Changes for the Skillen Family

Hello Everybody

Wanted to send you a quick update about some things that are moving and shaking in our lives.

In short, I’ve been extended a call to Faith Community Church in Wichita, KS (17th and Gow area of Indian Hills) as their new Lead Pastor. I will preach for their congregation on 7/22 and members will vote afterwards (no pressure, right?). As things go according to plan, I will begin there in a full-time manner on 8/1. From what I can tell, Faith is an amazing congregation and I am eager to join their story.

This means I have resigned from faculty at Sterling College. I’ve enjoyed my time there, re-joining my alma mater for a season. It is a great place, and is getting better from my vantage point. I will teach two classes as an Adjunct on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the Fall. I hope that I can be their best shameless self-promoter this side of “The Dairy Dump.”

Ginger and I are excited about this new season and adventure. I am filled with excitement for this new role as lead pastor. We appreciate your prayers as we say goodbye to Sterling and “how d’ya do?” to Faith Community Church.

In other news…

I’m looking forward to the outside chance of buying stock in the Manchester United Football Club when they go public; remember that October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Wink, wink… nudge, nudge.

I’m still on track to finish my D.Min dissertation. I hope to finish early, in the Fall semester. If I can not finish by then, I have made great advances to finish #ontime in the Spring. My title for the paper, at the moment, is “Funny Uncles and Sons of Hell: Gospelling in a Persistent Postmodern World.” I’ve learned from recent history, if you put “Hell” in your title, it increases the popularity potential, ha.

Avery is as funny as ever. I’m contemplating starting a Twitter account called, “Stuff Avery Says” because she is hilarious.

Ezra is getting big and looks as handsome as his mom’s husband.

Ginger is as awesome and lovely as ever. I’m beyond blessed to have her as my wife and best friend.

Thanks for reading, friends. See ya soon.