Announcements & Notices For Covenant of Grace Ministry and Fellowship.

July 2018

Times Are Changing At CGMF.

I know, Lord, that our lives 
are not our own, 
that we’re not able to direct our paths.
Jeremiah 10:23 CEB

As the Prophet has written, it is not we who direct the paths of men but God. Our ministry here at CGMF, my life, your life, it is seemingly in our hand, but ultimately is in the hands of the Lord. His direction is of the primary importance, and His changes are for our benefit. Whether we are comfortable with those changes or not. We are facing such changes at CGMF after so many years, by the departure of some of our esteemed leadership for various reasons. Now the changes coming are natural ones, and are good in many ways, but will be uncomfortable for us in others. I as well the other Shepherd Leaders must be praying and looking for those who can stand in the gap, and be used to take up the mantle of those who have faithfully served for so many years.

We have three wonderful couples and one extraordinary young man who will be leaving our ministry soon. First, we have Skip and Mary our Spiritual Coordinators who basically are the ones who take care of daily ministry. Who have been visiting, leading and assisting this ministry for 8 years. They have for the past 5 years basically been " pastoring " in my stead as I have been more of a director and teacher of the ministry. They have traveled back and forth from North Platte to Omaha meeting, guiding and assisting all our CGMF Shepherd Leaders and Groups so wonderfully, They will be missed terribly. However, retirement calls and a move to warmer climates. I want to personally thank Skip and Mary for making my life so blest, and the ministry a joy in so many ways. You guys will be sorely missed.

Unfortunately, we will be losing Jeff Hughes and his dear wife as well. They will be leaving to Tulsa, Oklahoma and teaching at ORU, in addition to attending and serving at Church On The Move. I pray they will greatly be used of God. Jeff and his dear wife have been in charge of carrying out the discipleship portion of the ministry I put in place here at CGMF. Their work especially among our young people will be hard to replace. Thanks Brother and Sister Hughes for your gracious service to this Founding Shepherd.

Then there are Garcia's. What can I say about this exciting couple who led our diverse group of personalities in our outreach ministry. Their work with organizing our Gatherings Music program and evangelism was outstanding. For family reasons they are moving back to Texas and working in a church in the San Antonio area. I trust and pray God will use them greatly for His cause.

Finally I have tentative resignation from Brother Baker as well. This dear friend has stood with me in starting this ministry from the beginning, and has kept us almost totally debt free for years. I no doubt know to many he has been a pain in butt with his frugality. However, 99% of the time he has been right! His practicality and faith has seen us through so many things. Thanks my dear friend for helping me both start and expand this ministry. Sometimes with just seemingly no resources to use, but somehow God always has provided. Again, your integrity and faithfulness is a testimony to us all.

All this being said I am betwixt. We have some big shoes to fill, and I am wondering whom God is going to use to fill them. Be praying for us Shepherd Leaders in our consideration for the future, and how to proceed under the direction of the Lord. 

I will say we might look outside the church for the first time for those who might take some of these positions. Now we have never done that and everyone has " grown up " into their ministries in the past. Nevertheless, we are considering it and laying it all at the feet of the Lord

God bless the entire CGMF family. Love you all so much.

In His Grace,
Founding Pastor, Patrick Vossen