Anyone who has known Leslee and me for any amount of time knows this:
- We’re nuts about each other.
- We’re nuts about our kids.
- We’re nuts about Jesus, and love making much of who he is.
- We’re nuts about Notre Dame football. (Well…keeping my fingers crossed for Leslee)
For those who know us well, our love for a gathering of believers called Westport Church has also been no secret. Since before moving to Portland in 2005 to launch the church, Westport has captured a big place in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
After a great season of ministry at an incredible church in the Midwest, our family returned to Portland last January with great hope and belief in what God would continue to do through Westport. We celebrate the lives that have been changed, new people encountering Jesus, and the impact taking place in the western region of Portland and beyond.
In recent months, however, Leslee and I experienced a wrestle in our hearts regarding our future at Westport. The wrestle resulted from many factors – and was a surprising one for us, leading to much prayer and seeking counsel. Through this we came to realize a difficult yet clear truth: we’re just not the right fit to continue to lead at Westport. We announced this to the church last month, and this Sunday will be our final weekend at Westport.
There is certainly heartache in leaving a church we love, yet as we launch out and seek what God has next for us, we do so with great hope and faith. Since announcing our transition last month, we’ve seen God’s favor and protection in special ways on our family – including selling our house in just four days! We’re currently in conversations with some dynamic churches, praying deeply that God will show us where He desires for us to bring hope and transformation. We also continue to lift Westport in prayer. We believe in the mission of this church and pray that it will be realized in great ways in the years ahead.
Our family is grateful for your prayers as we explore and anticipate what God has for us in the journey ahead.
Exodus 33:13 – Teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.
