That first week I began working with Jim & Sharon, and with Rob Vogt and Joyce Sampson. We were a small but effective team, but I must confess that for the first few weeks on the job I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing. Slowly but surely I settled in as a pastor. I remember thinking that I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do this job. I would have done it for free. A few years earlier God had changed my life and I wanted to help Him change other people’s lives too. For me it was really that simple.
Since my first few months at SouthSide, the staff has continually evolved. With Rob’s passing came a need for a Support Pastor for Jim & Sharon, and Jim Fry was hired. And soon after that Carolyn Martens came on as our Children’s Pastor, and Marilyn Andersen as our receptionist. For a few years our team stayed intact and we worked hard to make SouthSide a place where people could meet God each Sunday.
As I prepare for my last two weeks as a Pastor at SouthSide, I’m just amazed at the memories I have. For 9 years I gave my heart and everything I had to be a part of our staff. We were each different and yet together we just seemed to work. I can distinctly remember times of hilarious laughter together, and I can remember times when we endured through very difficult circumstances. I think most of all I will remember being part of a team that was doing something significant for God.
As SouthSide Church prepares for the upcoming years, Mike Mannes, Carolyn Martens, Brock Adams, Dianna Duerksen and Becky Poole are forming a new team. And just like 9 years ago, I think God has some pretty great plans ahead. It will be exciting to hear about the good things happening at SouthSide Church in the years to come.
As my time draws to a close I wanted to take this last chance to share my appreciation with you. It has been an honour and a privilege to work as a Pastor at SouthSide, and I thank you for your patience, your support, and your friendship to Alison and I.
