My Departure from The Ave

Most of you should have received the letter that I sent out yesterday, but I thought I’d post it here in case you didn’t receive this.

Dear Friends,

With a mixture of joy and sadness, I am sitting down to write this letter to let all of you know that after 4 ½ years of serving at Elmbrook as the Collegiate Ministries Pastor with The Ave I will be leaving my role to pursue a new ministry opportunity. I’m sending this letter to you now so that you will know about this on the same day that the staff at Elmbrook is told the news.

Kelly and I always have wanted to keep our lives surrendered before God, willing to go wherever He would have us go and do whatever He would have us do. For the past year and a half, we felt that God was leading us into a time of searching out whether He would want us to continue with Collegiate Ministries or explore new ministry opportunities. This was not an easy thing for us to even consider because we have loved our ministry with this group in this place and have come to care deeply for all of you.

After continued prayer and many conversations, we sensed that God was calling us toward a new work as a part of His expanding kingdom through planting new churches. Kelly and I both have a passion to see new churches birthed in areas where there are opportunities for many more people to come to know Jesus. Through further prayer and discussion, it became clear that God was leading us to join Elmbrook’s new church plant in Mukwonago – Brooklife Church – with Jason and Heather Webb, which launches on January 6, 2008. I’m looking forward to seeing all that God wants to do in Mukwonago as we step out in faithfulness to His call.

As I look back over these years, I am amazed at how God has been at work in our midst. I think of the students who have grown with Christ as they gave so much time and energy serving on our Servantship Team over the years. I think of the vision and passion God has given to so many of the school-year Ave students for impacting the city of Milwaukee. I think of our mission trips here and around the world that have changed the neighborhoods of Jackson, MS, the lives of folks in other countries, and our own lives dramatically. I think of the hundreds of students who have gathered at The Summer Ave to worship, pray, and be shaped by God’s Word to return to their campuses each Fall. There is so much more that could be said about these years! It is hard for me to imagine not being a part of that in the same way anymore. I know that there is still so much that God wants to do in, with, and through all of you and your lives in the future.

I realize that the news of my departure will be surprising for most of you. As we move toward this change, I am reassured when I consider how God is ultimately in control. Just as He called me here five years ago, he is now calling me out to be a part of a new work. I believe that in His wisdom and faithfulness, He is already preparing another pastor to lead this ministry to a new and good place.

During the next few months, I will be working with the College Ministry interns and other staff at Elmbrook to help there be a smooth transition with The Ave. We really care about all of you in the midst of this change. Because of this, I will continue to provide some transitional leadership for Collegiate Ministries through May 2008 or until a new pastor is called.

For those of you who are available, I’ll be sharing our story about this more personally before The Ave on November 6 from 7:30-8:00 PM.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to minister among you for this season of our lives,

Matt Erickson