When we started to tell some people close to us that we were considering packing up, moving across the world, and starting a completely new work in a foreign country, we were faced with an onslaught of questions. Since then, as we have committed to moving, began talking to more people and congregations, the questions have only increased.
Why are you leaving?
How did you even hear about this place?
Where is Singapore?
Why are you going there?
Couldn’t you find a job closer?
What about your kids?
First things first:
On July 15, 2007 I graduated from the Southwest School of Bible Studies. That night Lisa and I finished moving our final things from Austin to San Marcos, TX. Monday morning, July 17, 2007 at 8:00 a.m., I started my work with the University church of Christ at the McCarty Student Center as a Campus Minister. We have been fully engaged in this challenging and rewarding work ever since.
When we first came to San Marcos, we did not know how long we would stay, if the elders would keep us around, or even if the students would eventually welcome us. But, after a year or so of getting our feet on the ground, we began to see that we fit here. Have you ever picked up a baseball glove and worked it in and noticed that it had potential and took it out for a game of catch? And then took it home and worked it and reworked it with some leather oil and put it on the second time and knew that it fit perfectly? Really, that is how we began to feel about the work at McCarty, the people in the area, and the University congregation. The relationships we have developed and the people we have served and been served by are truly special.
A LOT has changed over the past twelve years. Experience brings knowledge and (hopefully) growth. However, very little has changed about the way we feel in regards to the good potential and work at McCarty. The Texas State University campus is a temporary home to almost 40,000 people. It is a great mission field full of good people who believe and practice wrong things. College campuses provide one of (if not the) greatest mission fields in the US (especially in states where the church is strong), and I firmly believe the church must not, cannot, relinquish this ground to the Adversary. The work at McCarty and sound church work being done on any college campus is truly vital.
We have been personally blessed by the students who have passed through McCarty over the last twelve years. Many now serve as Christian husbands, fathers, mothers, wives, preachers, pilots. accountants, soldiers, sailors, airmen, engineers, teachers, stay-at-home moms, entrepreneurs, coaches, counselors, and more. These alumni are serving the church where they are, and we have been blessed to watch them grow and walk in truth. The work at McCarty has been our work, but not ours alone. We have happily shared it with area congregations (who often host our male students to preach), local members (who adopt students as their own), staff (Wayne Jones, Andy Baker, and Jordan Moore with whom I have had the privilege to serve have all been teachers and mentors to students), and elders (who not only have oversight but involvement in the college work at University). The work at McCarty has been truly rewarding.
In other words, we did not begin looking for any opportunities because we wanted to leave. We believe in the people and mission of the church and how it is being carried out at McCarty.
Our decision to leave San Marcos, to leave University, and to leave McCarty was not and is not one we took lightly nor made quickly. We love the people and the work here. We do not even necessarily feel that “it is time to go” as though some unseen force was pushing us away. Through prayer, discussion, wise counsel, and human wisdom, Lisa and I have decided that this is a good time for us and McCarty (the University congregation as well) to take on new challenges and opportunities.
When an opportunity to investigate the work of the Four Seas College of Bible and Missions in Singapore was presented to us, it was an opportunity unique, challenging, timely, and fitting.
So, that’s why we are leaving.
Couldn’t you find a job closer?
Probably. Maybe. Truthfully, I don’t know. I was not looking for a new job, but if I had been, I likely could have found one closer to family or closer to our comfort level or closer “to home.” I know the Amazon facility in San Marcos is hiring weekend graveyard shifts.
More questions to be answered soon…stay tuned.(
-Trent
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I’m so glad you are placing your trust in the Father and getting out of your comfort zone! Singapore will be blessed by your family brother. Keep in touch as we are practically neighbors now! 😀
We’re excited about being in the region and look forward to seeing much more of you and your family!