CHANGE by lane greenleaf-perez

And surely I am with you always
to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

I’ve been thinking a lot about change lately. 

It’s mostly because my family and I have experienced a lot of it in these early years of our adult and married lives. My wife, Jayna, and I were married a year after we graduated college and moved from Southern California to Portland two weeks later. In the span of less than a month, we had changed homes, cities, churches, communities, and lifestyle. Almost everything we knew and loved was different.

Just recently we transitioned again from being a family of two to being a family of three. Our son, William, is now 6 months old. He’s so chubby and so amazing. 

I also went from working in two ministries in Portland to working in one ministry here at Beaverton Foursquare Church. Change can really spin a person out. Things that were once familiar and stable are suddenly gone or vastly different. There were a couple of things that made change in our lives more doable and bearable: the companionship of my loving spouse, and the promise that God was with me.

When I felt pulled by God to serve the church in full-time ministry it was exciting! I loved the
idea of being a part of teaching God’s revealed word and making much of Him when we gather. But as I got older and really sank into the reality of what it meant to be in ministry, I soon realized this calling was indeed a cross to bear. There are many facets to ministry that can be tumultuous and draining.

The changes that have happened as a result of my calling to ministry have, at times, been very demanding for my family and me. For the last three years I’ve been working two jobs, feeling like I was always scrounging for time to rest and be present—always feeling like I was clawing for stability and contentment.

Following Jesus is always harder when I depend more on my own strength than I do on God’s.

When Jesus left His disciples, he left them in a time of radical change. It must have been
overwhelming to see Jesus go and be left with the burden of beginning his church! But he
promised that they would not be doing it alone, that he would always be with them. The Holy Spirit came upon them and empowered them to be the church.

As we transition into a new city and a new church community here at Beaverton Foursquare, yes, there is a lot that is different. But so much of what God desires to do here is the same as it is anywhere. God desires that people would love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. It may seem like such a heavy burden and responsibility to care for ministry at a church, but I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve alongside the people here as we seek the kingdom of God together, because we do not do it alone or by our own strength. He is with us.

Wholly His,

Lane
lanegp@b4church.org