OK. the news is out and can be discussed now. After 30 years of Pastoral Ministry without a single break, Pastor Rodger is going to take one. I submitted my retirement effective Jan. 7, 2007. Since the day that Jen and I made that decision I have had a peace beyond comparison. It feels like the load of a universe has been removed from my shoulders. So what am I going to do now?
1. I am going to work to get our affairs in order so we can live on a substantial smaller income.
2. I am going to take a hike, from Georgia to Maine. 2174 Miles.
3. I am going to work on my health. Basically lose weight and decrease blood pressure.
4. I am going to finish one book that is about 75% finished. Work on another that is 25% started and begin one that is still just an idea and an outline.
5. Pray about what God has next for me.
Except for the hike, we have no immediate plans to move from Salt Lake City. Barring injury or illness, we will be on the trail from March to October. Wish us well.
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4 comments:
hey rodger it would be impossible to tell you how much you have impacted my life...i cant think of one Godly reason for you not to retire, but i can think of a 1,000 selfish reasons for you to stay...may God lead you in the next chapter of your life...see Joshua 1:9....thanks for your love and compasion...preston
Rodger, I know you will go where it is God leads you..Thank you for being a teacher to me and others so many years ago, and for continuing to to be faithful to God's calling. I will stay in touch and you do the same. We will pray for all that is coming your way. God Bless you my friend..Diana
Rodger: I am confident that you and Jennifer will continue to impact people even in "retirement"! Your ministry to me and my family over the years has been one of encouragement, wisdom, insightfulness, and stability. I wish you the best in your new adventure! -- Bill R.
Here is your potential next assignment if you choose to take it. . . Chaplin on Appalachian Trail.
Rob Lee
AT Servants is a relatively new ministry on the Appalachian Trail whose purpose is "Helping hikers connect the beauty of creation with the life-changing power of Christ". The ministry is based in Georgia and directed by Craig and Suzy Miles, who are Mission Service Corps (MSC) missionaries.
They are great people with a wonderful vision. Mike Riggins and I have met with them on a number of occasions and fully support what they are doing. They have personally hiked about half of the 2,175 mile Appalachian trail and have supervised other trail chaplains, so they know what they are doing. Their website is www.atservants.org
Wanted! Trail Chaplains for the Appalachian Trail. Spiritually mature and physically fit young men, women or couples willing and able to spend three to six months backpacking the Appalachian Trail. Craig Miles, director of the ministry, describes it this way,
"Are you a self-motivated, spiritually strong Christian who loves to backpack? Have you ever thought that you would like thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? Do you have a high pain tolerance? Maybe you graduated in December and not quite ready to jump into the work force. If so, prayerfully consider being a Trail Chaplain with Appalachian Trail Servants. Starting in March or early April, Trail Chaplains spend 3-6 months hiking towards Maine along with 1,500 other thru-hikers on the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail. By living with other hikers and experiencing joys and defeats alongside them, Trail Chaplains earn the right to share their faith with soul-searching thru-hikers. Check us out at www.atservants.org or http://www.atservants.org/trailchaplains.htm for more information."
For more information, contact:
Craig "Clay" and Suzy "Branch" Miles
Appalachian Trail Servants, Inc.
P.O. Box 2116
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-482-8537
info@atservants.org
www.atservants.org
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