It has been a great 12 years!

During the summer of 1990, on my 28th birthday, I pulled up to an apartment building in Towson driving a 14 foot U-Haul. It was the end of a 6 day journey across the country from California with all my worldly possessions. In one hour, 4 men had helped me unload everything I owned. I was soon to become a Maryland resident and the Associate Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church.

Twelve years later, as I approach my 40th birthday, I am about to make the reverse trip. However, I take back to California far more than I brought. Starting with God's most obvious gifts: My wonderful wife, Ingrid, and our precious daughter, Joy. In addition there is all the stuff that one accumulates over 12 years. But I also go back much richer: because of my friends at Central with whom I have shared life and ministry; because of the innumerable good memories; and because I return with greater maturity and ability to fulfill God's call on my life. We have all grown together in some truly amazing ways over these years, and I leave knowing that God has used me at Central to make an eternal difference both here and around the world. What a privilege!

Where are you going?

Ingrid and I have accepted the call to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo, California, where I will be the senior pastor. Camarillo is a city half way between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. It is a growing city of 63,000 residents that is expected to grow by another 10,000 in the next ten years. In addition, 5 miles away, the newest California State University is opening in Fall 2002. This September's enrollment of 1800 is expected to grow to 6000 by 2010, and ultimately reach 25,000 students. There are great opportunities for growth and outreach for a church ready to take up the challenge.

Trinity appears to be such a church. Although they have been in decline for over a decade, primarily because of some unfortunate pastoral issues, they are a congregation of strong faith in Jesus Christ trying to understand how to live that out most effectively in their community. Trinity has 450 members (Central is about 750) and is averaging a little less than 300 in worship (they have a traditional and a contemporary service).

Some may be wondering how far we are from Joy's grandparents. While we will be in the same state, Jerry's parents will still be 400 miles away. A day's drive rather than a day of flying.

What is your Timeline?

The very first thing is that we will fly out to Camarillo for Sunday, May 19 so that I can preach and be voted on by the congregation (what fun!). Assuming all goes well, we plan to start our new ministry the first part of August, so we can be in place as the church program year begins. Because we had already scheduled our vacation to begin the last week of June, and we now have to add moving to the list of summer activities, our last day at Central will be June 16, 2002 - Father's Day.

How Can We Pray For You?

As you can imagine, this decision has created a mix of emotions for Ingrid and me. We have a tremendous sense of excitement about the future, but also a sadness that we are leaving the church and the people that we have loved for the last 12 years (8 years for Ingrid). We are confident that this is the call of our Lord, but that does not diminish the very human and natural emotions of loss as we leave our family here at Central. With that in mind, please pray for the following:

• That God would bless our time with the new congregation on May 19, so that we would begin to build a good rapport and an atmosphere of excitement for the future.
• That God would give me wisdom as I seek to prioritize my last 5 weeks as Central's Associate Pastor so that I can prepare the ministries here for the greatest future success.
• For all the logistics involved over the next 3 months as we move our lives across country.
• That we would be able to say goodbye and grieve our separation in a healthy way, helping Central and us move forward with joy and confidence.

WE LOVE YOU!
Jerry (for Ingrid and Joy)

See also Why Now? The Timing of God's Call, Renaissance Man and Sending Them Out to Serve.