Turning the church over to the next generation.

[Gary Swartzlander]

I could have titled this a couple ways. Proud mom and dad would have been another good title.

22 years ago Peggy and I started attending First Nazarene in Jackson, Michigan. Back then the church was running around 100 today we are running around 1150. Our youngest sons Matt and Nate (twins) were 2 years old then.

20 years ago I was first elected to the church board. My first board meeting was the first board meeting for our new pastor back then.

20 years later, the pastor and I are still working together on the board, Matt has graduated from ENC (a year ago) and tonight Nate was elected to our church board at the age of 24.

We will have an age range of 24 - 70 something on our board.

I was not up for election this year, so for the next year at least I will chair the church board with one of my sons on it. How cool is that?

Things we will work together on over the next year are helping a successful church plant get off the ground. A capital fundraising program and ground breaking on a new phase to our church campus, and those are the small things we'll try to do. The big picture remains winning the lost and being Christ to those in the community that need us.

God has been good to us. We are greatful for his blessings.

[Barb Bouldrey]

I am thankful that your son is willing to serve on the church board. Every church needs people his age on it to help reach the entire age span of the congregation and help the church be up-to-date.

Barb

[Joanne Vergin]

Marvelous Gary. What a legacy.

[Gary Swartzlander]

I am thankful that your son is willing to serve on the church board. Every church needs people his age on it to help reach the entire age span of the congregation and help the church be up-to-date.

Barb

We actually had 2 on the ballot who are in their 20's.

[Ryan Scott]

I think that's great for the membership of the congregation to have such vision to bring up younger leaders. Our nominating committee has consistently set a ballot with equal numbers of men and women, older, middle-aged, and younger people, but the board still looks rather old and rather male every year. A mix of different perspectives is a great thing. It's good to see your congregation exhibiting this in such a strong way.

[Barb Bouldrey]

Our problem, and the problem of many churches, is that those in their 20's are the missing generation in the church.

It is such encouragement when those in their 20's and 30's will be faithful enough to the church that they will allow their names to run on the ballot. It gives us hope for the future.

Barb

[Donna Adams]

We have three on our board who are 29, 26, and 25, and we have three that are in their 70's!