Journey Friends,

My family moved from the Traverse City area two years ago to accept an internship at The Journey. We made a leap of faith and raised our entire income to be part of what God is doing in and through all the amazing people at the Journey’s North on M-120 site. During our two years at the Journey, we have learned so much; about helping people begin and grow in their relationship with Jesus, about the gifts and abilities that God has given us for ministry, and about what it looks like to follow Jesus ourselves.

My internship was officially over in November. As that marker approached, we’ve been trying to figure out what God had in mind for us. Early on, in November, I was invited to consider staying on at the Journey as part of the pastoral staff. We love the Journey, and have loved the chance to play a part in many of the amazing stories God is writing here. We genuinely love each of the people we have been blessed to journey with. It would be very easy to stay. But…

As we explored several options, we were invited to visit a tiny church in Springfield, IL where much of Sue’s family lives. They were trying to figure out how to become a safe place for their friends and neighbors to explore a relationship with Jesus, and needed a pastor. The combination of being able to help them on their mission and the chance to help Sue’s family with her father’s care became more and more what we feel like God is asking us to do. We are really excited, and very sad, at the same time… to transition in mid-January to a new phase of ministry as a family. We’re praying that your relationships with Jesus and each other continue to grow. Please pray for us as we trust God with the next chapter of our story.

With genuine affection,

Brent Swensen