Dear B4 High School Students and Families:
In 2006, Stephanie and I made the decision to
leave the routine of life in Southern California and embark on a journey that
would forever change our lives. We moved
to Oregon with a one-year-old son, another baby on the way, and an
indescribable level of hope and anticipation for the future.
I can’t tell you how eager I was to move to
Beaverton and work alongside one of my best friends (Matt Unruh), as well as my
lifelong mentor, pastor, hero and friend (Rick Moyer).
Even with all that I had to look forward to, I
never could have imagined the level of blessing, joy, encouragement, and
all-around fun that I have experienced over the past eight years. These years have been without a doubt the
most fulfilling years of my life. I have
grown more than I ever thought possible – as a person, a pastor, a father, and
a friend.
The Lord has blessed my life in so many
ways. Since moving here, He has added to
our family and given us the three most incredible, energetic, and enthusiastic
children on the planet (I am slightly biased).
He blessed our family with a great home and He has given me, without a
doubt, the best team of people to work with in the whole world.
A few weeks ago, I met with one of our pastors to
discuss my role in future ministry here at the church. I had the opportunity to acknowledge that for
some reason, I’m not getting any younger!
It’s crazy how that works. I also
realized that I have now been involved in part time or full time youth ministry
for 18 years. That is a long time! After much prayer and deliberation, we have
decided that it is time for me to transition out of my role as high school
pastor.
Stepping away from youth ministry is one of the
hardest things I have ever had to do. The
Lord gave me a passion for high school ministry when He radically changed my
life as a teenager – and I’ve never lost that passion. I cherish the opportunities I’ve had to
interact with and encourage students in this monumental time in their
lives. I’ve had the chance to “live out my
dream” as a mentor and friend to so many wonderful young people who have come
through the church over these past years.
Here’s the exciting news for me in all of this:
I’m not going anywhere! Well,
technically I am (I’m moving my office a few hundred feet across the parking
lot to the main building). I have
accepted a position on staff as an Associate Pastor. I will have the opportunity to participate in
Men’s Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Hospital Visitation, Benevolence,
Counseling, Weddings, Funerals, and general Pastoral Care.
If I were to begin writing down everything I will
miss about being a youth pastor, I wouldn’t have enough ink in my printer to
get even one of these letters out. I
love our students more than I can say.
Having the opportunity to participate in summer camps, lead mission
trips, preach God’s Word, serve our community, and establish an outreach
basketball camp has been a “dream come true” for me, in every way. I now get to thank the Lord for all He has
done and look forward to the future in anticipation of all that He has planned
to do.
But more than that, I am so excited about our
high school team going forward. Dan Self
will remain the Youth Worship Director and Assistant High School Pastor, with
Michelle Whitaker continuing in her role as Assistant High School Pastor. And now I have the honor of introducing our
new high school pastor…Sam Nunez!
Sam is already known and loved by our high school
students and he is one of my best friends in the world. He has served faithfully here as a Children’s
Pastor and Junior High Pastor, and he is now stepping up to lead our high school
team. He will also serve as our new
Youth Department Director. Sam’s leadership
abilities are incredible and his passion for our students is second to
none. He is going to do an amazing job
leading this team, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of the High
School Ministry here at B4.
God’s plans are always greater than our own. And He always sees the big picture! We often get bogged down with the details of
every day life and we miss what God is doing on a grand scale. I am so excited to follow where He leads and
accept whatever calling He gives me. And
I can’t tell you how honored, blessed and humbled I am to be able to call
Beaverton Foursquare “home.”
I pray that my relationship with each of you will
only grow in time. If there is anything
I can do to serve your family, please don’t hesitate to ask. I love you all very much.
In Him,
Jeremy Stillwell
