January Newsletter
Hey College Heights Family,
A few weeks ago, I preached a sermon about “The King’s News,” and I did not have enough time to highlight one important truth that we cannot miss when it comes to the news of the King. It has more to do with the “Messengers” of the news, not the specific “Message.”
The central message of Jesus’ good news is found in Matthew 4.17:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
We talked about the essence of this message being that Jesus is ushering in his reign over the entire world by his presence. Jesus is here, the firstborn of new creation, and in him he is finally bringing the future heaven into the present, what is true up there to come and be true down here. But what is fascinating to me is that Jesus was not the first person who proclaimed this good news, but actually the second. Look at what his cousin, John the Baptist, says in Matthew 3.1:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This is actually verbatim in the original Greek language. The message that John the Baptist proclaims and the message that Jesus proclaims is the same exact message. But it does not stop there. Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God to the disciples after he resurrected from the dead (Acts 1.3). It is the summary teaching of Philip as he travels throughout Samaria (Acts 8.12). It is what the people in Ephesus heard Paul talk about for three straight months in the synagogue (Acts 19.8). And at the very end of the book of Acts, we see Paul in prison carrying on the message of John the Baptist and Jesus:
Acts 28.30-31
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Here is what I have come to learn about “The King’s News”: Messengers come and go, but the message remains the same. The message that God’s new kingdom is here remains constant throughout the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus and the early church. Yet, messengers rise up to proclaim it, hand it off like a baton to someone else, and then disappear from the pages of the New Testament: John the Baptist, then Jesus, then Philip, then Paul. While each messenger was vital for picking up the message and being faithful in their season and time to proclaim it, the message is the only part of the news of the King that will always be present until Jesus comes again. The messengers are temporary, the message is eternal.
The same is true when it comes to us, to the church, and to the ministers and leaders of the church. One day, I will no longer be the Lead Minister at College Heights. This is not because I am planning on going anywhere anytime soon, but because messengers come and go, but the message remains the same. It is also true of one of our beloved Ministers, Titus Neuenschwnader, who is stepping off of staff at College Heights in order to pursue a calling that God has laid on him and Lesli’s lives. To read future about their new direction and calling, continue reading to learn more. Even though they will no longer be on staff, the message of hope for families in our community will never leave us because of the impact of Titus and Lesli and their family.
Messengers come and go, but the message always remains the same.
Below is a letter from Titus Neuenschwander:
Dear College Heights,
Sometimes, there is no easy way to have a hard conversation. For me, this is one of those times. On May 1st, I will be stepping down from the ministry staff of College Heights. Lesli and I believe God is asking us to join Him on an adventure.
During our tenure here, we have had the privilege to walk beside individuals, marriages, and families through difficult seasons. We want to continue that journey. We have a dream of providing a safe place for families to find restoration and hope through counseling, education, and retreats. I am currently pursuing a masters degree and licensure to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Lesli has completed several certifications in trauma, family education, and parent coaching. We have also been on the lookout for a unique home designed for hospitality.
Although the direction we are headed may be clear, our specific next steps are somewhat of a mystery. Our resignation puts us in an unknown wilderness for a time, waiting to see how God unfolds the future. This season is hard to articulate because we do not fully understand it.
Despite our uncertain future, we do have certainty about our relationship with you. We cannot adequately express our love and gratitude. For over 14 years, this church has been our home and College Heights has been our family of families. I have experienced some of my best days of life and faith beside you. I have loved serving beside you, sharing spiritual adventures, and watching Jesus faithfully walk with you, strengthen you, and change you. You have humbly shown us what it means to live in the hope of Jesus. I am thankful for such a blessed privilege.
When I was first interviewed, the church leadership told me that we would be given the room to grow and fail. To be honest, I didn’t fully believe it at the time, but those words have been refreshingly true. Some of my leadership efforts were unsuccessful, but I was always empowered to re-aim and try again. That same space has been extended to my family. We have been given permission to struggle and be broken. Your grace has sustained us and allowed us to grow, learn, and find solutions, not only for our family, but practical ways for walking beside other families. The safety to be imperfect created the freedom for me to be authentic. Thank you for that gift.
Please know we will continue to pray for you, and as you think of us, pray for us. Thank you for your role in shaping us as individuals, as a couple and as a family. We sincerely love and appreciate you.
In Faith, Hope, and Love.
Titus and Lesli