06.18.08 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

As we have just past Father's Day, I've been thinking a lot about parenting--not only in my responsibility to the children of my bloodline--but the responsibility to the spiritual saints I have had the privilege of walking with over the last 8 years. It has been such a joy and great satisfaction to see Jesus connect men, women and children to authentic and loving relationships with people and Himself through thequest. (That isn't to say there haven't been struggles and hard times too!)

One of the families that the Lord has allowed Mindi and I to have a special relationship with is the Jackson's. We had the privilege of being there for their wedding, first child (and the other two too), their discipleship and growth in Jesus. They have known us and we have known them. We have a deep and abiding respect and love for their family and their walk with Jesus.

The Lord has been quietly, and sometimes loudly, calling them to serve Jesus with their whole lives. They have grown and are growing into this calling. On a Friday night, several weeks back Josh looked Mindi and I in the face and asked if they could adopt our baby--thequest. He & Kristi knew that we had been the major impetus to start and leaders of the community...and he wanted to know if as we go, he and Kristi could step in as spiritual parents for our humble band of followers.

After some tears of joy, it was obvious in our hearts that God had called a leader from thequest to step into the role of ministering with and to thequest family. In keeping with that, we are delighted to introduce you to the Jackson family:


Joshua Jackson was raised in a south suburb of Chicago, IL. He received his undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Northern Illinois University. During that time, Josh connected with Students for Christ, a disciple making ministry on campus. He received training in evangelism and discipleship, and was a member of the Core Leadership Team. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at The Ohio State University. While pursuing his doctorate degree, he met his wife Kristi.

Kristi was raised in Athens, Ohio and later attended The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Josh and Kristi have been part of thequest since 2002. Kristi was baptized soon after. In their time with thequest, they have served on the servant team, financial team, led Bible studies and facilitated a house church. Josh recently completed TruthQuest; a doctrinal study group for deeper theological learning.

Joshua is currently employed with Mount Carmel Health System as a Patient Care Pharmacist and Kristi is a full time mom. They are proud parents of Graci, Macee, and Micaiah. Josh plans to continue to work as a pharmacists and they will serve the Lord bi-vocationally.

Josh and Kristi have a passion to reach the world for Christ through the Great Commission to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20), and train workers to go out in the harvest fields (Luke 10:2). They have been called by Jesus Christ as His fellow workers to “preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).


If you would like to connect with them, feel free to at josh@thequestcolumbus.com.

Press on,
Mike


If you would like to read the rest of this week's email UPdate click HERE