We Never Return To Normal

I’m back in Fort Wayne from an 11-day cross country trip and am trying to reflect on the travels, the people I spent time with, new people I met, the organizations I got a closer look at and the way my world view was stretched. As I reflect and slide into the normal routine, I’m struck with the reality that we never return to normal. Better yet, we never return unchanged by our experiences. 

For better or for worse.

My head hurts when I try to summarize my last couple of week. I won’t bore you with all those details, but it was a great trip. I missed my family deeply and am incredibly grateful for my wife who took care of our 21 month old toddler for that time by herself.

Here are some highlights. 

Atlanta, GA - There are some really things going on in Atlanta and it was good to build some new friendships due to some connections over the past year through CCDA. Katie, her husband Jeff, and their kids welcomed me into their home and were great hosts. Katie and I am both part of the CCDA Leadership Cohort. Katie and her husband both work for FCS Ministries there in South Atlanta. Katie has been there almost 10 years and keeps the whole thing held together with her exceptional operations skills. Jeff is currently breathing new life into their neighborhood thrift store and coffee shop by using his business knowledge to make both of those successful. 

I was also able to spend time with Nate Ledbetter, who works at Mars Hill in Grand Rapids for several years, made the move to Atlanta work be co-executive director of FCS and has just recently moved over to Desire Street Ministries as well as running operations of an FCS shared space workplace called, Metro Merge. I really connected with Nate last fall and became quick friends. He’s got a great strategic mind and it was good to get a nickel tour of South Atlanta with him as we talk shop. 

I had a great time with both families and was honored to be able to take some photos for both families. Here are the Ledbetter’s in front of one of the largest murals in Atlanta that’s part of their neighborhood. 

       

Jackson, MS - This was the home of our CCDA Cohort retreat where our time would focus on connecting to the story of John Perkins’ family, the Civil Rights movement, the birth of the CCDA movement, and all things reconciliation. These four days were full of deep emotional meaning for many of us in lots of ways. We were burdened by the realities of racism, violence, and the pain of sacrifices so many families had to make in order to fight the fight and stand for justice. 

I feel deeply connected to this group of Cohort members and our time together was full of shared burdens, celebration, and joy only close friends who understand the experiences of life/ministry we have. My friends are carrying big weights of the work they do and where they live to do that work. 

A major theme of our time together revolved around the idea of raising families in the midst of ministry and especially the ministry that is carried out in urban, inner-city environments. We are all learning from the generations before us in order to learn from their mistakes and protect or marriages/families from the toll ministry to take. Pray for everyone in ministry that is challenged in finding the right balance in their family. 

This is the scripture that I was struck with as part of the time with the Cohort. In John 16: 16-33, Jesus is trying to encourage his disciples and sharing that their discouragement and grief will turn into joy as they pour into him. 

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Denver, CO - From Jackson I headed to Denver to get some down time with my friends, Dave and Molly and their new son. I also wanted to connect with another college friend, Ryan, who’s doing some great stuff in Denver to help suburban church leaders connect to poverty, homelessness, and know how to lead their communities/churches well into the margins. It was also an honor to do family photos for the Ramseyers and for the Taylors. 

One of the highlights of being in Denver was getting to see all the stuff Mile High Ministries is involved in, which Ryan is a part of. They’ve converted an old motel into a transitional housing facility, they have a low-income legal clinic, and they’re an incubator for quite a few smaller organizations who need some organizational structure and support. I could go on and on about all my experiences here, but it was encouraging to see Denver for more than just mountains, vacation, and suburbs. 

Overall, it was a great trip with many experiences that won’t allow me to stay the same. I’m entering a season with big projects and uncharted territory. Having the vision of others who’ve gone before me and a support network to encourage me forward around the country is encouraging. 

I look forward to sharing the vision for some new projects soon that I’m going to want some feedback and support in. Stay tuned.