A Mix of Grief, Gratitude, and Grace

November 24, 2024
 
To my beloved CBC family,
 
One evening in November of 2018, I was driving a John Deere tractor and chasing a combine through a corn field when I received a life changing phone call. That phone call was from Chadron "Berean" Church, asking if I would fill pulpit that weekend. Filling pulpit would shortly lead to my family moving to Chadron on January 2, 2019. It would also lead me to say yes to God’s unmistakable call to pastor this church.
 
While God had long prepared my heart for this role, I still had many questions and doubts stepping into it. God, are you sure? What am I going to say every week? Will I have anything to offer God’s people? How will this affect my family? But over the last six years, God has proven Himself faithful. Despite my doubts and blatant weaknesses, I’m beside myself to say that God, as the Great Shepherd of our souls, has done more than I could have asked or imagined. God has grown this church steadily in more ways than one. He has done great things. I believe God is drawing people to this church because there exists here a sincere desire to walk with Jesus. A sincere desire to be more like Jesus. I love this church family! My family loves this church family!
 
That is why it is extremely difficult for me to share that God has been prompting another season of change for my family and me. And it is with that bittersweet mixture grief and gratitude that I have resigned as pastor of Chadron Bible Church to answer God’s call to be a student and associate pastor at our home church in Alliance.
 
Over the years, I’ve spoken about my heart for youth ministry. I’ve also explored ways to honor that and have done so at times, while trying to be respectful of my lead pastor responsibilities. At one point, I even lightly threatened to apply for the youth pastor job we had open for a season. Needless to say, this desire to invest in the next generation and focus more on discipleship has only grown stronger.
 
I do want you to know this isn’t due to conflict in leadership, and it wasn’t a quick decision. Long story short, this is something that I have been praying, fasting, and reflecting on for months. I have been in a long discernment process.
 
As I’ve said from day one, it would be fine with me if this was my first and last pastorate. I would have no problem with my children spreading my ashes on C-hill! However, we don’t write our own stories and if we are followers of Jesus, we must answer when He calls and stay sensitive to that. Leaders, too, must follow.
 
Last Sunday, a 90-year-old man walked through our church doors during the Sunday school hour. I met him at the door, and he informed me that he held a spade the day they broke ground on the old, west building in 1957. He looked so young that I didn’t believe him. He then proceeded to show me his driver’s license. Sure enough, he was born in 1934! This encounter reminded me that this church will be 70 years old next year and for 64 years it didn’t me. God doesn’t need me. God doesn’t need us. But it is a privilege when He decides to use us, and what a privilege it was to help lead this church for the past six years.
 
We will deeply miss our home here (surrounded by turkeys; iykyk), the rugged geography, and the wonderful community of Chadron. More than anything, we will miss you, our church family. You will always be family to us, and we are forever grateful for the love, grace, and support you’ve shown us. Our time in Chadron has had its difficulties, but mostly it has been beautiful, fun, and rewarding. We will always reflect on it with gratitude, especially the relationships knitted together for eternity. Because of the loving culture and sincere love of Jesus that exists at CBC, I am confident that the church will continue to be a place God draws people to find help and hope in Jesus.
 
The leadership team will be in discussion about details, but Lord willing, we will stay through the holiday season and I will start the new role as the new year rolls around. Following the holidays, the leadership team will identify individuals to take over preaching duties. I praise God that we have men in our congregation who have so much to offer God’s people in this regard. I am confident the leadership will continue to lead this church in a healthy direction and in a way that pleases Jesus. Please consult our leadership guide in the coming weeks for any updates regarding leadership responsibilities. Please contact our church secretary for a copy of that guide if needed.
 
Once again, thank you for the privilege of serving this church family. We trust that God will continue to bless and grow this church family in the years to come.
 
With a mixture of grief, gratitude, and grace,

Pastor Justin, Courtney, & family ​