Posted: 11/24/08
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t connected to the people and life of this church. I spent countless hours here; I loved being here. It was through my time here at Arcade that God continued to bring people into my life who took interest in my spiritual health. One of the greatest influencers in my life is Tom Ramsay. He is a man who took interest in my life and challenged me to take risks and pursue a heavenly calling. Tom and I met weekly for many years, grew in our friendship, and most importantly trusted our lives to the Lord. The example he set for me and the lessons I learned from him propelled me into full time ministry. Through his prodding and the encouragement of my closest friend Craig Gross I went on a missions trip in 1994 to the Ukraine. It was there that I clearly felt the voice of God direct me to full time ministry. This journey has led me to travel extensively throughout the country and impoverished countries around the world. After traveling full time teaching about the love of Jesus, God placed me back into the local church with a passion for movement. I became captured by the first century church and burned with deep passion to see this movement recognized once again in the world today. This is the vision that led the movement of 242 college ministry and eventually my leadership of Arcade Church. The journey with Arcade Church as Lead Pastor has been one of the greatest learning experiences in my life. I never imagined coming back to the church I was raised in to lead and speak in this capacity. Once again God allowed me to be a part of something special. Throughout the 6 years I have been at Arcade I have always prayed for continued confirmation of my work and ministry. I truly want to be a person that lives the words I speak and is willing to step out in faith when the Lord directs. Through prayer, God spoke clearly to me in the last month about my future relationship with Arcade Church and with His ministry.
When I was in the Ukraine a few weeks ago in the city of Kiev sitting in my hotel room praying, God clearly spoke to me. For the first time in my 6 years at Arcade, God said, “You are released.” It was as clear as anything I have ever heard from the Lord.
At times it is difficult to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and this was most definitely one of them. However, when the Lord speaks we must respond. We must align our lives to His purposes and His will and so I must also in obedience follow His leading and step down from being Lead Pastor of Arcade Church.
I don’t know what God has next for me, but I can and will trust in Him as my Shepherd. He knows what is best for me and my family and I have no doubt that He has a bigger plan for both Arcade and my family in this transition. My last day with Arcade Church will be December 31, 2008. I will continue to lead and teach until that date, assisting the leadership with this transition.
For some of you there might be a tendency to place blame and point fingers and in turn cause division and pain. I want to encourage you to look forward together as a church, to choose to love instead of argue. I believe this is an opportunity for Arcade and the leadership to clearly represent Jesus in what is said and done.
I love Arcade very much and know that together you will arrive at the vision God has placed before you.
God is moving me on, but He is not leaving you and not moving away from you; He is our Shepherd and He is the Lead Pastor of Arcade Church.
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We are deeply saddened to lose you as our pastor. Your teaching of the truth with love challenged our hearts frequently. You are in our prayers friend.
Not happy about your decision. It seems that this is the time when we need you the most to continue with your vision. I know there is nothing I could say or do to change your decision. Through one of the most trumatic times of my life, I have stuck by Arcade because I truly believe in your vision of reaching out to our community. I do not know that I am ready to go thru the process of finding another pastor here. I was convinced that Bob would be here for us but God took him away… Now you. After having worked in churches for 29 years, the hardest thing I have ever had to do was to find a position in the “real world.” I truly believe God allowed that so that I could learn how to lean on Him for guidance and not expect it from anywhere else. So, needless to say I am not happy with your decision but I will continue to support you in it.
With love, Linda Wilson
Pastor Jake, Tho it makes me extremely sad to know you have resigned, I am so glad to know that you are heading the voice of the Lord. As difficult as it may be, if you are doing what the Lord is telling you to do, then you are doing the right thing. No matter what anyone may say. God has amazing things in store for you and for Arcade Church. I pray that we will not limit Him by not believing that He will continue to guide all of us. Like you said Sunday morning, Jesus is our Lead Pastor. We need to keep our focus on Him. May God continue to bless you and Vanessa and your beautiful children. As sad as it will be to say goodbye to you, it will be exciting to see where God takes you and Arcade.
