I was shocked because I had never pictured myself coming to Grace on Sundays without Dave also being there as our leader, aside from his much-needed breaks from time to time. From the day I first walked into Grace in June 2001, Dave’s messages had a way of getting right to the point of what I needed to hear at just the right time. That’s totally a God thing! And it didn’t hurt that Dave’s spiritual pathways are so much like my own.

I am confident Dave and Debbie did not make this decision lightly and that they have everyone at Grace’s best interests at heart. It’s going to be interesting to watch us all grow as we remember that the Leader we follow is not a specific pastor but Jesus Christ himself. I have felt truly blessed to have God use Dave (and Debbie too, in the classes I’ve taken from her and the small group discussions we had) to deliver so many important lessons directly to me. But I know and trust that God will provide someone not just like Dave, but an equally capable and effective vehicle, to continue teaching me … as long as I keep my mind open to the possibilities. And I also know and trust that God will use these changes at Grace to help us all discover the gifts and abilities that He tucked away inside each of us and guide us in using them to His glory. Amen!