Farewell Rob & Bev
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 12 Jul 2009 in From Steve's Study ::
Today is a sad day. It is the last Sunday that Rob and Bev will be with us here at St Peters. After the camp this week, Rob leaves to take up his new position as Youth Worker at Barker College.
When I first arrived at St Peters (almost 6 years ago) I remember Rob as a very young, but enthusiastic youth leader. I distinctly remember seeing Rob up the front of the new SN@P service (which was being held in the hall downstairs), playing guitar and leading this small group of teenagers. There were only a handful of people at the service and not many more at the Friday night youth group which ran from years 7-12.
Things have come a long way since then. Now SN@P is a vibrant and well established service with about 30 young people; a second evening service has sprung up for those who have come through the youth system; and instead of one small group, we now have two youth groups (Hype & the Couch) impacting over 50 kids each week. On top of this, we have moved from having no “home-grown” leaders, to the stage where we are well on the way to being self-sufficient, with 7 out of our 10 leaders coming from our own ranks.
One of the things that has always impressed me about both Rob and Bev is the way they are both deeply committed to serving God and seeing His people grow to know Him better. They both have what Christians sometimes call a “servant heart” – they are both willing to go the extra mile in order to serve their Lord.
Though many will know Rob from his up-front co-ordination of the Youth Ministry, some will be unaware of Bev�s quiet encouragement and support of those of us who attend the 7pm service. She has always been strongly committed and a reliable and loving “behind the scenes” worker, who has taken care of many practical roles, as well as been an “encourager” to many.
On behalf of St Peters, I want to thank you both for all you’ve put into the life of the church – it will be a much poorer place for you leaving. We also thank God for the incredible growth in number and maturity of the youth ministry that has arisen as a result of Rob’s ministry among us.
In Paul’s words (Phil 1:4): “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Please be assured of our love, prayers and best wishes as you move on to the next stage of your life together. May God richly bless you both.
« Reading the Bible Looking for some words to talk to God?»
Commenting has expired or Comments are turned off for this article.
