Growing up I went to the same church my whole life. Every once in awhile we would visit different churches as a family, especially on summer vacation. But every Sunday, we would go to church together. I could probably count on 2 hands the amount of times I missed for being sick or just plain not going.

After 18 years of attending the same non-denominational church, I was headed 10 hours away to college. Living in a different state meant having to find a new church and start attending by myself.

A year and a half later, I have attended a handful of different churches, each fairly similar in style to my church back home. However, through all these different experiences I have realized one thing.

I will forever be grateful for my home church and especially my pastor who made it home.

Each pastor has their own teaching style and beliefs. They all go about leading their church differently. While many are good, only some are great; and I am thankful that mine is great.

The catch is, my pastor is also my dad. He has been a pastor for just over 30 years now. And I don’t doubt that he has been dedicated since day one.

I have seen him in so many aspects of his job. But the thing is, it is so much more than a job. I don’t even think it would be right to call it that. It’s a passion and a calling that takes exactly the right person to do.

So to my pastor and my father, thank you for your dedication. Thank you for years of prayers. Thank you for being the best example I could ask for. Thank you for showing me what a godly man is. Thank you for cultivating a church environment that I can call home. Thank you for being someone that everyone else can look up to. Thank you for gently guiding me closer to God. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for pouring wisdom into my life. Thank you for putting your relationship with Christ above all else.

A simple thank you could never be enough for all you do.