Hi friends! I hope this post finds you all reveling in the grace of our great Savior Jesus Christ. I wanted to take a couple minutes to give you all a quick update on how things are going down here at the Pastor's College.

I think our time down here in G-Burg can be best summed up in one phrase from Ephesians 3:20 which say that Jesus is, "able to do far more abundantly than we could ask or think." For months we had been anticipating being down here, but at the same time we were also slightly nervous about the transition. We had many questions like, "What would it be like living with a family?", "Would we make any friends?", "How would Sophie adjust to not being around family?" "Would classes be hard and boring?" We were excited about what we believe God was going to do, but apprehensive at the same time. However, with each of those questions God has answered far better than we could have ever asked or imagined.

Our host family is amazing. Steve and Laura are the parents and they have three kids: Addison (age 10), Adelaid (age 7) and Avery (age 3). Not only have the opened their home to us, but have welcomed us in as family. We eat meals together and most afternoons you can find me shooting hoops with Addison or chasing Avery. They also have been great with releasing us to spend alone time together as our family and have volunteered many nights to watch Sophie so that I can take Angie dates. It is awesome getting a front row seat to learn how to exude gracious generosity. Angie and Laura have particularly hit it off. They fill the house with their laughter. Sophie loves being around the buzz of a family. Adelaid is like a big sister to her and Sophie lights up whenever she enters the room. I'm not sure how she will adjust once we go back to just being a 3 person family again. I guess Angie and I had better get working on that...

The PC class has been equally as amazing. It's so cool to be together with a group of people who are all here for the same purpose of growing as pastors so that we might be a blessing to the church. We are learning a ton just by hanging out with these guys and their wives. The way their love for Jesus colors all that they do is such a blessing to observe. We are forming rich relationships which will last a lifetime. While I had anticipated classes being great, I never could have imagined the meaningful friendships that we would form.

The classes themselves are pretty much mind blowing. Imagine Next... For 36 straight weeks! That's basically the Pastor's College. Every week we get lectured by world-class theologians, who are not only brilliant, but men who love God passionately. Several lectures have resulted in spontaneous hymns of praise to God. Simply put, I am getting to know my God better and that is causing my love to grow deeper. So far we have covered: Systematic Theology 1, Introduction to the Pentateuch, Church History 1, Biblical Theology, and Missiology. I really can't describe the effect these classes are having on my life. I try to quote and reflect on content as much as possible via twitter and facebook. If you want to track what I'm learning, just keep an eye on my account.

While we are having a blast down here, we definitely miss being with the people that we love the most. It's great to be here, but it's not home. I'm probably a little biased, but I don't think any of the churches that I've visited so far can even hold a candle (whatever that means!) to SGC- Marlton. The way you all love Jesus and are committed to proclaim him to our community is such an encouragement to me. I can't wait to get back and be with you all.

Grace and peace,

Jeff

P.s. Really jazzed to be coming to the Resolved Retreat. Please signup so that I can see you!