Well hello there!
Since my last post was all the way back in November, I wanted to take a little time to throw up an update post. This will also (hopefully) serve as an update on my journey into the Leadership Development Program (LDP) I entered at my home church, Gateway Community, back in September.
The long story medium of it is this.
In early September 2018, I joined 6 other fellow Christ followers who were called into this “seminary lite” program. Along with Luke, Deb, Tara, Ben, Ross and Ashley, I was quickly thrust into the prep for Gateway’s 20-year celebration. Since I chose to jump into the tech arts ministry, I was tasked with being the stage manager for the event. It was a daunting task to say the least, but with the help of two very capable and awesome assistant stage managers, and with God doing what He does best (and so often) the huge event was able to go off with no major issues.
During the weeks leading up to this event, and in the weeks and months since, we have been repeatedly pushed far out of our comfort zone as a LDP team, with group projects, teaching teams and other stretching assignments for our Old Testament/New Testament Studies, Deep dives into our Systematic Theology class, and a plethora of other tasks and assignments.
Around the time of my last post, the LDPs were given the assignment to present a TED-like talk on Gateway’s mantra of “No Perfect People Allowed”, from the lens of their department. If you’d sat in on our rehearsals, you would have probably thought some of them would be a complete disaster (spoiler alert: I’m referring to mine). But then the Wednesday before Thanksgiving came, and God stepped in. We started with Ashley, who was most nervous about it. She was a natural and killed it! From there, it only got better with each presenter. I even received a “Rusty….you’re funny!” from the program leader, Robb. The compliment that really hit me was the comparison to comedian, Steven Wright. Not every day your humor gets compared to one of your favorite comics, and one of the 50 greatest of all time. This from reading off my script, word for word, with little enunciation and humor just two days before. All it took was a prayer. Prayer that said, “God, I’m about to suck this up. I’ve made too many changes too late in the game, and I’m so nervous about the memorization piece. I can’t do this without you centering me and giving me the confidence I lack.” Almost immediately, I felt this rush of peace and strength rush over me.
Being on the tech arts team, I had the opportunity to be part of the Christmas stage builds at our North and South campuses, spending 16 to 18 hours a day between North stage build and other tasks. I can honestly say it’s the first time I’ve enjoyed 16 to 18 hour days. Christmas for each campus involved some amazing local Austin musicians, alongside our awesome bands.
For the fall, I was stationed at our Central campus as a producer and general stage hand. Leaving Central at the beginning of the year was certainly bittersweet, as I had been splitting my time between Central and North as an attendee for nearly two years. I was also sad to say “see you later” to our awesome stage crew (shout out to Mike Weller, who keeps that crew going), band and my favorite pastor and singer, Kenny and Jeni Green. I know I shouldn’t have a favorite, but dude….the Greens just hit me on a level no other pastor/singer ever has.
Anyway, that brings me to 2019, and my stint at South campus. I’d never attended a service at South until the start of this program, but I have quickly come to realize what I’ve been missing. North is my home campus, but I’m telling ya…You really can’t go wrong, no matter what campus you choose to visit.
I’ve been privileged to work with the Ojeda family (shout out to Hannah, Aaron, Caleb and Bob) at Central and South, and not only hear some wonderful voices and musicians, but also get to know a family that strives to live after God’s own heart. Then there’s our rotating drummers, Kaye and Rom. Kaye and her husband, Mike are two of the kindest, most beautiful souls I’ve ever seen paired together. It took them all of maybe 5 minutes to make me feel like I’d always been family. I’d tell you I have a favorite drummer, but honestly, it’s too hard to choose between Kaye and Rom. They are both amazing. That brings me to Rom, From the moment I met him at 20-year, I’ve seen nothing but grace (graciousness) and love from the coolest metal drummer I’ve ever known. I could go on and on about the South campus family, but I’m still getting to know some of them better. What I do know is if I ever moved back to South Austin, I would already have a home at the campus off of Westgate.
I’ve also co-led and table led at Alpha at South for the fall and Spring semester, and am enjoying seeing what God is doing at all our campuses through this program.
Some sadness has hit for me as well early on in 2019. I very nearly lost a friendship I value greatly and am having to come to terms with it possibly never being the friendship it was. The fault is mine, and I am praying for full reconciliation and restoration in the friendship. I also found out I lost my second job. I had been working on a reduced basis at my previous full-time employer, but I was let go as part of cuts due to the transition of our client to their new vendor being ahead of schedule. I won’t focus on either of these for too long. But I do want to say this. God is working in both situations. Every time I feel down or depressed, I remind myself to stop looking at the mountain in front of me. I remind myself to look back at the mountains behind me that God has brought me through, around or over. That helps the mountain in front of me seem more like a hill. After all, He not only brought me out of nearly dying around this time last year, but what He brought through that seemingly horrible experience was a new level of purpose I had previously not been able to find.
Well, wouldn’t you know it. My “long story medium” is just a long story. If you know me at all, this will come as no shock.
Thanks for continuing to read this far. Stay tuned, because my hope is to make this more of a regular thing. In the meantime, if you’ve read this far, I’d like to put this out there for you to think on. I, like my LDP cohorts am raising funds for this program. I am close to my goal, but still need some help. If you feel led, please click on the link below and donate as you are led. To donate for my funding in the program you need to select number 010 from the drop down menu at the site below.
We are also preparing for a mission trip to Athens in late April-early May. If you feel led to donate to that please follow the link below. If you feel led to pray, please do so. Prayer is our most powerful tool to further the kingdom and to fend of the attacks of the enemy.
http://www.gatewaychurch.com/goteams
With that, I do believe you are caught up with my journey thus far. Even with this long post, I know I left some things out. Please, feel free to contact me via text, call, email, carrier pigeon, Morse Code, telegraph, Pony Express or whatever means you wish to use. I would love to make time to sit down for coffee, dinner, a beer, a hike (can’t really sit for that though), or whatever, and answer any questions you have about the program.
The Random Musings of a Nerdy Christ Follower 