A Dear Goodbye

Today, I said goodbye to an incredibly dear friend. I am awful at goodbye's, and today I think it is important for me to look back on a friendship that has meant a lot to me. As many of you know, Annette Fetzer is leaving the Wesley Foundation to follow the Lord's calling in Knoxville, Tennessee. I was a sophomore involved in the Wesley Foundation when I first met Annette. Throughout countless situations these last four years, I have had the priveledge of sharing the gospel and allowing God's movement with her. I cannot begin to express nor did I quite realize the impact she has had on my life until these last few days when I reflected back on our friendship. There is power when we reflect back on our lives because as I recount the moments in our friendship, God has used this friendship as a means of showing God's grace to me wherever I was at. Here are 10 powerful, fun, cute(sometimes) stories from the time I got to spend with Annette.

10.) from the first moment I stepped onto the leadership team at the Wesley, Annette always encouraged me to be "out of the box" with my ministry. This phrased has encouraged me constantly to be a minister, witness, and leader who relies on God's leading rather than the common lifestyles of pastors before me.

9.) Sometimes you just don't say anything. In africa, I had to gaurd the bathroom door for Annette because the door did not have a solid lock. It just wasn't Annette's day. Not only did she have explosive diahrea, the door seperating us had a large crack between the door and the floor allowing all sound to travel from the bathroom into the hallway. I flatly denied my ability to hear her for months!

8.) When we were in Malawi in 2007, Annette was leading a trip which was a team member. During one of the first nights of the trip, our team was having a time of worship together. Annette received a vision of the bible falling open in my hands, and the word of God being proclaimed. I was to be a minister of the good news on that trip. For years I had been called into ministry, but it was not until I received this vision where I fully stepped into the preaching gift which God had given me.

7.) Annette's thunder and lightning. Many of you have seen Annette's thunder and lightning flexing biceps. Let's just say thunder and lightning are no match for a braided, red-bearded man on a soccer field! Thanks Annette for letting me disprove the laws of physics, and even smiling as I did it.

6.) her counsel. God has blessed her with such an incredible amount of wisdom. Her ability to unpack my emotions in the moment and apply it through conversation towards my spiritual formation is simply life-giving.

5.)through working together, I have truly seen the beauty in the kingdom. For those of you that really know me, you know that I am a easy-going guy who loves to look at the big picture. for those of you that really know Annette, you know she is an incredible detail-oriented, administrative personality. Before I got to work with Annette, many times I resented people's personality's who would become so caught up in the small things that the big picture would often be missed. I learned sometimes the big picture wouldn't happen, if I didnt take the time to attend to the details. I saw how annette empowered and encouraged my personality even though it is distinctly different. Needless to say, this will forever change the way I handle a staff when I am in leadership positions in the future.

4.)Exorcism of demons....I do not want to get into a lengthy story here. In a beautiful moment in Malawi, I saw a demon cast to the foot of the cross. I saw the enemy defeated, and the Lord's provision, mercy, and unfailing love. I shared that moment with Annette, and now know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the gates of hell will not prevail against his church.

3.)Annette has been there for many of my sermons that I have given whether in the US of A or Africa. After every sermon I continually remember her affirmation of my calling. I don't remember it because she said it. I remember the affirmation because I know God used her her words as a deep sense of affirmation in my spirit. Looking back on some of the sermons I have given, I needed affirmation.

2.)Leading a trip to Rwanda with her this past summer. I could put about 10 meaningful experiences just from this trip alone. This was one of the hardest trips of my life happening during one of the hardest seasons of my life. We spent a month in a foriegn country doing a mission trip where we weren't always doing things. This trip I learned their was a huge difference in leading by action compared to being responsible for people and leading them. I had to make decisions constantly that people didn't like. I received flack for it, and as a huge people person, I crumbled under the stress. Annette repeatedly stepped up in my defense, encouraged my leadership, and helped me learn from my mistakes. She helped encourage me to be strong and take a stance on the things I needed to take a stance on. This experience of leading a mission trip was drasticly different than going on one. I am so thankful for Anette's leadership to help guide my leadership.

1.)Laying hands on two women's stomach's in Rwanda and learning both barren women now have been healed and are pregnant. The holy spirit is powerful and active. Our God truly is a healer. Annette encouraged the gift of healing that I have recieved.

Annette you have been a faithful servant, and a powerful minister of God's grace. I look forward to staying in touch and hearing all the ways God will provide in your life. I love you!