—–ATTENTION: THIS POST IS NOT BY RYAN. HE’S NOT LEAVING. YOU CAN BREATHE AGAIN—–
By Jonathan Howe
I posted this on my site the Sunday we announced we were leaving CrossPoint to move to Nashville. I thought it would be a fitting way to end the week.
As many of you know, I have worked for the past few years in the Christian publishing industry. Through my work, I’ve dealt with a variety of people at LifeWay Christian Resources. Little did I know that I would eventually join them in their efforts. LifeWay is one of the largest curriculum providers in the US as well as one of the largest retail chains. It’s a fantastic company with competent, godly leaders with whom I will have the pleasure of working.
In my new role, I will be aiding with social media production and preparation for the executive leadership team at LifeWay. My work will mostly revolve around content planning and preparation for Thom Rainer, president of the company, and Ed Stetzer, one of the many vice presidents.
These two men are titans of their industry. Not just in the business side, but as thought leaders as well. Dr. Stetzer is one of the leading figures in missiology and church planting, and Dr. Rainer has—probably more than anyone in this generation—shaped how local churches operate and how they are structured.
They are well-respected, godly men. And I am now privileged to work with them and learn from them on a daily basis.
As for leaving Birmingham, and more specifically our friends at Crosspoint:
We will miss you dearly.
You have become a family to us.
I cannot thank the teachers and leaders at CrossPoint enough for your support of my wife as she has served at CrossPoint.
Ethan and Parker’s Sunday school teachers, VBS teachers, and anyone who has had them in childcare: You have taught my boys well the ways of the Lord. We thank you for your service and your commitment to further the Kingdom of God.
I will miss much about CrossPoint. It is truly a choice church with a choice pastor. Ryan has become one of my closest friends. He trusted me with his blog a few years ago. I knew very little about websites and social media at that time. Without that one opportunity, I wouldn’t have had the experience or the know-how for this new journey. So, Ryan, if you’re still looking for someone to blame, find a mirror.
There are too many things about CrossPoint that we will miss for me to make a complete list, but here are a few:
- godly men who serve their pastor by praying for him and interceding while he preaches
- ushers and deacons with servant hearts on whom I can count to hand me my worship guide at a specific door each week
- knowing who will collect my offering every week – same person for the past 2 years…every week
- seeing children of friends come to Christ and be baptized
- learning theology, biblical history, and hermeneutics every week from the pulpit without everyone realizing it is happening—Whitley is sneaky that way
- seeing a church take membership and membership renewal seriously
- all 14,689 t-shirts I’ve gotten in the past 4 1/2 years
- last but not least, John Coon’s barbecue
CrossPoint, you have a great staff and will continue to have a great one even after your best staff member leaves (I am biased). They love God, they faithfully serve God’s people, and the passionately carry out God’s mission. You can’t ask for anything more than that out of a staff.
Again, I will miss CrossPoint dearly.
However, I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me, Beth, Parker, and Ethan in Nashville.
Soli Deo Gloria
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