vote went in Haven, KS (95% yes!) I resigned from Springville Baptist Church on March 6, 2011. That was a hard day for my wife and I. I knew that many of the people would have a hard time about us leaving. We had been their Pastor, friend and family to some. I had hoped they would pray about it and know that God was leading us. If God was leading us then He would also lead them if they would seek Him. We had some that seemed a little upset at us and some it seemed were indifferent – an odd feeling. To make things worse – it was the day before my Birthday (March 7th) and no one told me Happy Birthday. Usually some gave us cards or gift cards for dinner somewhere – but not this year. It was a little disappointing. Not that I think I deserve anything, but just comparing it to what they usually do – it was different. But we had some that backed us and understood what we had to do and why. One couple was a young couple who just recently had began to visit. They had not joined and I was concerned on how they would take it. They were so supportive and it seemed to us that God had sent them to us to be an encouragement! “For Such A Time As This” was the phrase that came into my head over and over again. Praise God for HIS faithfulness! The next week would be very difficult for us. We had to make a decision about what would happen to Springville Baptist Church. After much prayer, counsel, seeing circumstances and seeking God through His Word and His leading – we decided to close the doors to Springville Baptist Church. After almost 9 years it was time to close. From a human standpoint it was a hard thing to say and do – but when looking at ALL that God did, He was so clear in His direction. Some have told me it is never God’s will to close the doors to a Church – they have not lived in my shoes and seen what I have seen the past few months. And we do see God telling His men to leave a city because of their unbelief. We tried to get men to come and keep the doors open, the landlord raised the rent $450 a month, the people of the Church did not respond … etc. I could go on and maybe later I will. But it is now clear to me and my sending Church pastor that this is what we are to do. I told the Church on Sunday March 13th the plans for closing. Most were already planning on leaving and had already discussed where they would go. It did not seem like a shock to them. I understand them being sad and maybe hurt. But most that are hurt are the ones that have not been coming to every service for the past two months and heard all that I have said and how I have been open and honest with everyone. AS I am writing this I am getting ready for the last Sunday of Springville Baptist Church. I know I will cry – I know I will hurt – I know my wife will also hurt … BUT GOD … He will sustain us and strengthen us! In later post I will talk about the friends we have made here in Utah. I think that will be fun one to write.