celebrating pastor steve kinsel
April 12th at 6PM
We invite you to an evening of appreciation and fellowship to celebrate Pastor Steve and his years of faithful service. As he steps away from full-time ministry and into a new season as a volunteer, we hope you will join the celebration to share your gratitude. Having served across many ministries, his influence has shaped our church in countless ways. We look forward to gathering together as a church family to celebrate all God has done through his life and ministry.
a letter from pastor steve kinsel
Dear Living Faith Family,
This is a day I hoped wouldn’t come, a letter I hoped I wouldn’t have to write. I have been serving at this church for over twenty-five years. The first ten as a volunteer, and the last fifteen plus years vocationally in a pastoral role. I have poured my heart into this church for the glory of God, and I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to do so.
Most of you know that in 2023 I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). I’ve worked for the past couple of years on my recovery. Through the challenges, dark times, setbacks, positive steps forward, and doubts, the goal was being back with all of you, doing what I loved and was called to do, serving God and the amazing people of LFCC as a pastor.
While that goal has not been realized over the last 3 years, if it is the Lord’s plan in the future, I look forward to one day being able to return as a vocational pastor here at Living Faith. However, at this time, I will be stepping away from trying to return to full-time ministry to focus on my recovery. In the meantime, the plan as of now is for me to continue volunteering here as I have been the past several months. This is where my heart is.
It has been a privilege and honor to serve you, and I am humbled by the love you have poured out to my family and me over the many years here. Many of you have taken the time to share with me that I am in your prayers. That means the world to me, and I am forever thankful for each prayer. I humbly ask that you continue to pray for me and my family, for healing, for wisdom, and for peace as we walk into this next chapter. While I thank God I have come a long way from where I was, it is clear I still have a bit to go in my journey towards recovery.
I also want to take a moment to deeply thank the Elder Board, Pastor Scott, and the rest of the staff for showing incredible patience, love, and encouragement during this tough and trying road back. I appreciate the opportunity they afforded me in attempting to return to my role as a pastor. While it didn’t work out for now, God is not done with me yet.
The Lord is moving in amazing ways here at Living Faith, and there is much to be excited about both now and in the future here. You are in the right place, I just want you to know that.
I tried to be as real, open, and honest as I could in this letter to you. No pre-form or scripted letters, just me speaking directly to you. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which happens to my life verse(s). It feels very relevant to me in this current challenge. It states,
“16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Warmly in Christ,
Steven Kinsel
Associate Pastor
This is a day I hoped wouldn’t come, a letter I hoped I wouldn’t have to write. I have been serving at this church for over twenty-five years. The first ten as a volunteer, and the last fifteen plus years vocationally in a pastoral role. I have poured my heart into this church for the glory of God, and I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to do so.
Most of you know that in 2023 I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). I’ve worked for the past couple of years on my recovery. Through the challenges, dark times, setbacks, positive steps forward, and doubts, the goal was being back with all of you, doing what I loved and was called to do, serving God and the amazing people of LFCC as a pastor.
While that goal has not been realized over the last 3 years, if it is the Lord’s plan in the future, I look forward to one day being able to return as a vocational pastor here at Living Faith. However, at this time, I will be stepping away from trying to return to full-time ministry to focus on my recovery. In the meantime, the plan as of now is for me to continue volunteering here as I have been the past several months. This is where my heart is.
It has been a privilege and honor to serve you, and I am humbled by the love you have poured out to my family and me over the many years here. Many of you have taken the time to share with me that I am in your prayers. That means the world to me, and I am forever thankful for each prayer. I humbly ask that you continue to pray for me and my family, for healing, for wisdom, and for peace as we walk into this next chapter. While I thank God I have come a long way from where I was, it is clear I still have a bit to go in my journey towards recovery.
I also want to take a moment to deeply thank the Elder Board, Pastor Scott, and the rest of the staff for showing incredible patience, love, and encouragement during this tough and trying road back. I appreciate the opportunity they afforded me in attempting to return to my role as a pastor. While it didn’t work out for now, God is not done with me yet.
The Lord is moving in amazing ways here at Living Faith, and there is much to be excited about both now and in the future here. You are in the right place, I just want you to know that.
I tried to be as real, open, and honest as I could in this letter to you. No pre-form or scripted letters, just me speaking directly to you. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which happens to my life verse(s). It feels very relevant to me in this current challenge. It states,
“16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Warmly in Christ,
Steven Kinsel
Associate Pastor