Goodbye Michael!

Most of my friends and family have heard me say with great sadness that our friend and Bethel's Youth Director, Michael, is leaving our community to head south to Cedar Falls. He has been given the wonderful opportunity to help rebuild a high school youth program at, what sounds like, a wonderful congregation. We are VERY excited for him and his family on their new adventure, but I'm also filled with sadness.

Michael was the first person to truly challenge my beliefs on what worship is. I stepped outside of my comfort zone to look at how we worship and how we could do it differently. He has opened the door to many different ministries at Bethel for Tony and I. He's why we're a part of In Between, The Dream Team, Young Adult Ministry and why I'm on the Worship Task Force. I know it wasn't just him alone, God clearly was working through him to touch our lives in many ways.

We did get to worship with him one last time last Wednesday night with the Confirmation youth. The spirit was clearly among us as we sang and played our hearts out to God. There were several times that I had to step back from the microphone to hold back tears. I felt silly, but I got this feeling that the group would never be the same. Michael's passion, enthusiasm and energy was reflected in all of us while playing with him.

Michael, you WILL be missed! We pray only for the best on your new adventure!