My Sabbatical

jimmy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:31:38 +0000

Because of the nature of my job creating a wide network of friends and inability to communicate with all of you personally, I thought it best to put in writing what God has led me to during this upcoming season of my life.

After much conversation with those closest to me and prayer I have decided that it is time for me to take a sabbatical from my current responsibilities as Team Leader for Campus Crusade for Christ at the Univ. of Florida. I will be starting a sabbatical followed by a personal development program (including MPD) April 5, 2010, lasting until August 1, 2010.

There are two reasons for this time off.

The first is that I am starting to see a deep connection between my sense of value as a person and my production as a leader. Of course my desire is to honor the Lord with my life and ministry and that is truly the reason that I am on staff with Campus Crusade. However my desire to be approved and accepted runs deep in my heart. The longing to “succeed” in ministry resulting in this approval has driven me in ways that are unhealthy. Over these 4 years of leading the ministry at UF, I have worked long hours and laid awake many nights stressing over what might be the outcome of various ministry endeavors.

In many ways my ministry has been my top priority and sense that in many ways I have ignored my heart, not fully experiencing all that God has for ME. This preoccupation with ministry has also taken my attention away from my wife and children in many ways. I fear that continuing down this path will only create more and more distance between me and those relationships that are most important to me, God and my family.

Secondly, I have come to a point in my leadership that I am uncertain of what God wants for His ministry at UF. Because I have run so hard in my work, I have not taken the proper time to seek the Lord about the future direction of this ministry. I am hopeful that as I take time to allow God to heal my heart, He will also give me a renewed vision for what He wants this ministry to trust Him for in the coming years.

During this time I plan to spend intentional time with the Lord, my wife and kids and some specific friends that are committed to me and my growth as a man of God. I will also be avoiding certain time traps and distracters like Facebook, Twitter and my blog.

I am very thankful to God for this time and hopeful that He is going to do a renewing work in my heart. I trust that this time will be a relaunching of my marriage and ministry with Campus Crusade at UF in the Fall. Please pray for me to that end.

Many of you give prayerfully and financially to our family and we want you to know that we are extremely thankful for your support and prayers during this time.

God bless you all. Keep the Faith.

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Our Funny Christmas

jimmy — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:29:47 +0000

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UF Campus Crusade students make ABC news

jimmy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:03:42 +0000

Some of the students involved with us at UF have been setting up couches in one of the plazas where students pass by on their way to and from class. The reason, Couch Talk. The students just desire to bless the University by listening. Of course there is plenty that these students have to say if asked, but their primary purpose, to listen.

Check out the link for the ABC News piece.

‘Couch Talk’ Venting Draws Passersby

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