Joseph Fehlen – One Step at a Time – February 27th, 2011
Christy Fehlen – Law vs. Love – February 20th, 2011
Dear Friend;
Crescent Lake Bible Camp in Rhinelander WI was where Christy and I first met. The year is still debatable but we can agree that we were only in grade school. Growing up across the state from each other we would find ourselves writing, calling and spending lots of time together during youth events. We then got married at the young age of nineteen at the Rhinelander Foursquare Church. Many have asked us, “why so young?” Our response usually is, “we wanted to do life together.”
And life together we have done and it has yet to be boring.
We spent nine years in Minnesota cutting our teeth at college and in church ministry. Two years in Virginia learning the voice of God. It then took me three years in Washington to realize I am not perfect and all my ideas are not gold. These last four years at South Everett Foursquare we have felt the heart beat of God for the poor, the foreigner, and the parentless.
These last 16 years have been a great journey. And, three kids, seven different mailing address, three college degrees, seven cars, one motorcycle, endless friends and 5841 miles later we are circling back around to where it all started. It is with both joy and sadness that we will be moving back home to pastor at the church where we said “I do” to a life’s journey together.
Some transitions are hard and others are easy. This is both.
It has been extremely hard to envision leaving what we have had a hand in developing here in Everett. This is a great church that is little in size and big in heart with thriving ministries reaching out to thousands of the most vulnerable in our community. Our hearts and hands will be breaking as we leave some great leaders and very dear friends that have chosen to come and do life with us. Because of that this has been the most difficult decision our family has ever made.
On the other side, it is easy for us to envision returning home because of the connection we have established over a lifetime with family and friends. It is a great church that is thriving and looking towards the future impact they can have on their community. It is an honor to go to a church where the last two pastors have been there a total of 50 years.
We do not yet have a firm transition timeline but look to stay in Washington until the end of the school year. Those in leadership over our church do not what to rush anything. Our Foursquare district team will be working with the local church leadership to find the right person to fill this pastoral role in an appropriate timeframe.
We have had a fair amount of moving these last few years and we are so grateful to those of you that have given a bit of yourselves to us and we hope that we have left a deposit of our ourselves with you. Scripture says in Romans 13:8, “owe no one anything but love”. We are forever in debt to you for the love you have shown us.
See you on the road as we journey together,
Joseph and Christy
Joseph Fehlen – Live, Die or Both – February 13th, 2011
Joseph Fehlen – Faith + Nothing = Salvation – February 6th, 2011
