As we learned from camp, Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight,” I am reminded that God does things in our lives that we aren’t prepared for, that we aren’t able to comprehend, that we can just be shocked by.
Camp focused on this theme and it has spoken to me louder than ever. He knows what is better for us than we do. Jackson might feel hurt when running down our driveway and I have to jerk him quick to rescue him from a speeding car. He might be crying in my arms but he is in my arms.
So the same way is true with us. Things happen and we don’t understand at first but then we see a little clearer.
This is where I am right now. In His arms. I know that God is my protector and wants me to first take care of my family. Ephesians 5:25 says,“ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”
I want to be that kind of husband. And because of that, back in May, I became open to the possibility of going back to Texas near family. And I stand before you now to tell you that we will be moving back to Waco, TX at the end of this month. I am officially stepping down as the minister to students here at First Baptist Nashville.
We have made this decision with the worst of struggles. We do not take this lightly.
You need to know that starting this journey I was merely open to this idea and did not pursue any job. I was happy here and felt like this is the best youth ministry I’ve been a part of. I have an amazing youth group, God has done amazing things this summer, why on earth would it be time? But I knew I wanted to do the very best for my family and so I was torn between these two- My ministry and my family. And so I decided to just mull it around a bit.
Not long after that, my uncle called me and asked for my resume, I dodged the request, he didn’t push. Then he called and asked again…same thing. Then I was reminded of my decision to be open and think what this would mean for my family. So the third time he called to get my resume I reluctantly gave it to him. I didn’t even look at it to update it, that’s how unenthusiastic I was, still.
Not too long ago I received a call from Brian Dunks, the pastor of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco. He told me that he wanted a youth pastor that would struggle with the idea of leaving the current place of ministry. He wasn’t seeking someone who was unhappy and ready to leave. He was seeking someone who would really have to pray. I told him you found the guy.
He told me he just wanted me to pray about the possibility of serving alongside him. So all I did was pray, not expecting much. I asked God to speak to me and give me guidance, I asked God to make it clear and slam the door shut. Well, the door never shut and I believe my heart was softened. Softened to continuing the process.
I received another call from the church. They asked me how I was feeling and I told them that God hasn’t shut any doors.
Now, I need to make this clear to you, the initial prayer was about being back in Waco, with family, but I wanted to be called to the ministry of this church. So as time went on I truly felt called to Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.
The church is very similar to ours. Downtown church, lots of schools represented, lots of similarities.
I shared with them about how great things were going here at First Baptist Nashville and how great a youth group God had given me, how great a team God surrounded me with, how great a staff I had to work with, and how great a pastor He had placed over me in Pastor Frank.
I told them how awesome our trip to West Virginia was, how awesome camp was, and how amazing y’all did.
Well, God still wasn’t shutting doors and God continued to change our hearts. I was telling God how awful the timing was of all of this. The excitement of a new year, the new 7th graders, new family groups, the new SS team, and great momentum. “God, if this does happen, it can’t happen til January surely.”
Well, the next day in my quiet time, where God has spoken to me many times through His word, God reminded me of His perfect timing. He reminded me that my timing isn’t always His. Again, at Labor Day Retreat, I am reminded that our thoughts are not His thoughts, and our ways are not His ways. I’m taken back by the clarity.
I tell you this so that you know what God has done in the middle of this. This hopefully should help you understand the journey and the reiteration of trusting in God and not our own understanding.
My last Sunday will be September 21st. I will start at CABC October 1st.
Let me be clear in saying this, I loved being here at First Baptist Nashville. I loved working with Pastor Frank and Tom Crow and the rest of the staff. I believe in what they are doing here.
We are confident in our call to Columbus Avenue but we leave behind many great friends, mentors, students whom we love and many memories. There’s nothing that has happened to make me want to leave you. Parents, I love you, and will miss you and your support and your friendships.
I want to thank Pastor Frank for his leadership and just being my pastor, my friend and mentor in so many ways. He has constantly supported me when it was tough. He has looked out for me and my family and it means the world.
I also thank so many of you parents and youth workers for your incredible leadership. I’ve learned so much from you and your hearts for teenagers. I look up to you as role models. I want to thank those on the search committee who brought me here and gave me a chance. You led me through many trials. You were and continue to be supportive.
And to you, students of this youth group, thanks for letting me be your youth pastor. Thanks for learning along with me what it means to follow Christ. Thanks for the great fun, for Otter’s time, for 2 ½ years of letting me in your world. I love you and will miss you greatly naturally be checking in on you and your walk with Jesus.
I know Sally, Jackson, and I love you and will miss you very much.
~ Josh Crosby, Minister to Students
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