Four years ago, I was hired as the White Bear Lake Pastor of Student Ministries. Soon after, I became the Middle School Teaching Pastor and eventually the Director of Student Ministries at Eagle Brook Church. Each shift was a direct result of the work God was doing to grow and expand and reach students for Christ beyond our wildest imaginations. These four years have been some of the most blessed and sweetest seasons of ministry I’ve ever experienced. The team of pastors. The volunteer leaders and pastors. The students. The retreats, Takeover, Christmas Parties, Spring A Palooza and more. In these four years, I’ve been able to witness over 1100 students make a first time decision to follow Jesus and stand by as God nearly tripled our average attendance. It’s been unbelievable.
While these last 4 years have been humbling and incredible, I am even more thrilled about what is next in this new season. I am going to be the Campus Pastor at our Lino Lakes campus while occasionally preaching on the weekend. That means I will no longer be serving as the Director of Student Ministries, but I will still be speaking a few times in Student Ministries this year and involved in a new way as the campus pastor! (By the way, just so we’re clear and for those who know EBC, Jason Strand is moving into a full-time teaching pastor position at EBC. Jason and I will continue to work closely together in many ways).
As I make this job change, here are three things I know:
1. From Isaiah 43:19 – “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” This is new for me. It’s new for this campus. It’s new for our church. But God is at the forefront leading the way, creating the pathways, finding the rivers. Discovery and newness can be nerve-wracking, but it can also be the adventure of a lifetime. I feel this adventure brewing in my gut and my soul – new dreams, new visions, new pathways are stirring inside of me, and I’m excited to be a part of it as it all unfolds.
2. I am confident in the future of student ministries at Eagle Brook Church. Student Ministries has never been about one person except for the One who gives us life – Jesus. I am confident Jesus will continue the good work he has begun in each and every student, parent, and volunteer who has a hand in making student ministries at EBC one of the best in the country. And frankly, I’m still excited I get to be a part of it, just in a new way.
3. Our mission at EBC is to reach people for Christ. And I’m all in. I don’t have all the answers, I’m a work in progress, and I’m certain there are things I have no idea how to address, but I’m all in to this mission. As the campus pastor of Lino Lakes and with the opportunities I get to teach, I will do whatever it takes to advance the greatest mission in this life. The church is the hope of the world, and when operating well, I believe that truth to the core of my being. And best of all, I get to work with some of the greatest pastors around. It’s always been a team effort, and we have some amazing teams at EBC working together to advance this mission.
As I make this transition, I would covet your prayers. Change is exciting, but never easy.
Thank you for everyone who has been such a great support and love to me and my family! We love you, we love this church, and we love Jesus.
I can’t wait to see the “something new” that God has in mind.
See ya around!
John Alexander
PS. I took a 6 month hiatus from writing, but I’m ready to dive back in. Make sure to check back occasionally for blog posts!
At The Garage 