Sad is the best word I can think of, but I am also grateful for the time you have spent here. I so appreciate your challenge to my sense of comfort and the encouragement to trust God to walk across the room or across the street! How many times did I come away from church on Sunday with a new perspective of God’s purpose or a new challenge? Thank you for being used by God in our lives. I will continue to pray for you and your family and to look forward to see the exciting future God has for you.
I am sitting here fighting back tears. I know that when you hear the voice of God, and you follow it, it isn’t always part of “the plan”. My plan, that is!
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Jake-you are an amazing servant of God! I am proud to know you, grateful to have been taught by you, and humbled by your compassion, and your passion!
God Bless you and keep you!
Wow!! You have grown!
At first I was skeptical (who is this youngster), then as God worked through you, my view, my trust, my faith, grew because of you, and the obvious faith and trust you have in the Lord.
Lee, Daniel, Bob, have left some pretty big shoes to fill, and now, so will you.
God will and always does provide what or who we need when we need it or them. It’s not called trust or faith for nothing.
We just have to keep on keeping on, and know that God is the one who will always guide us and show us some wonderful things in this life if we open up to Him and “truly listen”, as it seems, you have, like Daniel did before you, when he listened to God’s calling him away from Arcade physically, but as you pointed out, not spiritually.
Go with God, and know that your Arcade family loves you and your family.
Dear Pastor Jake, Right before you started your teachings on walk across the room, and the other ones about discipleship, I was already there. My heart and passion is evangelism, outreach, missions, mentoring, discipleship, etc. I am sad to see you go as lead Pastor and so are my daughters. I feel bad because I wasn’t there to hear it from you myself. The choir didn’t have to sing Sunday, so I visited my friend at his church. My daughter called me on my cell and said, “mom” Pastor Jake is not going to be our pastor anymore.” I said, “What?” Anyway, where God leads you, you have to follow. That is my motto. We love you very much and support God’s leading in your life. May God bless and keep you. You are always in our prayers.
Love Brenda Richard, Angel & Brittany Johnson
Thank you for EVERYTHING - 242 and the people it brought into my life (and helped bring me back to life); for staying at the helm during Pastor Cryder’s illness; for holding steady with faithfulness during the months of indecision over who should be our pastor; for accepting the responsibility of Lead Pastor; for your amazing, Spirit-filled, truth-telling, challenging messages; for the love, dedication and perseverence with which you have served this congregation through some difficult times. Jake, thank you. God’s richest blessings as you, Vanessa, and your children follow God’s leading.
Dear Pastor Jake,
Some say you do not know what you have until you loose it!
I have worked with the three year olds and worked with CADE and saw him grow. I also have been chalanged by you to help those in need: serving at the block party. Also you challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and deciple others. Jake, you have and leave a great legacy. You listened to the Lord and Like Joseph the Lord has great plans for you. We love you and your family. I can only leave you with Numbers 6:24-26. “The Lord Bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Love a Sister in Christ,
Joan Jordan
The adventure continues! I felt anger for about two minutes and then I felt anticipation, OK Lord, let’s see what You do! Rest in Him, faithful is He who calls you. I believe that whatever He’s got in store will be good for the four of you, and I pray He’ll confirm it likewise.
Dear Pastor Jake,
Though I am only at Arcade a few weeks a year since I live in Santa Barbara now, I am still deeply saddened to hear that you are leaving.
Jake, I want to thank you for your dedication to Arcade. You grew up here, you had the opportunity to serve and lead here for 6 years, and I am so grateful to have been pastored by you. Thank you for sticking with Arcade through one of the darkest times Arcade has ever seen, at least in my lifetime. God used you to bring healing and restoration to Arcade, and now look where we are now - funding ministry in Ukraine, putting on evangelism seminars, serving our community, and becoming more outward-focused so we can “walk across the room” and fulfill the Great Commission as we are called to do.
