When my brother and sister both kept talking about this new church they had found I was very intrigued. My brother had already gotten involved on the worship team and my sister, who had written off church in college, had started attending and even got involved in a small group. I was definitely excited to check this place out.
I made a weekend trip to visit them and on a frigid Sunday morning in January 2007, we braved the elements to attend a service. The church didn’t have a building of its own yet, so they met in a school on Clark Street in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Despite the frigid temperatures, the auditorium was packed with 20-and-30-somethings, young families and children. We were late getting there so the ushers took us to the only free seats in the place… on the front row. The energy in the room was electric. That particular Sunday each of the church’s elders took turns teaching, sharing the vision of the church. As I sat there, heard the vision, and imagined with them at what was possible, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of.
The following day I went on their website, and to be honest, I was quite surprised. It was a great website but it didn’t quite match what I had experienced in person the day before. Armed with some courage believing that I could help them out, I drafted an email and threw together and a resume and portfolio and clicked “Send.”
A few phone calls and three months later, I began an incredible, nearly four-year journey, of being the Director of Communications at Park Community Church. On my first day I blogged, ” I know I’m jumping into something that is going to take me on the ride of my life.” Those words could not have been more true.
I’ve spent most of this week going through all of my files, reflecting and remembering what has been an incredible journey serving on staff at Park. Looking back over my time here the word that keeps coming to mind is grateful. I am so incredibly thankful and grateful for this experience, and more than humbled by the opportunity and gift God gave me in leading here.
A lot has changed at Park.
When I started on staff we met at Francis Parker School with about 800 people in average weekly attendance. Our building was just a shell of an old warehouse in the changing Cabrini-Green neighborhood. Our staff had about 18 people. We rented office space in Old Town above a Starbucks and a Thai restaurant and later moved to the 21st floor of the John Hancock Center before moving into our building in 2008.
Today, well over 2,500 people attend Park in three locations in neighborhoods across the city. Our staff is over 30 people and our building, which opened in 2008, has not only served our church but has become a fixture in our local neighborhood, hosting various events and outreaches for our community. Park is reaching new people every day and is living out its vision to be a biblical community where the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms lives, renews the city, and impacts the world.
In my time serving at Park I’ve caused a bit of a ruckus… I helped rebrand the church, launched a new website [and 2 iterations since!], transitioned to an almost paperless communications strategy including killing the weekly bulletin, leveraged texting and social media to engage with our congregation, and helped to shape Park into what it is today.
Over the past few years there have been so many highlights and things I could share but I have to be honest… the highlight of my time at Park wasn’t so much the work I did or was a part of, but what God did in my own heart and life through this season. I feel like I came here bright-eyed and still wet behind the ears, and in my time here have grown up, matured, found my voice, and most importantly, found myself and God’s calling for my life. God has worked in my life in some deeply significant ways and revealed Himself and His strength through my weakness.
I’ve learned how to navigate and lead a somewhat normal existence in the chaos of city life [and absolutely LOVE it!], have found an incredible community of friends who are like family, and learned so much about God and myself in the process. I’ve had some of the most amazing opportunities, been a part of some incredible experiences, and have met people who I know will be friends for life. It hasn’t always been easy and there have definitely been challenges, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
I leave Park today with nothing but respect and admiration for the leadership and thankfulness for the opportunity to serve here. When I look back and see how God brought me here and what I’ve been able to do while I’ve been on staff, I’m just in awe of His faithfulness…. it’s been through Him, by His grace and for His glory.
To remember my first Sunday attending Park, hearing the vision and imagining what was possible, and to see where we are today is just a remarkable thing. To have been a small part of a significant chapter in the life of the church is something that I consider an immense honor and made for some of the most exciting and fulfilling seasons of ministry I’ve been a part of to date.
I am so excited for what God has already done at Park and know that even greater things are yet to come. The vision of and the heart of Park’s leadership will continue to see the church grow in size and influence, but most importantly, see more people find life transformation through the Gospel. I am so expectant to see what God will do!
I’m thrilled that in my new role I’ll continue to be able to work with the Church on a larger scale and recognize that none of this would have been possible without my time and work at Park. I cannot thank the team at Park enough for their support, encouragement, trust, grace when there were typos, and their willingness to take a risk and try new things. My experience here has built a platform for me to share and influence others and will now be a gift to other churches.
To Jackson, Donna, Steve, Jonthan, John, JR, Ty, Kensen, Joe, Scott, Bill, Kevin, Zach, Emily, Meghan, Laurel, Alicia, Sharon, Sandy, Alisha, Sheri, Laura, Mabrie, Josh, Jen, Bret, Lisa, Christine, Megan, Bob, Lindsey, Mario, Lyndsay, Annika, Rachael, Terry, Debra, Andrea, Whitney, Matt, Tim, Curtis, Andrew, Brian, Aaron, Jason, Mary, Becky, Joseph, Jim, Laura, John [and anyone else I forgot!]… it’s been a privilege to serve with you at Park. You are all some of the most remarkable people I know and it’s been an honor to be on this exciting adventure with you. I’m thankful for all of you and for the impact your life has made on mine.
To Josh Burns, who is taking my spot at Park… Dude, I am so excited for you! The first time I met you I had this sneaky suspicion you’d have my job one day and who knew it would come so fast. It’s been a blast working with you and I am so thankful for your friendship and passion for the Church… I know you are going to do great things Park and am excited to follow your journey.
To all of you who have followed along through this blog, thank you! I so appreciate each one of you and am so thankful for the work you are all doing in your own churches… keep up the great work!
As one chapter closes and a new one begins, I’m grateful for what God has already done and expectant for what’s in store… for me and for Park!
I thought it would only be fitting to close this post with this song… Love you guys!
[BTW, this song is a complete joke... ]
