WCC Student Ministry Update
The email below was sent to parents of WCC students on October 31:
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Dear parents of students at WCC,
We're excited to share an announcement: we are hiring a High School pastor! We wanted to update you on the details, broken into three parts...
Welcome Josh Butler
First, we have brought on Josh Butler to lead our Middle School and High School Ministries. Josh has served on our Central Team as a Teaching Pastor and will now also join our Willamette Team as an Associate Pastor, with a focus in this next season on overseeing and equipping our MSM and HSM ministries. For Middle School, Josh is diving in with Zach Steele, Claire Newrones, and the rest of our student team. For High School, he's not only guiding the search for our next High School Pastor but also stepping in as an interim to provide support during this transition.
The Interim Plan
Second, here's a note from Pastor Josh on the interim plan while we are searching for a High School Pastor:
From Josh - Hello families! I'm so excited to serve your students in the season ahead. Middle School and High School are such a formative time in our lives and a chance to grow in our walk with Jesus. Three of my priorities for our High School Ministry are to:
- Equip: to equip your youth with high-quality teaching that will prepare them for the toughest topics and challenges they will face, both biblically and culturally, in the years ahead.
- Connect: to connect your youth in meaningful relationships with other students, through fun and interactive environments, where they can know and be known in Christ-like friendships.
- Mentor: to foster student-to-mentor relationships with healthy adults, through our small group environments, where your youth can find caring adults who love Jesus and pour into their lives.
Regarding equipping, we'll be doing a November/December teaching series called The Skeletons in God's Closet, tackling some of the toughest questions your students can face regarding their faith. Then, in January/February, we'll do a teaching series called (Out)dated, on how to find love that lasts when dating and relationships have changed. You can check out the Teaching Calendar with more week-by-week detail HERE.
The Search Process
Third, Pastor Josh is leading the search for our next High School Pastor. We are conversing with several key relationships and strategic networks to find the right fit. We will open this position to the public, inviting anyone interested to apply. In addition to our goals above (a ministry that equips, connects, and mentors), we desire to find someone who can build a strong outreach presence with our local schools to see Jesus transform students through a movement in our city. This pastor will join our dynamic student team, with Josh Butler, Zach Steele, Claire Newrones, and our phenomenal volunteer leaders.
Thank You, Rich Ward!
Finally, a huge shout out to Rich Ward, who gets the "Iron Man" award for jumping in during this transitional season so we could prayerfully discern our long-term strategy. Pastor Rich, along with Zach Steele and Claire Newrones, have done a phenomenal job leading the charge over the last few months. During this time, Black Lake Camp finished with over 60+ Middle School students getting baptized and our High School Ministry had fresh energy with a focus on rich biblical engagement.
Pastor Rich will be stepping into some exciting new leadership opportunities on staff at Willamette. Rich will step into the role of our Campus Pastor and will be focusing on developing prayer, healing, and pastoral care ministries as well as continuing to serve as our men's pastor. We wanted to honor him here for his Christ-exalting leadership, outstanding work, and faithful servant heart through this transitional season. Be sure to tell him "Thank you!" when you see him.
Thank you, parents. We love you and are praying for you, and for your students (please continue to pray for us!) We're honored to walk with you in helping your students know, love, and follow Jesus, and we're excited for all Jesus has in store for the season ahead.
In Christ,
Alex Lessler, Rich Ward, and Josh Butler