TN or NC in June 2024? What’s up with that?

June 17 update, original post below

Have you ever had one of those moments?

That’s what Kristine and I were experiencing on our flight home yesterday — looking at each other and going, “Is God speaking to you like I think He’s speaking to me?”

We traveled from Nashville to Dayton, Dayton to Knoxville/Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg to Asheville, NC, and from Asheville up through Johnson City and eventually back to Nashville.

What we did experience is a TOTALLY unexpected draw of our hearts to something undefined. We don’t know if it’s a particular ministry or location in that area, but in a way you’ll just have to trust me for, it was unexpectedly strong. We’ve been lifelong residents of the Pacific Northwest, and we’re flying home literally going, “Really, Lord?” Something moved in our hearts.

What we did not experience was knowing exactly what, where, or when. I’ve found two different positions at Christian colleges that would be awesome, but that’s ok given that, to me, "being pastoral” has a broad semantic range.

I’ve an opportunity right where I’m at to do an intentional ‘residency’ as an associate pastor while I finish my DMin. At a human level, I could make an argument for moving to Tennessee this summer and I could equally make an argument for hunkering down where I’m at for another year or two.

Fortunately this isn’t something I have to do solely in my own wisdom.

Thank you, Lord, that you’ll come through with the right answer when the time is right. It’s your church and mission. And I pray that Kristine and I will simply be ready to serve you today where you have us today, letting you take care of tomorrow.

***

Kristine and I have this in common: We’re very much natives of the Pacific Northwest AND we have traveled a ton.

She’s done more internationally (and I mean, a LOT), and I’ve done more domestically (have been in all 50 states).

But there’s been this niggling we’ve had about eastern Tennessee/western North Carolina (think Knoxville to Asheville), so we booked a trip to do a “prayer walk” road trip.

We’ll be there June 9th-16th.

If you know someone we should visit in between, we’re building our itinerary around God-shaped appointments.