I hate goodbyes, and soon I am going to have to say goodbye to a dear friend and ministry partner. Our Youth Minister, Chad Cronin, is leaving SLCC. Chad has accepted a position as a Community Life Pastor at 2|42 Community Church in Brighton, Michigan and will be leaving here sometime in the next sixty days.
Chad and Jenny came to us in 2008 and have had an immeasurable impact on our student ministry. During his time here, dozens of students have come to faith in Christ and tens of dozens have written new chapters in their faith stories. Chad’s leadership, passion and energy will be missed! He and Jenny will always have a special place in our hearts and will always be a part of our SLCC family.
Our staff and elder team will be meeting over the course of the next couple of weeks to determine what happens next. With every transition there is an opportunity to revisit where we are and where we want to go. To that end, we will be determining how best to allocate the ministry resources available to us as we go forward in determining our staffing needs. Of this we are certain: our staff and elders are committed to reaching the next generation with the hope of Jesus Christ and will continue to pursue effectiveness and excellence in student ministry.
Along the way we will do our very best to communicate where we are at in the process of filling the vacancy resulting from Chad’s departure.
Our mission as a church is to “help people write the next chapter of their faith stories.” I believe that is what Chad and Jenny are doing – writing a new chapter. Sometimes it hurts when our stories diverge for a season, but there is joy in knowing that a reunion lies at the end of this journey where “goodbyes” will be no more. In the meantime, please join me in wishing Chad, Jenny, Jonah and Charlie all the very best as they begin their new chapter.
Frank E. Weller