Heart to Heart
Last night, FAC once again hosted the Party @ The Patch (aka the Harvest Party), and we were grateful that so many community people chose to stop by. All told, we had at least 160 guests, who were served by a team of 37 people from the FAC family. Thanks to all who lived out our “SERVE” core value with excellence – you did a great job of serving others sacrificially, in Jesus’ name!!
As Diana and I looked back at the evening, we realized that it marked the end of 8 years of ministry at First Alliance for us. We officially started at FAC on Nov.1st , 2016, but chose to jump into the Party celebrations on Oct.31st. What an amazing journey it’s been over these past 8 years.
Of course, a lot has changed in that time. We are definitely a little older and grayer. Doing a complete makeover of the facility over an 8-year stretch will do that to you. Praise God for His generous provision which has allowed us to remain debt free. In the meantime, ministry challenges have been overcome, lives have been transformed, and we continue to make sweet memories, serving Jesus together with you.
Over the years we have seen many people come and go as the LORD led. Some of our closest friends now live in Arizona & North Carolina (both warm places to visit in the winter months)! Just this week, we said a fond farewell to Tom & Cindy Seroogy, as they moved to Missouri. But we also give thanks as God has faithfully added many new people to FAC. Our hearts are full, as we’ve built more new friendships while continuing to invest in the people we’ve known for many years.
We want to say how grateful we are as a couple, for the many expressions of love from our FAC family during Pastor Appreciation month. Thanks Tim, for representing the Board and FAC family so well, as you honored both the pastoral staff, and our intern - Aiden. All of us are grateful to be teamed together with all of you, taking the Gospel to our community and to the ends of the earth.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, Paul urges us to “rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus”. I am continuing to lean into that instruction and am learning how to make gratitude a priority every day, as I catch sight of God’s kindness and grace in action. May each of us commit to this discipline in a deeper way, as we anticipate Thanksgiving and then the celebration of Christ’s birth during the Advent season.
Joyfully serving with you - Adriaan & Diana ><>