Change… Two Years Later

June, 2007

by: Jay Underwood

As most of you know, God has performed a great miracle in my life and allowed me to graduate seminary! He has also opened wide a door for me to pastor the First Baptist Church of Weaverville in northwest California so I find myself with the task of writing my last Calvary Review article and frankly I’m not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it is another “last time” for me as are many things in my life right now. I think to myself this is the last time to visit my favorite Starbucks by the church, to watch my son’s baseball game at Olive or Mc Cambridge, to endulge in one of Vahak’s breakfast burritos, or donuts from the Donut Hut, to be with special friends (although I pray this is not really the case), or my last time with these Jr. Highers (yes, even though they are wacky, crazy off the wall and sometimes drive me up a wall, they are one of God’s creatures and I love them to pieces!), and on the other hand I am excited for what God has in store for me and my family.

Anyway, I went back and looked at my very first Calvary Review article and realized it is as applicable today as it was two years ago. Listen to the opening paragraph: “Change. Some people like it, some people don’t. Some consider it a blessing, some a curse. Some see it as something exciting, some see it as something dreaded. Some see new possibilities, some see their world falling apart. Regardless of whichever way you see it, change is a reality of life and this is very much true for the Jr. High ministry at this point in time. We are going through several changes, not the least of which is a change in leadership and of course this change affects everyone in the ministry; the students, parents and staff. We also have some brand new 5th (soon-to-be 6th) graders and we have lost our outgoing 8th graders.” I go on to tell folks about four characteristics of God and how once they are understood and whole heartedly believed in, then change can be viewed not as a negative part of our life but a positive. They are the fact that God is 1) sovereign (Ps. 103:19), 2) trustworthy and therefore dependable (Prov. 3:5-6), 3) omnipresent (Joshua 1:5; Mat. 28:20) in that He is always with us, walking with us, helping us and guiding us, and lastly 3) the fact that He always wants what’s best for us (Rom 8:28). It’s interesting in that I’m finding myself on the receiving end of this article as much as I am the one writing it and the need to follow my own biblical advice!!

In any case, let me close by telling you all how much my family and I will miss Calvary Bible Church and certainly the Jr. High. Indeed things are bitter sweet as we are excited for the great adventure that God is starting us out on and at the same time our heart already aches for the fellowship, teaching and ministry we have had the privilege to be a part of these last 10 years. You are our family and it wasn’t until coming to Calvary that Julie and I realized we are a part of a family other than the ones we grew up in; we are part of the family of Christ and in a more unique sense, part of the family of Christ at CBC. Please know that we love you all and will miss you all and look forward to rejoicing with you all in the heavenly kingdom with our great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

PS - Did we mention that we want to be your “vacation destination?” Come visit us! Weaverville or Bust!!