I know this was a difficult decision for you, but there is no doubt in my mind that God has called you away from Arcade at the peak of your ministry and will take you to something even greater for you and your family. Thank you for everything you have done for Arcade, and may the Lord bless you abundantly wherever He has called you next.
In Christ,
Lydia Propst
Jake,
I wanted to say thank you for making me feel welcome and needed at Arcade, I’ve only been here a year and God has already been using me, I feel Arcade is where God wants me to be.
I am proud to say i had you as my pastor.
And im glad that you are listening to God’s voice and will for you , i know its not easy for you or any of us, but I know God has a better plan for you and for arcade and that somewhere else theres a church waiting for you and your vision.
I will miss you very much , but am also very excited to see what God has for you and Arcade.
Be Blessed
- Auriela Cecil
Pastor Jake, while we are sad to see you go, we know that you are doing so in obedience to God. While you will be greatly missed (we have been moved by your genuine and fearless spirit in the topics you’ve brought to the pulpit), please know that you have touched (and will undoubtedly continue to touch) the lives of many. Arcade is a better place because of you. You have nutured the seeds planted before you …… Be Blessed!
Pastor Jake,
Moving from San Diego to here and searching for a church was not an easy thing, until the day God led me to Arcade Church. I will never forget the series it was on addiction,which I had struggled with for 15 years until GOD poured out his Grace and Love on me. As a new christian this has been hard for me because I truly trust in you and everything that you teach, but it has also been one of my biggest lessons from you and that is being obedient to the LORD when he calls and directs us. You are truly an amazing servant of the LORD. Thank you so much for all you have taught me I have grown so much in this past year at Arcade with you as my teacher. Thank you and may God continue to bless you and your beautiful family on your journey.
GOD is LOVE,
Chandrena
Pastor Jake,
We also are very upset to see you go and we just wanted to let you know that you touched our lives as well as many others. you changed our way of thinking and feeling as you showed us being a christian is reaching out to the ones who are invisable in this world(the homeless, the hungry, the sick,just people who really ARE in need). you spoke with such passion about extending Gods Word and love and not just sitting in our own small world. thank you so much for bringing to light the importance of leading such a life to save people. after all why shouldn’t we reach out to those who weren’t as lucky as to have known the Father? thank you Jake, you have touched our lives as well! God bless you
Hola Pastor Jake!
Gracias por su tiempo, dedicación y enseñanza! Su vida es un gran ejemplo para nosotros, y esperamos seguir observando y gozándonos de su caminar con Cristo, nuestro Señor.
Muchas gracias!
Adelante!
Arriba!
Will y Corina Rhett
PS..si ahora tiene un poco más de tiempo, vamos a comer no? escrĂbanos cuando pueda!
I don’t attend Arcade but I listen to your sermons via the Pod-cast, you have been an inspiration and there has been many times while I am on my way to work shouting in the car in agreement with what God is saying through you. I often remember thinking, ‘wow a pastor who is not afraid to say that’ in regard to some truth that the Bible says. I love what Joanne Cutler said above “I am so glad to know that you are heading the voice of the Lord. As difficult as it may be, if you are doing what the Lord is telling you to do, then you are doing the right thing.” She nailed it and it is so true.
I hope wherever God leads you that there will be a recording device involved and that you make it back to my iPod. I would say may God go with you but I already know that is the case. In His name I assure you that I will be praying for you and for your family and for Arcade.
-Tim Taylor-
There is not a thing I could add that has not already been expressed here. I met Christ here at Arcade some 25 years ago just about the time you were entering elementary school. I have heard about, listened to and read many words since that time. Funny, I never knew you were there until you started preaching. I can tell you with no exageration that God is leading you and I have gained greatly under your ministry. Vernon McGee told us once that no matter if the sky falls, for us to do what is right. You are doing right. You have always done right and as long as you are doing what God says you will always be able to count on every promise He has given us. Trust Him every day in every way and you will always find the strength and courage for every need. We serve an awesome God.
The only claim we have to fame is that we are sinners saved by Grace.