Devotion

'Thanks Pastor Greg'

We’re thankful for the way Pastor Greg has given a beautiful sense of belonging, joy and hope over the past eight years for everyone that has encountered our community. 

We’ve seen it in the fruit of his ministry, in ways such as the opening of the cafe, the welcoming play space, the growth of playgroup, junior youth, youth and young adults groups, in the fete as a community outreach, in the hospitality for families and community members in the cafe and in our school Chapel services, Step Up to Communion sessions and classroom visits. In the practicalities of the warm conversations, and strong relationships and in the staff devotions and retreats. In growing the school and church partnership, in reaching out to the community, and the way our congregation or fellowship have continued to grow together and be bound together as a harmonious community.

We have greatly appreciated Greg’s passion for our school, our students, staff and families and his exemplary service on our school board. He is greatly loved and will be sorely missed by all of us, but of course goes with our prayers and best wishes to answer God’s clear call for his service and ministry.

We’re thankful to Greg for his leadership, witness, insight and intelligent nature, boundless enthusiasm, care, integrity, sense of humour, friendship and Christian witness.

We’ve loved having his wife Connie, his children and Annie and Georgia, his son in law Patrick and grandchildren Teddy and Olivia as part of our church family, and seeing Teddy and Olivia around the school. Teddy pretty much became our school mascot and has been a joyful presence at sports days, staff devotions, class carers meetings, playgroup, morning teas and the list goes on! Ministry is a team effort and we appreciate the sacrifice that Greg's family have made in support of his service and what they've all brought to us and added to us as a community.

It is hard to process that Greg is moving to serve in Queensland. It is easy to feel that perhaps there was more to do here, more to achieve together. Of course, there is a sense of loss of a valued brother in Christ. Yet at the same time, there is an overwhelming sense of joy and Greg’s faithless, and Godly prayer and discernment of his call. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

We appreciate the unique skill set that God has blessed Greg with, from his experiences serving with our school  and also previously with Endeavour College. He will be an amazing fit for and a great blessing to the community at Faith Lutheran College Redlands.

Thank you Greg, for inviting people in to follow Jesus and helping us to strengthen one another so we can keep following Jesus together. We can take comfort in knowing your service here in building that which is already built by God, we know it will last. It has Christ as the cornerstone (Eph 2:20).

We will continue to pray for your fruitful ministry at Faith Lutheran,  inviting people to learn about Jesus, and knowing that many will because you are building a building that God has already built. We pray for you as you serve with the faithful there to encourage one another, pray together, and teach the Word.

Thank you for taking the chance as you prayerfully considered the call to Queensland: ‘What is this lifetime for?’ and that you have made yours for rejoicing in being God’s people and striving to build God’s people. 

We pray for you and Connie, Annie, Patrick, Georgia, Teddy and Olivia as you go out to build his people, with him, for a lifetime.

And we pray that you are immediately welcomed with open arms and blessed with the sense of coming home at Faith Lutheran College. 

Will Wallace

Principal