It Is Time

For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

It is time. Effective August 31, I will be stepping down as PCC's children's ministry director/children's pastor of PCC. I know this may come as a big surprise to so many but it is time. God has shown me that my time for serving in this capacity at PCC is up. Plain and simple. My family and I love our church. We love our church family. We are staying and will continue attending PCC and serving Christ through PCC. We will continue to GIVE to PCC to support it's mission. My husband Scott plans to continue in his role as a youth leader and teacher. We're not going anywhere.

Though I am passionate about children's ministry and I LOVE the children, it has become increasingly apparent over the last several months that my time serving in this capacity was coming to a close. This was not a decision that was arrived at lightly. We as a family prayed over this decision and all of us felt God's peace over it. There were many factors that lead to us prayerfully considering this option. Having a full time secular job on top of leading a growing ministry for the past six years has become increasingly more difficult. To be totally transparent, my family has sacrificed the most in this. The Holy Spirit has convicted me that it is now time for me to focus my attention on my family. He is calling me to support my husband in what He is about to do through him. He is calling me to make more time for my husband and children, to prepare them for the future He has called them to.

In addition, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is leading me in a different direction in ministry. He has impressed upon me that it is time to pull back, take a Sabbatical, clear my overwhelmingly busy schedule, clear my head, and seek His new direction for me. He has made it very clear to me that it is time for change. At one point in my life children's ministry was what He had called me to do. That calling was crystal clear. It was a calling I thought would last a lifetime. Now God is calling for me to give it up. This calling is just as crystal clear as the call into children's ministry. He has called me to stop, pull back, and listen. He has something else for me to do. He needs my full attention to prepare me. However, I will continue writing/blogging because believe this will be one of the forums he uses to prepare me for what He has planned next.

Serving as PCC's Children's Ministry Director/Pastor has been one of the biggest honors and blessings in my life. My family and I grew so much through serving in this ministry. This ministry blessed us in so many ways. We were not only blessed spiritually, but we were also blessed with dear friendships made through the ministry, blessed through the children, and even received financial blessings. I was blessed to serve with an incredible church staff and team of volunteers. I will miss the comraderie we shared as we were elbow deep working for the Lord in this way. I wish to thank everyone who supported, volunteered, prayed, and served in children's ministry during the six years I was 'in office.' I couldn't have been blessed to work alongside of any better people. Everyone had such a servant's heart and willingly gave of their time, money, and efforts to accomplish God's work of reaching the children for Jesus Christ. I will forever cherish the friends I have made in this ministry and the people who helped make it happen. It was not my efforts but the efforts of God Himself along with each and every single one of you who made this ministry thrive. I love you all dearly.

I will cherish the children and always be thankful for those who gave their lives to Christ as a result of this ministry. To me, there is no higher calling than to lead these young ones to Jesus Christ! God worked through this ministry to change lives. It was such a blessing to be a part of it.

But now it is time for me to step down so that someone else may step in and receive these blessings and be a blessing in return. I am thankful what God accomplished in children's ministry during my years of service. I now look forward to the great things God will accomplish in the future through PCC's Children's Ministry. He has brought the right new leadership and the right mix of volunteers to keep this ministry strong and vibrant. PCC Children's Ministry will continue in the tradition of excellence in reaching children for Christ. Changed lives and hearts will always be the goal of this ministry. Please continue support the new children's ministry leadership, volunteers, and the children whose lives are impacted for Christ through PCC Kids Ministry. My heart and passion is still for these precious little ones! Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated and necessary as we transistion to even greater things.

I've heard it said that as one door closes, God opens another. I'm excited to see what that next door holds for both PCC's children and for our family! I am forever in your service as your sister in Jesus Christ. Blessings friends!

In His Love, Cathy In His Love, Cathy