The Journey

Letter from Bryan

This week we announced to the church family and our supporters that Jared Buckley will become the new lead pastor of the Journey on February 26.

This decision comes after dedicated time in prayer, fasting and discussion with fellow pastors and our dedicated management team, which is comprised of five pastors who have been invested in this work from the beginning. Over the last six months, Missy and I have been wrestling with our long-term calling in Utah. As a couple we felt a strong sense of calling to plant this church, but not the same level of calling to continue. Last November, Missy and I took a week-long sabbatical at Blessing Ranch in Livermore, CO to pray about these feelings and to listen to God’s quiet, yet clear, voice. Upon our return from Blessing Ranch and discussion with our management team, the consensus was that it was in the best interest of our family and the church to engage the transition sooner than later. While at Blessing Ranch, it became clear that God has put some new things on our heart that we need to intentionally seek as a family.

Over the last year Missy and I have had the privilege of serving alongside Jared and his wife, Stephanie. As we have discussed the promptings that God has put on our hearts, it has been abundantly clear that Jared and Stephanie feel a strong sense of calling to Utah. As a couple, they are thriving here… so much so, that they are considering the purchase of a home. After much prayer and deliberation, the management team of the Journey concluded that Jared has been called by God to be the lead pastor of this church. As the one who planted this church, I could not agree more. I believe that God partnered the Buckley’s with our family for such a time as this.

In sharing this information with leaders in our church, I was impressed by their response. Everyone affirmed our decision as a family and their responsibility to assume a greater level of leadership and ownership. I believe this transition is going to be one of the most defining moments for our young church. God will raise new leaders and renew passion in existing ones. This is the beauty of the church being the church.

With all of this being said, please keep the church and our family in prayer. Our number one priority was a healthy transition of the church and its leadership. With the transition being established, we are beginning conversations with several ministry opportunities that appear to match the things that God has pressed upon us. Please pray that God would give us clarity in direction. We pray for a place that will fulfill long-term calling for our entire family. Please pray for Jared and Stephanie. Pray that they would be surrounded with a group of leaders who stand alongside them shoulder to shoulder in this work. Above all, pray that God’s kingdom would expand in Utah and wherever our family is sent.

In closing, thank you. We are grateful to each person who has engaged this church plant through their prayers, partnership and presence. Eternity is changed because we decided to plant churches and honor God’s prompting to be sent when we are called.

Grace and Peace,

Bryan, Missy and the girls