Pastor Mark Sabbatical Highlight
Written by Pastor Mark
I’m grateful to the Elders and to all of you for the gift of an eight-week sabbatical. It gave me the opportunity to rest, reconnect with my family, and return refreshed for the work God has called me to at Orangewood.
Much of the sabbatical was wonderfully ordinary: being a husband and dad, reading, writing, making music, and spending time with friends (mostly cats). During one week, I traveled to Michigan to spend time with a close friend who used to live in Orlando. While I was there, we finally finished recording an album we’d been working on together for several years—a gift that reminded me of the importance of deep friendships and of the closeness I feel to Jesus when I’m engaged in creative work.
The highlight of the sabbatical was a family trip with Brandy, Lucy, and Jude through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Canyonlands, and Colorado National Monument. We watched wildlife, stood in awe of geysers, hiked among towering rock formations, and experienced landscapes unlike anything we’d ever seen. The beauty and vastness of God’s creation were constant reminders of His power and BIGNESS. We ended the trip by spending a few days with sweet Dolly Smith in Boulder. It couldn’t have been a better trip.
I have to admit the sabbatical was different than I expected—not better or worse, just different. It wasn’t magic. My own sin didn’t disappear, and while I thought a break from work would make me productive in all sorts of other ways, God had something better in mind. He slowed me down and taught me more about myself. The slower pace gave me space to pray, reflect, and remember that my identity is first as God’s child before it is as a pastor. Those lessons are ones I hope to carry into both my ministry and my family.
One unexpected encouragement was seeing how faithfully our elders, staff, deacons, volunteers, and members cared for one another while I was away. That’s exactly how the body of Christ is meant to function, and it gave me great joy to return knowing the church had continued to flourish.
Thank you for giving our family this gift. We returned rested, grateful, and excited to continue serving alongside you at Orangewood.