It's go time...

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We'll have other things to post in the future surrounding this news, but in case anybody who reads this blog is NOT yet in the loop, here you go!

(from an email Chad sent out on August 15th)

Friends and family, it is with great joy and excitement that I write to you today to tell you that after several years of seeking God's next step in ministry for us, we finally have an answer!!  As of today, I am the new pastor of Alliance Christian Fellowship (ACF), a student church at Penn State affiliated with the State College Alliance Church.  Especially in a difficult and confusing season in the life of our beloved university, we are thrilled for this opportunity to minister in partnership with the great staff at State College Alliance and alongside some amazing student leaders to share the good news of Jesus on a campus where it is so sorely needed.  Mixed with our enthusiasm and readiness to get started is an equal helping of angst and even fear, as we enter a ministry context that is largely unfamiliar to us since we will be serving with and among a population with whom we've had limited ministry experience over recent years.  And, on top of that, we'll be leaving our Calvary family, which has been our church home for 12+ years, the vast majority of our adult lives.  We're filled with much joy that we'll be able to remain in this community which we love so deeply and glad to be able to continue to connect with our Calvary friends and all of our initial points of connection with the Alliance Church have been comfortable and easy for us, but that does not change the simple fact that we will deeply miss Calvary.

So, we enter this new assignment with humility and expectation that the Lord would be at work far beyond our abilities and competencies.  We would welcome your prayers for this transitional time, that God would prepare our hearts and minds for the tremendous challenge that lies ahead.  With students arriving in less than two weeks, we'll need to hit the ground running.  We can't wait to see what God intends to do in us, through us, and around us in this exciting new season of ministry with ACF...

Blessings,
Chad O. (for Kate, Julia, and Eliza)
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