Thankful for New Opportunities (Update from Stephanie)

God continues to surprise me with opportunities He presents and work He lets me be a part of.  A little over a year ago when I began working for City Union Mission I was sure that was a door He opened for me.  Over the last year while working there I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, have been  challenged and stretched to work on areas in my own life and have learned more about homelessness and resources in Kansas City.  

Now I feel I am in another place of opportunity and am just as sure that God is opening this door as well.  About a month ago, the leaders at Restore approached me and asked if I would be interested in a position working with them in their student ministry. They have had an opening for a Student Community Director and have been praying about who the person would be to fill that position.  They also were thinking about what they could do to help develop me during the time Darryl is working with them doing his residency over the next 2 years and this seemed to be a possible solution.  In this position I will be working with the leaders who lead the students.  I will learn how to recruit, develop and coach people in leadership and work on growing in leadership myself.  I will have an amazing woman who will coach me and help develop me during this time as well.

I was very excited about this opportunity for many reasons:

1.  I love students and have always desired to have a job working with young people.  

2.  This position seemed to very specifically focus on areas in my life that I know I still need to grow in.  After Darryl and I attended the church planter’s assessment in February, they gave us each individual development plans for the next 2 years. Most of the things that were suggested for me are areas that I can work on in this position. 

3.  It scares me and excites me at the same time.  I was so excited but also scared as I know it will challenge me and take me out of my comfort zone.

 4.  I think it will help to prepare me for our church plant and is best for our long term goals.  While serving in this position I will also get to learn more about church planting and grow and develop in areas which I believe will prepare me for the church we plant in the future.

So, of course I said yes and accepted the position!  However, it was a sad transition saying goodbye at the mission.  I am continuing to work there one day a week until my replacement starts.  I am thankful for my time there, for those I met, and for all I learned.

I began last week with Restore and I love it.  There are so many amazing leaders serving the students and I have enjoyed meeting many of them already. I am looking forward to learning with them and working with them to help students find their way back to God and to mobilize Christ followers to the mission of Jesus.

I am thankful for the ways God continues to bring opportunities and people into our life.  It continues to be an exciting journey that we are on!  We are thankful for your prayers and support as you partner with us on this journey. To learn more about what we are doing, email: darrylanswer@msn.com