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Letter to the Congregation

Grace Community Church,

You often hear that news spreads like a wildfire, and I’m guessing that’s true of the announcement I made this past Sunday at Crossroads. However, I’m sure there are some of you out there that haven’t heard yet.

After lots of thinking, praying, and seeking counsel from friends and family over the last six months I decided to apply and was accepted into JMU’s Graduate School for the 2016/17 school year. I am looking to complete the remaining requirements necessary to receive my teaching license in Health and Physical Education for K-12.

My friend’s daughter often uses the term “nerv-cited”. I’m nervous but also excited to begin this next chapter of life.  Yes, I am anxious about the transition and the unknowns that await me, but excited at the same time to finish what I started at JMU. He has given me a passion for physical activity, wellness, and teaching, and I’m looking forward to seeing how He’ll use that moving forward. There is one verse that I’ve been reciting frequently over the last few months.  Psalm 16:8 (NLT) says “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” I love the visual that verse gives. It prompts me to reflect on the promise of His constant presence, and it reminds me that I’m never alone.

As God seems to be calling me back to school, my work at Grace will change. I wish more than anything that I could do both, but there are only so many hours in a day. I first came to Grace back in 2009 after a personal invite from John Kidd who many of you know. At that point, Dave Saville was leading the youth and I jumped right in as a volunteer. Eventually an opportunity opened up to do part-time work in the ministry, and that lead to a full-time position. Here I am four years later reflecting on an incredible experience! What have I learned? Here are just a few things. Surprisingly, students don’t enjoy relay races using spam, but they do love creating spaghetti and marshmallow towers I’ve learned that Karen Sawyer is the perfect person to prank in the office because she never holds a grudge. I’ve come to realize that volunteer youth leaders are a rare but beautiful breed who seem to be fearless and extremely flexible. Also, the deepest spiritual conversations with students typically happen in the rental van on the drive home from a retreat. Through it all, God’s really taught me a lot about relying on His strength, especially when I’ve felt weak.

At the end of the day though, when I reminisce about these last few years I think of people. I see your faces. I think of all the students I’ve had the absolute privilege to work with and get to know. My story is different because of the role they’ve all played. They’ve taught me so much along the way, and have challenged me to think more about why I believe what I believe through their own wrestling and great questions. It’s also been pretty remarkable to have had a front row seat to witness the spiritual growth of so many of the teens. I think of the awesome volunteer leaders who’ve given so much of themselves and that I’ve loved serving alongside of. I always tell them I can’t do what I do without them! I think of the parents who have been so supportive and offered to help in one way or another. I think of the staff meetings we’ve shared at the table talking about ministry and laughing about life. I think of the congregation who collectively has pointed me back to Jesus time and time again through your love, prayers, and your friendship.

Grace has truly become my Virginia family. It’ll be really hard to say “see you later” at the end of July, but thankfully I have lots of options for places to stay when I drive back over the mountain for visits! I’m excited to see what God has in store not only for the youth ministry at Grace, but the entire congregation. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”- Psalm 100:5 (ESV)

Love,

Stacey Powdrell

 

 

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