The Heath Mullikin Project

Figuring it all out one day at a time

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I Think I Know What I Did This Summer

If you’ve checked the About or History page you have seen some changes.  I am no longer the Youth Pastor at Denton Wesleyan Church after accepting the Senior Pastor position at Oakway Wesleyan.  I’m just as surprised as you are.  I entered the summer with plans for the fall for our youth ministry including a revamped 642 news, but God had other plans.  Here’s a quick timeline of what’s happened since my last post:

June 13-18-Middle School Camp at Victory Mountain Camp with speaker Kenneth Wagner.

June 20-25-High School Camp at Victory Mountain Camp with speaker Dave Bever.

June 28-July 2-Spoke at Shenanodah Youth Camp at VMC.  My car got hit by a hit and run hay bale on the way to camp.  Crushed my front left fender and the dude just keep going.  Got a call while at camp about the opening at Oakway Wesleyan and set up a lunch with the District Superintendent.

July 3-10-Vacation in South Carolina at my parents.  Worked with my brother and 100 United Methodist teens from the south in Pendleton for Salkehatchie and spoke on Monday night.  Met with the DS on Thursday and Karen and I both felt a strong pull towards Oakway.  We also got the chance to meet with their Board and hear their thoughts and hearts.  It was very encouraging.

July 17-24-Mission Trip to Philadelphia.  Got to be reunited with the great people Chichester United Wesleyan Church as our team worked with them and various ministries in and around the city.

July 25-Announced my resignation to the Denton congregation and received tremendous support and love from everyone.  Senior Pastor Charlie Collins really lead the way in this and had some extremely kind words about Karen and me before offering a Spirit-filled prayer on our behalf.  I immediately bookmarked the moment in my mind.  It was powerful.

August 6-10-Tricia Pusey came to stay with us and hang out with the Dentonites she had met while we were in Philly.  It was a great time of catching up and looking ahead.

August 13-Folks from Oakway came and helped us load all of our stuff onto two trailers.  They then unloaded everything in the new parsonage in SC.  That night I spoke at the NC East District Lock-In and got to make even more memories with some great people.

August 15-Our last day at Denton and traveling to Oakway.  Got the kids later than planned, but they were excited to get up the next day for…

August 16-First Day of Second grade and my first day as a Senior Pastor!

August 21-My 11th Wedding Anniversary where we(at least me) were surprised by a visit from the Hynes.

August 22-First Sunday at Oakway.  Great crowd and a great meal following the service.

So, there you have it.  11 weeks of sheer craziness.  But God is good, and life is an adventure.  A year ago, I started Chase Your Lion. I know now, that I started that site so I would have the courage to take these steps this summer.  As my wife said,”it can’t be alright for everyone else to Chase Their Lion, but for you to play it safe.”  The rest of this week I will be sharing what’s been going on in my mind through this whole transition, the differences between being a youth pastor and a senior pastor, and how you can know when it’s time for a change.

Good News, Bad News, and a Bright Future

I started this website in 2009 to inspire others to make their life count by discovering and pursuing their purpose, passion, and possibilities.  Little did I know that in 2010 I would be challenged to follow my own mantra and “Chase My Lion” to a new place of ministry.  It wasn’t expected.  It wasn’t sought out.  It was God’s plan for me and my family.  So, after 13 years in youth ministry, I have begun a new journey as the Senior Pastor of Oakway Wesleyan Church in Westminster, SC.  It was a quick turnaround and move, but God has blessed us every step along the way.  The people of Denton Wesleyan have been wonderful and fully supportive of this move and I cannot thank them enough.  I will give a full timeline and story later on, but that’s what’s going on in a nutshell and that’s the good news.

The bad news is that one of the main companies I have been using to promote resources on this site for has dropped the ball on several things and proven unreliable with their links.  I apologize if, when clicking on any links or banner, you have found yourself on a “page or resource not found” page.  There are dozens of posts on this blog featuring links to their site which no longer work.  Over the next several weeks, I will be endeavoring to correct this and will be partnering with more reliable sources to provide the best resources at the best prices.

However, there are great things in store for Chase Your Lion dot com this fall.  It’s not a relaunch, but a refocusing and redoubling of our efforts to be the #1 place for Christian Resources and Reviews on the net. More resources, more giveaways, and more stores!  Thanks for your continued support.

Blogging Hiatus

I’ve spent the last 4 weeks at youth camps and on vacation. Chase Your Lion will be up and full speed ahead in a few weeks as we head into the start of school and fall. Thanks for your continued support.

Interview with Greg and Heidi Edmonds, Missionaries to Haiti

I met Greg Edmonds when we were both students at Southern Wesleyan University back in the mid-90’s.  After graduation, we served together as youth pastors in the South Carolina District and worked together on numerous missions trip and youth camps.  If you watch the Daily Dose of Heath, you’ll recall this story from youth camp where Greg was one of the masterminds.  Needless to say, he is true brother in Christ and someone I have a deep love and respect for.  When I heard he and his wife were taking the step to become career missionaries with Global Partners in Haiti, I knew God had great things in store for them.  This calling came before the devastating earthquake that hit the nation in early 2010.  I had the chance to sit down with them and discuss what God is doing in their lives.

To find out more about their mission to Haiti check out their website here.

To join their prayer and/or financial support team click here.

To join their Facebook group click here.

Rural Church Winners!

Last week, I announced a contest where I was giving away 4 copies of Shannon O’Dell’s book, Transforming Church in Rural America.   The first two winners are both Wesleyan pastors.  Josh Rhone pastors Mt. Union Wesleyan Church in Pennsylvania and blogs over at www.joshrhone.com.  Tim Kirkpatrick serves as the Discipleship/Small Groups Pastor at Foster St. Wesleyan Church in Asheboro, NC.  You can check out Tim’s blog here.  I’ve got 2 more copies to give away so leave a comment on this post to tell me why this book would be beneficial to you and you could win a copy!  The winners will be announced Friday!