Good-bye Letter

I spent all day cleaning out my office, clearing up some last minute expenses and turning in my laptop. In the process the reality of the end of my ministry here has slowly begun to sunk in.

I've also heard from a number of people who were not at church on Sunday and have heard "through the grape-vine" about our leaving Northwest. I must say that I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that we have received.

So for those who missed my memorable good-bye speech at church (sshhhh.... aawwwww... grrrrr...), here is a copy of the letter that I sent out last week to the young adults in my ministry.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Dear Seven27 Family,

This summer is a season of new beginnings for the Burkle family. As you may have heard, we are expecting our first girl (to say Christine is excited is the understatement of the year). So around November 12, 2007 we are expecting and praying for the healthy birth of Arley Christine Burkle. Yay!

New beginnings are often both exciting and scary… that is where faith comes in. There is lyric in the song “Closing Time” by the band Semisonic which says… “every new beginning comes with some other beginning’s end.” And in line with that, I am writing to share with you that our time on staff with Northwest Bible Church is coming to a close, and God is slowly revealing where he wants us to be.

In fact, our last Sunday on staff at Northwest is this Sunday, July 22. It might seem quick or sudden to you, but let me assure you that this is a journey that God has been guiding both us and the leaders of Northwest through for a while.

I want you to know that it is not just one thing that has sprung up… but that God has worked in a multitude of ways to make it clear to us and to the leadership of Northwest that now is the best time for this decision. In this process we have seen how God has been faithful to us and to Northwest and that in this decision we expect him to do great things in each of our lives.

We do not yet know what we will be doing or where we will be heading, but we are comforted by God’s presence and the graciousness of the leadership at Northwest to help us during this time of transition. We feel an amazing sense of peace that this is exactly what God wants for us and that this is best for Northwest and our family.

Finally, I want to thank you…. our extended family here at Northwest… for making our lives richer and fuller during these past three years. The memories we have with you and the ways in which you have loved and supported us will impact us forever.

I would have rather shared this with you in person, but this was just not possible. We will share this news with the rest of the church this Sunday… but wanted you to be the first to hear what God is doing in our lives.

Please feel free to call us or stop by anytime. We do have a Seven27 Open House scheduled at Bob Hart’s place on Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30pm so that we can share one last time together.

We have found that the Lord has quieted our fears and rested our troubled hearts during this time of God ordained transition. May this same God give you comfort as you face the transitions of your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

We will miss you dearly,

Clay, Christine, Caden, Griffin and Arley Burkle