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Celestial City Lights…

July 2, 2012 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

These are the city lights of Chicago…you can see a sprawling metropolis that goes on for miles. As my plane was doing a loop waiting for landing space at O’hare I was able to take in the city, pick out the skyline, particular buildings that were familiar to me and even cars on Lakeshore Dr.  This plane ride was very different than many before. I have made this flight at least 20 times since going to school at Moody Bible Institute and then living in Wheaton, IL. This flight was different knowing that it would be one of my last times for a while flying into Chicago, Austin will be our new place of residency. My stomach was in knots knowing that I am leaving a youth ministry I love, people I have relationships with over 6 years now, and just the thought of boxing up our life and moving south some 1,000 miles was becoming more and more of a reality. Though I am incredibly excited about this transition and the team I will be doing life with in Texas, it’s still something hard to swallow. As I sat in my seat gazing out the window over Chicago city lights, I simply prayed, “God, give me peace…reveal yourself to me.” I’m not exaggerating when I say, not even a second later I followed out a well lit highway to see this sitting right below me….

I know it’s hard to make out but this is Wheaton Bible Church….just below the really bright light (that’s a new ballpark the city just put in). Out of all the lights that make up Chicago, God allowed my eyes to see this tiny spec on the map. Though a tiny spec on the map, Wheaton Bible Church along with Gateway Church in Austin are only two of thousands upon millions of shimmering lights that make up the celestial lights in the city of God! God brought abundant peace to my soul and amazing understanding to see how He works through his church body among the nations to build up His eternal kingdom. I cannot wait to get the bird’s eye view from heaven one day to see how the global church of history past has partnered together in building up the kingdom of God…one light at a time.

Paul’s words come to mind when he is encouraging the church at Philippi …

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

It has become more apparent to me than ever before due to my time of transition, we all have our separate church buildings, neighborhoods, and communities that we would consider our “church” home, but let us not forget the kingdom that we all share in building together. We are all batting for the same team. Hopefully one day you can share in the bird’s eye view, today you can only live intentionally in light of that day.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: airplane, austin, chicago, Gateway Church, lights, ministry, mission, peace, prayer, transition, wheaton bible church, Youth Ministry, youth pastor

We’re moving…

June 21, 2012 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

We’re moving to Texas! The word is out officially among both our current and future church homes…the transition days are very bittersweet, it continues to be an emotional rollercoaster. We are sad to move away from Wheaton Bible Church, our friends in the Chicagoland area, and the many memories and ministry experiences that God has created here over the past 6 years. While it is hard to say goodbyes, we are thoroughly excited and welcome the opportunity at Gateway Church in Austin, Texas! I have accepted the position of Student Pastor overseeing the middle school and high school ministry.

After a long interview process, much prayer, seeking wisdom from mentors, family and friends we are confident that God indeed has blessed mine and Calla’s calling to Austin. We are both looking forward to see how God will use us in this next chapter of life together.

Your prayers are appreciated during our transition in the weeks ahead!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: austin, chicago, gateway church austin, interview, moving, student pastor, texas, transitions, wheaton bible church, Youth Ministry

Have a destination in mind…

June 1, 2012 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

lifeofayouthpastor.com is here! This website/blog is really a snapshot of my life (Chris Parker) as a youth pastor, husband, and most importantly one who understands that this life is NOT MY OWN (1Cor.6:19) I have been adopted by God and am experiencing LIFE TO THE FULLEST through His son Jesus Christ. (John 10:10) I hope to provide other youth pastors, leaders, volunteers, parents and students an open door to my life as it revolves around youth ministry, my family and adventures of mine!

Scott Murray, Junior High Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church…very much my partner in crime when it comes to youth ministry is the first to subscribe! Scott is great…he loves Jesus, his family and his youth ministry team. We exchange ideas, experiences in ministry, sermon ideas and vision all the time. I’m excited to do the same with many of you through lifeofayouthpastor.com

Knowing where you are going in ministry is critically important, whether it be a small task or a full blown program. How you get there may have numerous routes or detours, the reality is though that you do have a destination in mind. I would hope that lifeofayouthpastor.com would be a ministry in and of itself to many that subscribe (subscribe by email just by the click of a button on the top right corner of the page!)

So, I do need a destination in mind that I can continually travel toward as I write…my destination when all said and done is to look back at hundreds of postings that would have connected hundreds of people and sparked hundreds of conversations concerning youth ministry, the Bible, the church world, the parenting world, and give you a small peek at who Chris Parker is as a youth pastor.

Enjoy!

…and subscribe 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: childrensministry, church, parenting, pastor, religion, subscribe, teenagers, wheaton bible church, youth ministry team, youth pastor, youthminsitry

Hey there, my name is Chris. I wake up every morning thinking youth ministry. If you are in the same boat, then I know you will identify with me, because you also live the life of a youth pastor .

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