Engaged!

I wrote recently about some change that has been taking place in my life in the last month … well let’s stick with that theme!  As of Friday, December 19, I officially become engaged to Kristi Cribier. 

Kristi is beautiful, fun, graceful, strong, smart, encouraging, loving, compassionate, creative (to name just a few) and most importantly she loves Jesus.  Kristi is my best friend and I am greatly looking forward to spending my life with her.  If you have ever met Kristi you know she is full of joy and I am blessed to have her filling my life with it for the rest of our lives.  I continue to be amazed at how God has blessed me over the years and Kristi is more of a blessing than I could have ever hoped for. 

The proposal took place Friday night at The Club in Birmingham, AL.  It was a great scene with dinner, a big band, and ballroom dancing, all with the view of Birmingham from the mountain.  The people at The Club, especially Lindsey, did a phenomenal job of helping the evening go off without a hitch.  Also, a special “thank you” to my friend Scott Dawson for hooking me up with the reservations.

We have not set a date yet but we are looking forward to all the planning and most importantly to building a life and marriage together with the aim of making much of Jesus. 

I’ve posted a few pictures at the top, one of Kristi’s hand with the ring on it, one of us out with friends the night after the proposal, and one of the view from The Club.

Change

As many of you know I have been praying for the right opportunity to serve on staff in the local church for awhile now.  I must say it has been a rather interesting journey but God has been very gracious to me during this journey and has blessed me with an opportunity that I am very excited about. 

A few weeks ago I officially went on staff at MeadowBrook Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama.  I serve as the Teaching Pastor for Student Ministries.  Gadsen is  city about one hour Northeast of Birmingham and about 80 miles from Chattanooga.  MeadowBrook is a church made up kind and warm people with a heart to reach families with the Gospel.  I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the people that make up MeadowBrook. 

I am in the planning stages now of laying out a strategy and basic structure for our student ministry.  We are also planning to launch a whole new look to our student worship format on Wednesday nights for both Middle and High School services. 

I am looking forward with great anticipation to what God is going to do in the coming days at MeadowBrook.  I am excited about the opportunity to impact families and students in the Gadsden area with the Gospel.

I will continue to preach at student and church events outside of my ministry at MeadowBrook as my schedule allows.  I look forward to partnering with some of  you in ministry again or for the first time in 2009.  Please contact me through phone or email if you would like to inquire about a possible speaking engagement.