It is with much thought and prayer that we come together to write this letter. Ecclesiastes tell us that there is a season for everything under the sun, a fact which we can all personally testify. Each season is beautiful in its own merit and timing while also worthy of celebrating as we move into a new season. After many hours seeking the Lord and of deep covnersation with trusted counsel, it seems to good to us and the Holy Spirit that Darianne and I enter a new season of our journey and ministry. God has placed on our hearts a great passion and burden to plant churches and to launch a church planting network that will catalyze and resource a Gospel-Centered, reproducing, missional movement of Jesus that, by God's Grace alone, will reach the ends of the earth. At this time, we are both excited and nervous about this season as we know it can only be accomplished by Jesus working through us but we also know the journey is an exciting one that God has prepared for us. With this significant call, it has come time for us to take a learning posture as Church Planting Apprentices/Residents where I (Justin) will also have the opportunity to earn my Master's degree in the process (A goal which I wanted to accomplish by the time I am 30). With this new, this will require stepping our from our roles as Associate/Youth Pastor & Worship Director of FLCC.
To look back at the past 5 years brings great joy and
humility. Pastor Dan and the rest of the team took a great risk on us to begin
the youth ministry when I was still finishing my degree at Northwest University
at 22 years old and Darianne only being 20. Looking back, I am eternally
grateful for the amazing opportunity. We were young and inexperienced yet they
trusted us with a great role as they spent much time, resources and energy to
not just ensure the success of the Youth Ministry but of us as well. For them
to take a risk on a 22 year old punk college kid and allow me to learn, grow
and lead is something I do not have the words to express my gratitude. To be in
an environment where I could take risks, make mistakes yet always be believed
in and trusted is a rare gift from God that many in my position could only
dream about.
We also owe the health and success of our marriage (both now
and in the future) to Pastor Dan and Diane. Under their tutelage, we have
witnessed a God-honoring marriage that will always be an example to us. One of
the primary reasons why I believe God brought us through FLCC is to have as an
example and as personal mentors the Larson family. Our marriage, and the many
marriages we will come into contact with in the future will be eternally
impacted because of their lives.
There are so many people to thank that I do not believe we
have enough time in this letter to do so. To all the leaders and true servants
that have helped with the Youth Ministry over the past 5 years that have made
it a true Joy (Greg & Emma Scott, Christie Morgan, Heather Hurley, Sara
Byers, Opheila Jones, Jim Barker, Sam Raveendran, Larry & Tammy Aegerter, Chad
& Cheryle Erickson, Ian & Beth Lander, Blythe Family, Allon & Liz
Loven, Chris Rumbles, Juli Bee, Derek Hanson, Jordan
Gibbons Jeanna Morgan to name just a few). The board from the very
beginning has been amazing to us and truly an honor to serve alongside. Youth
Parents, I couldn't have asked for a more gracious group of parents to work
with. You have always been kind, never been disruptive and extremely gracious
as we discovered what it meant to lead teenagers. All the Family Community
Leaders are so great and patient as the Lord led us to come to the
understanding of how this was lived out. The worship team has been fantastic to
work with and to see the growth of each member over the past few years has been
just great.
Lastly (and definitely not least) are the students of New
Heights. It’s amazing to look back and see how much each and every one of you
have grown (not only spiritually but physically!). Many of you were just little
middle schoolers when I came, and to some it's been my greatest honor to be the
only Youth Pastor you will ever have. The most difficult part of this decision
was knowing we wouldn’t be part of all of your lives as you continue to grow
and mature into the men and women of God that will change the world. I have
spent days mourning this and in no way want you to think that I am abandoning
you. As we have said from the beginning, It's All About Jesus. I know you will
continue to love Him, Pursue Him and worship Him with ALL of your lives,
whether it was through my leadership or through other leadership.
It must be said that there is nothing causing this decision
other than the leading of the Spirit. Pastor Dan and my relationship is
completely intact and I will always look to him as a mentor in my life. He and
the whole team have been completely gracious, even offering more responsibility
if I were to stay. I still completely believe in what FLCC is going to
accomplish in the city of Federal Way and beyond.
Because of the uniqueness of this situation, we are working
towards ways that we can keep a relational-working connection. Look at this as
I am leaving "home" to experience the next season of life (like a
student going off to college to begin their new life) but with continued
connections. We are using this as an opportunity to use my new skills that I
will develop to consult and even bring some stories of what God is doing
through us. You can look at me as a missionary in this sense.
This decision comes at a great cost to us and we ask for
your continued prayers. I will have to find a regular job outside of Full-Time
vocational ministry to provide for our family as I pursue this apprenticeship
as well as move to a new home in September. We believe Jesus has it all figured
out and as we follow Him, we will be taken care of.
Darianne and I thank all of you from the deepest places in
our hearts. We have laughed together, cried together, grown together and
ultimately worshipped together and we will always look back at this season with
great memories. We deeply love all of you.
It’s
ALL About Jesus,
Justin
& Darianne Westcott
From Pastor Dan Larson
Justin and Darianne are going to be greatly missed. They have done a great job with the youth, worship, support to FLCC’s Vision, Family Communities, and other ministries that they have been a part of. I have enjoyed so much getting to know them, seeing their heart for God and for my kids and many others, and to work together for the Lord for five years. In these times it is always difficult to see those we love move on. We will miss them much, but we know that God’s purposes are always best. We don’t understand always, but we must trust the Lord to work powerfully through them in their new endeavors as well as in God’s future plans for FLCC
