Welcome, Pastor Nick!

Dear Church Family,

I have lived and parented for the last 15 years with a piece of parenting advice ringing in my ears.  About 15 years ago I asked a pastor friend of mine how he had been so successful at raising 3 daughters who loved Jesus. His answer was simple and profound.  He said, “If Jesus is real to you, He will be real to your children.”  

This last week was a great week in the life of The Well.  Last Monday, Nick Balsiger officially began his employment as Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Student Ministries.  Nick has been a good friend of mine since he began as a student at HU four years ago. At that time he began to volunteer at The Well in both Youth and Worship Ministries.  I know that many of you already know him as well.

What has drawn me to Nick as a young leader is that Jesus is very real to him. In the same way that I have tried to create a home where Jesus is real to Molly and me, I know that Nick will be the kind of godly role model and spiritual mentor that will create a discipleship environment that is unique to The Well. He will also engage our students in matters of faith and how those things affect our lives.  Even if you do not have kids that are in 6th-12th grade, please pray for, encourage, and support Nick in any way that you can.  

This opportunity also presents some other great opportunities for us all to join in the discipleship process.  We need to keep in mind that the spiritual care of our students is a responsibility for each of us and not something that we pass off to Nick and his volunteers.  Discipleship starts in the home with the conversations we have, the entertainment we enjoy, the choices we make, and the mercy and grace that we model.  If Jesus is real to all of us, he’ll be real to our kids!  Our kids will follow us as we follow Jesus. 
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I also know that there are many adults in this church that would be incredible youth volunteers.  For years I have witnessed many of you support our youth as mentors and spiritual advisors.  Please be praying about this, and be willing to consider becoming a volunteer if Nick approaches you.  The joy and satisfaction of seeing our students grow into young men and women of God does not have to be reserved for our college kids!

Please welcome Nick in his role as a pastor and staff member of the The Well. 
-Pastor Josh

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