the Common Blog

Friends, as most of you know by now God is calling me and my family to a new church for a new season of ministry. I thought I would take the time todrop you a quick note to tell you about it. I recently took an Associate Pastor position at Countryside Church in Michigan City and Missio Dei in Valparaiso (I’ll explain the two names in a bit).

Bethel has been church home to Pam and I for the past 10 years and hold a special place in our hearts. We met each other at Bethel, became Christians while at Bethel, were baptized at Bethel, were married in the auditorium, have both been on staff at Bethel and our family has grown from 2 to 5 during our time here at Bethel. For us, this transition is bittersweet and especially true for me as I have been at Bethel ever since my family moved to this area back in 1986. Bethel truly is our home.

Over the past 10 years God has used this church, its leadership and its people, as the primary means by which to grow us, challenge us spiritually and equip us for this new work. The sad part comes as we reflect on all that God has done over the past 10 years knowing that God is taking us somewhere else. Deep friendships, memories, inside jokes, countless conversations, times of prayer, encouraging words, challenging words, shared laughs, tears shed, ministry opportunities and special moments. These things will always be dear to us and we will miss everyone and everything.

The exciting part for us comes as we look forward to serving at our new church. Countryside Church in Michigan City is a Christ-exalting, gospel-centered, missional community. Over the past three years, under the leadership of lead pastor, Kevin Galloway, the church has been brought through deep, significant changes and has experienced a tremendous amount of gospel growth while seeking to transition into becoming a missional church.

Countryside is a church that truly sees itself as the people of God sent out to love people in both word and deed and God has been doing some amazing things there recently.

Part of Countryside being a missional church is the desire to plant new churches, which is what they did back in November of 2009 when they planted Missio Dei (latin for “Mission of God”) in Valparaiso. Missio Dei is not an autonomous church, but an extension of the Countryside community and is seeking to love God and love others in Valparaiso. We currently are meeting in the Boys & Girls Club building on Campbell Street.

My immediate responsibilities as an Associate Pastor are to lead the student ministry at Countryside and to assist in leading and shepherding God’s people at both Countryside and Missio Dei. This will include teaching, preaching, disciple-making, connecting people in community and helping them to discover their giftedness for the mission.

Pam and I have truly seen God’s sovereign hand in this process, opening doors and preparing us for this new opportunity. I am very excited to be able to use my passions and gifts in both of these communities. Please pray for us as we transition into our new church home. May we all continually trust in God as he works out his will in this world, in this region and in our own lives. I praise God for the past 10 years that I have been here as a Christ-follower, it’s been a great joy to spend it with you.

Whether at Countryside, Missio Dei or Bethel, it’s all about Jesus, it’s always been about Jesus and it will forever be about Jesus.

- Tony, Pam & family

Check out Countryside on-line at http://www.countrysideonline.org/ and check out Missio Dei at http://www.missiovalpo.com/

Read a little bit more of my new church’s story from lead pastor Kevin Galloway here  http://www.acts29network.org/article/countryside-church–michigan-city-in/