by Gail Beran Neils

On Wed, June 13, Bethany staff gathered at Linda Cutshall’s home for a special lunch to express thanks to John Chase for his presence with us as Interim Discipleship Coordinator. For nearly a year, John filled the gap between Steve Lympus’ resignation and the Pastoral Nominating Committee’s decision to call Todd Holdridge as Bethany’s Associate Pastor.

As part of the lunch gathering, staff members shared their impressions of John and his ministry while serving on pastoral staff. Words that appeared frequently were: genuine ▪ a team player ▪ witty/humorous ▪ pastoral ▪ friend. Among the comments shared,

• Scott Gronholz (Youth Director) recalled constantly seeing John with members of the congregation prior to meeting him, and wondering how he was so well known.
  
• Sylvia Oines (Organist) appreciated John’s good-natured personality, which made it easy for her to express herself.
  
• Gail Beran Neils (Communications Assistant) expressed gratitude for being able to work with John on the Bulletin & Briefs this year.

While on staff, John worked to develop Bethany’s College Age Fellowship (CAF). Through the formation of an informal team with Jessica Lee and others, CAF now gathers between 12-30 people on Sunday nights.

Ministry with these students touched John’s heart in a number of ways, whether through one-on-one counseling or leading the group in worship, and revealed a sense of call to minister among those of college age.

John’s last day on staff was June 19. This summer, he travels with the Families in Service team to Hong Kong & China, then with Bethany Youth on their mission trip to Pasadena, CA. For the immediate future, John will remain in Seattle and around Bethany as he listens for God’s leading on his next call.