The First of my "Lasts" - Lines, Lights and Worship

It's this time where I'm beginning to experience the first of my "Lasts" here in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I'll be moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma in less than a month, and the reality is just now sinking in as I start to say my goodbyes. I figured I would mark these moments, and acknowledge them for what they are and what they meant to me as I move on in this next season.

This week was my last week volunteering for the Kid's Ministry team at church. I didn't really feel it until the morning was over and everyone was going home. I saw the emptiness of the room, the stage, the sound booth, and I was fighting back tears.

I had spent my Sundays in this room for over 6 years. I had transitioned into this rotation along with my dad when I was still in high school... 10th grade I believe. The church was still using an outside curriculum at the time, but it wasn't long until they shifted to scripts written in-house. That's when my brother became one of the actors for one of the skits.

So all three of us were together as we volunteered. That was my life for around 5 years until my brother transitioned out. You can only look and talk like a middle school boy for so long! As my Dad and my brother were on stage, it all started in the sound booth for me as tech support.

I ran the computers and lights for a few years, enjoying the lack of attention. It was quiet back there, and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it even more when a good friend of mine, Harrison started working sound in the booth with me.

We go back since 5th grade, going to the same youth group. We would crack jokes, be stupid and miss audio and visual queues because of our silent antics. Who knew we would end up being a major stage presence years later.

Through the years, we witnessed many leadership transitions in the team. I started with Matt, who was such a great guy to work with. He brought an energy to the room and really engaged with the kids while he spoke on stage. Now he's a Rhema graduate, continuing to be a children's pastor down in Tulsa where I'll see him again!

A few more years pass and now our leaders are two wonderful women of God, Madeline and Tori. Tori has known me since I was a baby, a family friend of my parents for years since their Rhema days. And Madeline is a wonderful young woman with a heart for kids and a love for people. 

Soon after they filled in the leadership role, I transitioned to be on worship with another friend Abby, and Harrison eventually became another stage presence alongside my dad. We've been having fun in that room ever since.

But this past Sunday was it. My last day. No more early mornings, pulling into an empty church parking lot and a quiet atrium to find a small group of sleepy heads getting ready for recording. No more Disney talks with Abby, or sharing dog videos with the cast backstage, or failing to hold in our laughter as to keep quiet while service was going on.

So much has happened in that room. So many accomplishments, memories, laughs, cries, prayers and answers. I learned to be servant-hearted, how to act, how to engage with kids, how to be patient and kind, how to worship God in such a beautifully simplistic way.

I owe a lot to the people who believed in me, who raised me up in this environment, and who allowed me to become a part of this family. I will cherish my time here, and I won't forget you. And to those who I volunteered with for years, I love you and I will miss you greatly.