Good-bye Michigan

“The word “bittersweet” has never had more meaning than now. In 12 short months, David and I made deep connections that will last the rest of our lives.” _Sonja K. Kemp

I have long lived by the axiom that I am always just one idea or one relationship away from the next level.  I may need to add an ancillary axiom: I am always just one phone call or meeting away from the next location!

Just a few days ago I departed Michigan to head to Orlando FL to attend the 80^th General Assembly of the Church of God never dreaming that I’d be returning to say goodbye due to a new assignment.

One conversation can change everything!

I was raised to respect godly authority so when Sonja and I said our goodbyes to our dearly loved church family in Fort Mill and local church leadership and started this journey of state/regional leadership, I knew that I was putting the direction of our lives in the hands of our denominational authority – the International Executive Committee. 

Over the years, I have known the individual members of every Executive Committee that made decisions about our lives and knew them to be good and godly men who were trying to do what was best for the Church of God; this latest Executive Committee is not an exception. 

I know each of them personally and count them as trusted friends.  I know they love both the Church of God (including MICOG) and Sonja and me and prayerfully sought to do what is best.  Therefore I close the Michigan chapter of my life with peace accepting their decision as God’s will both for us and MICOG.  (And I pray you will join me in this sentiment.)

Having said that, however, let me express my profound gratitude and appreciation to you. The last twelve months of our lives have been pure Michigan delight.  Sonja expressed well to a friend: “The word “bittersweet” has never had more meaning than now. In 12 short months, David and I made deep connections that will last the rest of our lives.”

Time and distance will slowly but surely cause the precious memories of these last twelve months to recede into annals of history, and that is how it should be—life must go on and you have a new Administrative Bishop and First Lady coming: Mark & Al’Lora Leonhardt (an amazing and worldclass couple) who will need the same love, loyalty, and attention that you generously gave to Team Kemp. 

But be assured of this: Our love and respect for you will only grow—grow more precious and enduring until that glorious heavenly General Assembly of all God’s redeemed when we will sit down together and rejoice forevermore at the table of our Lord.

For now let me leave you with this:

Special and heartfelt thanks to the amazing MICOG State Team: Team Lacks, Team Schubert, and Team Smith (You have been a treasure to Sonja and me, we are forever indebted to you) and the same to the wise and supportive State Council and to the dedicated District Overseers who made the job manageable, and to the amazing ministerial corps and members of this great state.  Thank you for welcoming us to your pulpits and fellowship.

And finally, remember the things I tried to teach you – the ties (covenants) that bind you:

1. Honor the Bishop but own your state. (Now you know why I started with this!)
2. Honor and celebrate the tithe covenant.  It is the cost of being in covenant together.  Nothing of value is free, someone paid a high price for us to have the many blessings we enjoy—its your turn now. And remember, the greater the cost the more it means you are succeeding.
3. Measure what matters by faithfully reporting – those numbers mean something. 
4. Protect the fellowship of the brotherhood and sisterhood; together you will prevail, divided you will fail. (Don’t settle for “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt them.” Do something to help each other! Be attentive for opportunities.)

Do these things four things and you will be aligned under God’s order “and there God commands the blessing” (Psalm 133) and thus you cannot fail but will prosper.

I now conclude my good-bye with: warmest regards, highest honor, deepest affection, and forever love,

David L. Kemp

The ONE THING for today: “Michigan, with its delicious American name, is a green oasis amid the deserts of the West.” _Alexis de Tocqueville, (1833)