Family or Church?

Working in full time ministry can make it extremely hard to manage priorities. I have come along way since my first few years of ministry. In recent months I have really needed to evaluate where my priorities lie. I am engaged and set to be married in June of 2010 and recently I have needed to make some challenging decisions on where my priorities lie.

One thing I have learned since working full time in ministry and I had wished I had figured out a long time ago is that God is not the same as Church. God has to be number one on my list. Personal time spent with God is of upmost importance, and this does not include the times that I am working in full time ministry at “Church.”

My second priority must be my family. In 1 Timothy 3:4-5 the Bible says “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)” When I make a commitment to marry my wife Lea on June 12, 2010 I must make her, and someday my child(ren) my second priority in life. I believe that if I am not honoring and prioritizing my family I should not be making a commitment to full time ministry, it’s a biblical command.

I will be the first to admit that this is not going to be easy to balance. In recent years my I have put the churches ministry above my time with God. During those times I see my personal relationship with Jesus suffer and this effects my attitude towards others and my job. Just because I work in full time ministry and am reading the bible or studying scripture for an upcoming message series or video idea it doesn’t equate to setting aside specific times to personally spend time with God.

My passion for Nicaragua

In February 2008 I was given my first opportunity to serve on a cross cultural experience by going with a team from Pequea Church to Esteli Nicaragua. The trip changed my life and perspective on how God is at work all around the world. My God, choose to show me how He is accomplishing His mission beyond my over-saturated views of North American “church”. With my role as a technical arts director at a church in North America it is very easy to become so wrapped up in the programs and worship services of our local church and totally miss what God is doing around the world.

In January of 2010 I have been given a chance to return to Nicaragua. A team of young adults from Pequea Church will travel to El Viejo Brethren In Christ Church to serve this church and help replace a failing roof. Although we will be serving the church in this way, so much more of this trip will be focused on meeting the families, neighbors, and children of this community. It is my desire to better understand the story of the people of Nicaragua and bring that story home to share with our congregation. I am certain that God is at work in me, preparing me for something unexpected, my prayer is that I will be open to His leading me in this experience. Throughout the trip I will be blogging daily updates with photos and hopefully some video from our time in Nicaragua over on the churches blog. If you are willing to support me with prayer please just leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Service is a means of bringing about change within ourselves, making us not the “givers” in the interaction but fellow recipients with those we serve. – Jeremy Tyrrell

I’m Engaged!

On Friday afternoon November 6, 2009 I asked my girlfriend of 46 months for her hand in marriage. And she said Yes! Lea is my best friend, she builds me up when I am down, she makes me laugh, smile, and helps me get the most out of life. Her smile is contagious and alway’s brightens my day! Most importantly we recognize that we are valued by God and that he alone has the plan for our lives. We know that God has big plans for us in ministry and I value her support in my ongoing ministry at Pequea Church and the Brethren in Christ Church.

We have set up our own website where will will blog about our experience along the way to the wedding day sometime in June of 2010. You can already read online about my version and her version of the proposal. We have a full gallery of photos from the day of engagement that I am sure you will want to check out. Lea and I plan to use this website to allow guests to RSVP to our wedding and get news about the special day. We want to cut down the cost of mailing all of those extra pieces of paper and cards and use our website instead!

Time off in Hawaii!

Last week I was able to take some much needed time off. My family and I went on a week long trip to Hawaii. We visited Oahu and the Big Island. What an amazing experience! During this once in a lifetime experience we were able to experience the barren lava rock areas, as well as the plush rain forests of Hawaii. If you ever get an opportunity to visit Hawaii take it! Highlights of the trip for me included a helicopter ride on the Big Island, visiting Hanauma Bay in Honolulu while snorkeling over the reef, and having a chance to worship with the folks from New Hope O’ahu. Although I didn’t seem to get a lot of rest on our vacation it was a refreshing time away! You can check out some of my photos on my facebook page, become my friend at facebook.com/jeremydenlinger.

Photo Op- World Series Trophy

On May 13th 2009 I had the priveledge of going to watch the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. I was so blessed to be given free tickets to the game and I got to go with some really cool guys! Because of the seats we were given behind the scenes access to the 2008 World Series Trophy that the Phillies earned just a few months ago. Seeing this trophy first hand was an awesome experience! As I waited to my turn to recieve a photo I kept thinking about what hard work, determination, and time went into getting that trophy. The Phillies although just a baseball team demonstrated to the fans what a remarkable team they could be and they were rewarded with an awesome trophy! I love the Philadelphia Phillies, and even though they lost the game last night agains the Dodgers it was still an awesome time with friends, and a great photo op!

See the entire gallery of photos from the game by clicking here.