A Journey of Faith: Reflecting on the Past Two Years

It's been over two years, and in this time of reflection and consideration, I thought it best to remember why I stepped into a dream that seemed out of reach for years in this season.

Over a decade ago, I walked with a dear friend around the parking lot of the hospice where we worked. I described how I long to sit with people in a different context. At that time and for many years to follow, I sat with people facing the end of life, profound suffering, and death. By then, I was twelve years into this work, and it would be another twelve years before I stepped into the details described to my friend.

The pre-steps started with two years of discernment with a spiritual director, during which my kicking the goads and my heart's longing clashed. It was beautifully hard, and stepping away from a career was thrillingly scary. My first step off the ledge was an unexpectedly hard four-month sabbatical, which was the precursor to starting Pastoral Care 4U.

With the ebb and flow of fear and hope, I began stepping out in faith with others at the crossroads of life and their faith. As I started, I hoped to create a refuge, a solace for people to process with one another in the communion of Christ freely.

In this space of discernment for their lives, the unraveling of stories past and hopes for their future to sense the Lord's presence in their lives - His voice, His leading, and I present with them. There is no formula here, no prescriptions of hoops to jump through, but rather an invite(s) to discover new vistas for their lives, fresh hope for those things outside their reach, healing of pain from their past, and dreams fulfilled.

Can Christ do this? I have experienced Him firsthand, not only in my life but also in my journey with others as a chaplain for twenty-four years, plus so many years before. Our faith is genuine, meaning real life, with real Christ. The One we have placed our faith in is more than we can imagine, personally and universally. Can this be true?

These past two years, I have witnessed beautiful moments of seeing deep pain healed and new hope for the futures of others. I have heard the words of others describing how they are experiencing the Lord personally, and some are even shocked by the clarity—some visits are one-time visits, while others have been weekly or bi-weekly for more than a year. Being a part of God's work in others is a profound honor. In some ways, it reminds me of the ladies taking care of the body of Christ after His crucifixion. I desire to care for Christ's body to grow with them into the fullness He describes throughout scripture. Explore more at pastoralcare4u.com

Over the past two years, I have partnered with a lifelong friend and others to create Fe Ministry (reforging men). We discover a need for a space to care for men who have been sexually traumatized as boys. See, this is my story. I was molested for seven years as a boy. I have experienced profound healing and understood the profound negative impact I have carried most of my life as a son, sibling, man, husband, father, and minister. This healing space with Christ and other men has impacted many in our first year. Interested? Check out here at: fe-ministry.com

I am amazed at what has unfolded in my journey and the steps that I/we (Jeanne) have taken to arrive in the space we find ourselves in. The sense of fullness is present with our eyes ahead of what is yet to come. I want to thank all those who believed enough to speak hard truths at times, give deep encouragement, and offer countless prayers for us. Thank you to all who entrusted your story to me to sit, to share vulnerability, and to refer me to those around you. It has been beautifully hard, and the beauty has captured me.

Peace to you, my friends and family.

Rob