A Love Letter to Oak Haven on our Anniversary
May 11, 2023
Well Church, an important date came and went this past week. And no, Pastor Ryan, I’m not talking about Star Wars Day. May 4th is the anniversary of my family’s first moments in Minnesota to begin my candidating week. Four days later you voted to confirm me as your Pastor of Worship and Outreach and the rest, as they say, is history.
I’m reminded of Romans 12:5: “So in Christ, though many, form one body and each member belongs to all the others.” Belongs to all the others. Oak Haven, you belong to me and I belong to you. These guys, Pastor Andy, Pastor Ryan and Pastor Lee, are now my comrades-in-arms, my close friends, my co-laborers in Christ, my brothers. Several of you became our Minnesota moms and dads, the youth group is now Solveig and Linc’s community, and their parents became our circle of friends. Overnight, Oak Haven became our new family. Though I have to admit it felt a little like we were stepping into an arranged marriage. Even though both myself and Oak Haven had taken countless ministry and personality assessments, given extensive interviews, penned numerous statements on philosophy and ecclesiology, and been carefully researched and vetted, I recognized the intimacy and intensity of the committed relationship I was stepping into. And I can guess you all must have felt a little like that too, inviting me to lead your worship experience, shape our church’s outward facing persona, and cultivate our outreach relationships. These are no small things you have allowed me to lead, they’re sacred spaces, holy ground. And yet, I had great trust in the process and God’s sovereignty, it was God who had arranged this relationship and I have found Him faithful in this year to help that relationship blossom. “Lord, you are my God, I will praise Your name for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1
This week has been a little cathartic for me because as I’ve been reflecting on these things, I’ve simultaneously been preparing for my first Oak Haven annual meeting. Part of my role this year is to prepare a ministry report and create a highlight video of the year. That’s convenient timing, since the last year has literally summed up my entire tenure at Oak Haven so far. Looking back over things like Worship Around the Campfire, Grand Opening, Soup & Bread Thanksgiving, Christmas At Home, Good Friday worship stations, and the Easter choir, I hear the words of Gwen Johnson in my head: God is so good. Yes! God isso good! What a beautiful, vibrant, wonderful faith collective He’s brought the Strickland family into, and I can only hope that I can continue to serve you with strength and divine guidance.
We’re all in, wholeheartedly here to stay, head over heels loving being in community with you and serving God alongside you. We love you, Oak Haven.
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