God is amazing! The Tates are moving to NC!

At the beginning of November 2009, we made a huge decision for our family. We decided to step away from our wedding video business to pursue a calling. For most, I’m sure it seemed like a crazy decision. I won’t lie — there were days when we felt the same way! “What have we done?” Or more accurately, “What are we going to do?”

Four years ago I was a youth pastor to middle school and high school students. We stepped out of that position, but our desire was never to step away from vocational ministry. And though there’s always a chance you’ll “never go back,” the years since we left have made it clear – our hearts never stepped away from the deep calling within: to pour our lives into people.

So although the path ahead was very unclear, we took a step of faith. For us, I admit, it was a huge step of faith! I had 4-6 months of income still coming in, but after that, who knows? What would we do? How would I get back into vocational ministry? For me, the burning question was, “Who will take a chance on me?” And yet we were fully confident that God could do something incredible. That God would do something incredible. When he would choose to do it was another matter!

Shortly after deciding to bring 28:20 films to an end, I developed a network of men to support me through this transition. Good, godly, honorable men who were current/former pastors and friends of mine – people I knew who would help carry the burden with me. I asked these men to pray with us, and for us, for the following six months. I felt like this period of time was going to be crucial in terms of the course and direction of our lives. I was right.

Approximately one month after asking these men to pray for us, I ran across an amazing opportunity. I wasn’t really looking – not seriously anyways — but I happened to “stumble” across an opportunity at a church in North Carolina. You’ve got to understand — our “plan” wasn’t to intentionally start seeking out opportunities until at least March or April 2010 – we just wanted to begin taking little steps to be ready for another situation. But without going through all the details (though I’d be more than happy to share them with you sometime!), God put this thing in front of me. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it, to this day! What we found — what God brought to us — is the closest thing to a “perfect” situation for us, as much as we could ever dream of. Of course I know that life isn’t perfect, that there will be struggles, bumps in the road, and all the normal things that come with life. But for us, this is the perfect fit…

This week I was invited to join the team of New Community Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. I will be the Pastor of Student Ministries, and will work primarily with middle school and high school students. I’m so excited to work with this group of people! And I must say, we’re super excited to live near the coast! We’ll be within an hour of Virginia Beach AND the Outer Banks. Yeah, go ahead — I know you’re jealous! ;)

We still stand in amazement at what God has done! Without question, God has proven himself faithful to us! We took a huge risk stepping out, but to us it wasn’t a foolish step, it was a step of faith. We felt God calling us to move, and we got up and started walking. And he took care of us! He blessed us! He made the path clear!

November 1, we decided to leave 28:20. November 5, I asked a group of men to pray for our family for the next 6 months. December 10, I made first contact with New Community Church. February 10, exactly two months later, I was invited to join the staff of NCC.

Don’t tell me that God doesn’t still move! That he doesn’t bless and use those who follow him, who trust him, who bet their entire lives on him coming through! God is amazing. He’s had these intentions for us and our family, for a long time. All we had to do was trust him and act in faith.

Thanks so much to those of you who have played a role in this incredible act of grace! Many of our dear friends have prayed, have supported us, have encouraged us, and have believed in us. I am so overwhelmed by God’s goodness. A lot of you understand it already. Some of you still need to submit yourselves to it. Wherever you’re at in life, I’m asking you to take a risk, and throw your life into his hands. He won’t drop you, he won’t let you go. He’ll be faithful. He’ll be good. He’s using us as a living story of that truth.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3.20)