Dear Trinity Church Family,
On behalf of our Trinity Elders, it is with both sadness and a deep sense of gratitude for God's many blessings through Scott and Jenny Drake's ministry that we write to let you know that Scott's leadership as Director of our High School ministry has come to a close. Whether or not you know Scott and Jenny personally, we know you share our sincere gratitude for the blessings and joy God has given to our entire congregation through their faithful and fruitful ministry to our students and their families these past fourteen years.
By way of helping you know how to pray during this time of transition, we thought it might be encouraging for you to read (below) a portion of the letter that Pastor Andrei sent yesterday to our High School students and their parents. The day before he sent his letter, Andrei was with the students for their Sunday morning time of worship and teaching. In his letter, he wrote:
Dear HS Parents and Students,
First of all, I want to thank all of you who were in the High School room yesterday morning for the warm welcome you showed me. As I looked over the faces of each of you students, I was again reminded of how time flies, and I realized that most of you who are now in HSG were previously in the Thrive group that Samantha and I led "back in the day." (Seems like AGES ago!) :)
I also want to let you know that after several months of thoughtful discussions and meetings with Scott, our Trinity Elders have come to the decision that due to some significant theological differences between Scott and all of the Elders, it is time for a transition in regards to the leadership of our High School ministry. We are really saddened by this outcome, especially considering the many blessings that God has poured over our church through Scott and Jenny's ministry, and because of our love for them as a family. During this time of transition, we will continue trusting God to lead and bless our church and High School ministry, and we are looking forward to see what He has planned for our HSG moving forward.
In regards to the leadership of the High School ministry in the short-term, I want to let you know that Samantha and I, after much prayer and discussion with the Elders, have offered to step in and provide the oversight and leadership of this ministry for the next nine months to a year, or until the Lord provides someone else of His choosing to lead this ministry for the long-term. I will still continue my normal preaching duties in "big church" on Sunday mornings, but on the Sundays when I'm not preaching, I will be teaching at 10:30 in High School and will also be leading the Wednesday night mid-week meetings.
Personally, I am really excited that I get to be teaching God's Word to you again, and for the opportunity to be serving alongside a really great H.S. Staff! Please be praying for all of us involved in this process, and especially for the Drake family during this time of transition. We are trusting our faithful Lord to comfort and encourage all of our hearts and help us to honor Him in the days ahead.
At our HSG meeting this coming Wednesday night, the H.S. Staff and I will be sharing more about the plans for our HSG in the coming months, and I'm hoping all of you students and parents will please join us this Wednesday night in the Upper Room at 6:30 p.m. We will also take time to answer any questions you might have... I'm looking forward in faith to what the Lord has in store for all of us.
In Christ's grace, Andrei
In closing, we want to encourage you to join our Elders and Staff in praying daily that God will bless the Drake family and our congregation, especially our High School Staff, students and parents, as together we continue to trust our gracious God to lead and guide us in the days ahead.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
In our Savior's love and grace,
Shawn Anderson, Elder for Personnel
Pastor Chuck Shillito and Pastor Andrei Sava
For the Trinity Elders
