End Of An Era
Yesterday when I heard about Pastor Dale’s transition as our Senior Pastor, I had a chance to take time to reflect. When Dale and the team of families stepped out in faith and started the church in 1978 who would have thought it would have grown into the far-reaching, impactful ministry that it has become today. Because he stepped out and followed the lead of the Lord, I have had the privilege of seeing my kids and wife serve and follow God together for the last 15 years of my life. Those have been really special, special years.
When we first came in October of 1994, I was a 29 and the father of a couple of newborns. Trying to balance the family situation I was in and working through a rough transition from my previous church, I found myself trying to hide at the church office, leaving my wife alone and isolated. I’m not proud of those days. I was just trying to survive for myself and retreating into thinking about my needs alone. Then Pastor Dale shared a message series on marriage. As he opened up about his marriage it really caught my attention. As he shared his failings and his victories I related to what he was sharing. Although I didn’t know him well at that point, I had heard from everyone I talked to that family was first to Dale and it should be for all of us. That lesson stuck in my life.
I will always point back to those hard times and that series in particular as a time when God rescued me and my family. I am so grateful that Pastor Dale listened to God’s heart and shared so authentically to our body, even if my family was the only one saved. It made a huge difference that has multiplied exponentially into mine and countless other family’s lives. For that we will always praise God and be thankful.
As Dale turns his attention to new opportunities for impact, I am assured that he will always be putting his family first as he reaches out to person after person with the love of Jesus. In a way, the end of his era as the Senior Pastor at Rolling Hills is the beginning of this next chapter in his life story of influence for Jesus. Thanks, Dale, for your investment into thousands of lives and families. The Lord used you to fill us with passion and vision and we will forever be full of gratitude and appreciation!
Pastor Mark
