to say thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly as we have transitioned out of the Shell RD property. This transition was completed today, and I am so grateful for all that was done.
There is no way I could remember everyone who has helped. It has been an amazing case study in highly motivated people accomplishing an insurmountable task in a very short period of time. Thanks to you all.
There are a few folks that I want to specifically mention:
1. Jim Ballentine, Lou Sarratt and Tom Varella: Don't let these guys fool you. They worked circles around people 1/3 their age, and did it with the best attitudes and commitment. These gentlemen worked so hard, with nary a complaint. Thank you.
2. Stacy Lowe: At the end of the day today, some of us got together and decided that Stacy deserves the gold medal for The Big Move. This lady had invested SO many hours of tireless and mundane work, and did it with pride and incredible organization. Thank you.
3. Kelly and Daniel Jones: Natural leadership is rare... these two have it in abundance. They had worked side by side me and (my) Kelly through this entire adventure, and we have LAUGHED the whole time. Thank you.
4. Stephanie Russell and Christina Kelly: These ladies took several weekdays off to help, especially with organizing our offices. Great job! Thank you.
5. Our staff. verticalCHURCH is incredibly fortunate to have an entirely dedicated and committed staff who love Christ and this church... Pastor Josh and Hope Butcher, Tara Joyner, Angi Baker, Julie Gaumont, Travis Morrison and Betty Clower. No one will EVER know all of the details we have witnessed, but your commitment is not unnoticed, and we would be nowhere without you. I am honored to serve alongside you. Thank you.
6. Our Pastor. The things that Dr. Jim has seen and experienced in this journey would have crippled lesser men. He is truly a servant of God who has stepped out in faith to lead us. His passion for Christ, integrity and commitment inspires us all. Even with Lynette out of town to care for her mother, he has remained fully engaged and supportive as he has lead us throughout this process. He could have abandoned us long ago. I have never worked for a man like this, and I hope to be half the leader he is one day. Thank you.
7. Kelly Owens. I am the luckiest man alive. Kelly has stepped up in this process in ways I never expected, and none of us deserve. She has kept us organized (and kept me sane) through it all, and has worked more hours than almost everyone. I love you, wifey. Thank you.
I know there are many more, and as we go along, I will mention them. We have sorted thousands of markers and crayons, and I think Mrs. Betty's fingers are permanently colored. Travis has loaded and re-loaded the dumpster dozens of times. We have all laughed so much. We have rejoiced in the journey that us ahead of us. I have never experienced anything like it. We have been the church... and now it is DONE and we are FREE!
There are dozens more who helped. Thank you. Your efforts have gone a long way to enabling us to re-focus our efforts to the cause of Christ. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to serve with you and to serve this church.
WE ARE... verticalCHURCH!!!
verticalCHURCH, where all things point to Christ...
I remain excited for what is next...
Pastor Brian
