THANK YOU!

Dear People of First Friends and guests, 

I cannot THANK YOU enough for the wonderful celebration for my 30 years in ministry this past Sunday.  As I shared on Sunday, these 30 years have been a learning and growing experience for me and my family.  Each stop in the journey has taught me something new and given me different glimpses into the impact of embracing the Beloved Community can have on our lives and world.  

I want to thank specifically those that made this day so special; Jason White, Maryellen Lohr, Adam Roth, Beth Henricks, Sue Henry (my wife), Sue Henry (my mom), Steve Henry (my dad), Rebecca Liming and the Fellowship Committee, Rebecca Lopez, Eric Baker, Shawn McConaughey (WYM Superintendent), Michael Sherman (FUM Coordinator for North American and Caribbean Ministries), and all our special guests and friends who spoke or wrote beautiful memories and messages from my 30 years of ministry. 

I know I shared a lengthy message on Sunday, seemingly emptying myself only to be filled immediately in the fellowship hall with many wonderful words from each of you and many from my past.  I needed a nap that afternoon after being overwhelmed by memories and the love of people I have had the privilege of serving, serving with, or being mentored by.  Also, to have all three of my grown children, my wife and partner on this journey, my amazing parents who modeled God’s love all these years, two dear friends from Oregon and Washington, and one of my students from Huntington University, was simply the icing on the cake.  And speaking of cake, that cake with Mickey Mouse trapped inside it was amazing (and there is more to share this coming Sunday in fellowship hour). 

30 years is a long time, but as I was reminded on Sunday, these 30 years have been full of seeing, firsthand, that of God at work in the lives of so many amazing people. This includes the last eight years of ministry among you here at First Friends, which has been some of the best in my ministry, thus far.  I look forward to what God has instore for us and for me in the journey ahead. As well, thank you to all who financially supported my upcoming sabbatical (May-July 2026), this would not be possible without your gifts. 

Thank you again for this celebration and here is to many more wonderful years of ministry together as way opens!  

Grace and peace,