Last Year in Review
This last year was probably one of the most eventful years in my life.
The Decision
Moving on from Concordia University Wisconsin was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever faced. Kim and I had been exploring the idea for a few months and we prayerfully considered the implications of staying or leaving.
I loved the people I worked with and fully supported the mission of the organization and department. I saw the Central Florida Cross Network as a place to grow further and to implement the great practices that Concordia University Wisconsin had equipped me with. When I got the call, I immediately took a walk with my supervisor and close friend, Matt Stenson. We agreed that the opportunity would be valuable. Two weeks and a few family and work going away parties later, I was on my way to Florida.
The Move
My last day was on September 12th, 2014 and my first day was set for September 15th. Kim had to stay in Wisconsin until early November to finish her first student teaching placement.
I left Grafton at 2:00am on September 13th, 2014. 22 hours driving, 1263 miles, 6 15-minute stops and $100 in gas later I arrived at my brother-in-law’s house in Mount Dora Florida.
I learned Kim could come to Florida for her second student teaching placement in Tennessee.
Tire of van exploded in front of my car at Georgia border, torrential rain storm near Florida border. Last two hours were difficult to stay awake.
I had new license, tags, insurance and apartment in a little over a week of moving. A few weeks later, I found that I was in need of new tires.
The Position
Communications Director is still a job title I’m figuring out to this day. At the Central Florida Cross Network, I serve 5 churches and a school system, advising best practices and ensuring proper communications systems are in place. I primarily work out of the Holy Cross Lake Mary campus in Lake Mary, FL but I will every once and awhile work out of Downtown Credo, a coffee shop with affiliations to our church network.
No day is really ever the same here. With the variety of organizations and partner non-profits that we’re connected to, it’s hard to be idle for too long. I love that we’re one big tight-knit family, and I believe this is how church was meant to be. We share the same mission and primary focus, but each of our organizations is unique and “indigenous” to the culture that they serve. With all this diversity, unity is a beautiful thing.
Each church has a communications point-person who typically handles the day-to-day activity and social media accounts for the organization. I make sure that that person is equipped with the right technology and business practices to execute their responsibilities effectively.
I work with a highly talented graphic artist to develop graphics across the network. I take the lead of web systems for the organization and provide consulting for our Director of Operations on larger systems.
The Campaign
Plant & Build is a cross-network 3 year capital campaign with the goal of raising $3.2 Million to plant 3 new churches, build our existing ministries and build our communities. This campaign is still in progress. Each church and school is essentially running its own micro-campaign with it’s own sub-set of goals. Our primary goal is to raise $1 Million to support the 3 new church plants. A number of the churches are choosing to provide micro-business loans to area non-profits and new startups.
The Culture
Orlando’s been good to Kim and I. It took awhile for us to find the pockets of culture, art and community outside the Central Florida Cross Network.
Here are a few photos that celebrate the culture we experienced this past year.
Professional Development
Besides for moving to Florida and taking up a new career, I also began reading and listening too a large number of (audio)books and podcasts. Below are the books I’ve read in the past year.
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