“What’s it like, living in a country that isn’t your own?” That was the question I was asked as our pastoral team began studying a new book called Faith for Exiles. If you didn’t know, I grew up in a “green and pleasant land,” as the old hymn goes, namely, England. For more than a […]
Teaching Trust Takes Time
The Exodus story about manna serves as a great comfort at first glance – daily provision of bread; no hunting for it, no waiting, no wondering, just there, every day. Sure, it became bland and repetitious, but at least you could count on it. How good of God to deliver it to people wandering the […]
Strong start, strong finish
Will you indulge me as I take one last backward glance at 2021? I know—many of you would rather leave that year firmly in the rearview mirror. But 2021 brought a lot of blessings to Chapel Hill and the last two weeks felt like God’s huge exclamation mark on those blessings! Let’s review: • GLOW, […]
God provides… again!
Who would have thought that two days before Christmas Eve that it was even possible for twelve pastors, school administrators, and ministry leaders to reply to an urgent email? And yet, that’s exactly what happened. Subject Line: SOS! Response: (universally) We’ll see if we can help! Every single person was on vacation and/or preparing for Christmas. I was overwhelmed […]
A fresh start
Ordinarily, I might be inclined to say as I begin this blog, “I don’t know about you….” But in this case, I think I DO know about you when I say, “Aren’t you ready to launch into a New Year with fresh beginnings and the past couple years firmly in our rear-view mirror?” I’m excited […]
Christmas greetings
Merry Christmas! I hope you were able to attend one of our five Christmas Eve services over the past couple of days and I pray you’re able to enjoy today as well. It’s one of the most important birthdays we Christians celebrate! Because your day is likely filled with all the things that make Christmas […]
Christmas Is Coming!
We did a whirlwind tour of New York City last week. The six-month cohort we’re part of met there (who gets a group of pastors together the week before Christmas?!). Well, they promised Christmas magic, and New York City delivered. I don’t just mean Rockefeller Center or the Disneyland-style presentation on Saks 5th Ave. The […]
Peace on earth
I have led 10 pilgrimages to the Holy Land. As you might imagine, much of that ancient land remains unchanged from trip to trip. After all, the place has existed for millennia; what difference could a few years make? But there IS one place that is very different from when I first visited in 1984. […]
Chapel Hill Port Orchard: big announcement!
We’re delighted to share the news that Pastor Larry will now fully dedicate his ministry work to Port Orchard! The timing reflects our shared call to serve Jesus together in Kitsap County and the local congregation’s readiness to receive additional ministry staff support. You’re accustomed to seeing Larry on Sundays and team nights, but you […]
The time is now
A message from Pastor Larry: Three years ago, Megan and I went to a church-planting assessment in Indianapolis. Being assessed as a church-planter is no joke; the process is meant to expose potential planters to stressful and challenging scenarios and experiences and see how they bear up under it, all under the watchful gaze of […]