Derek and Becca’s Wedding

Last weekend, I was able to be part of an incredible wedding celebration that featured an old roommate. It’s the second marriage ceremony I’ve been part of in the last month, and it is always a true honor to be involved in such an intimate ceremony and sacred commitment taking place among incredible friends.

This ceremony was an interesting coming together of lives and worlds. One of the  officiants for the wedding was none other then Ben Tuel, another of my former roommates. After graduating, Ben went to work for a ministry called YoungLife in Morgantown, Charleston, and now back in Morgantown again. During his time in ministry, he had met a number of students and witnessed their lives beginning to glow with a love for God and for neighbor. His favorite was a young woman named Becca Thomas, who is now Becca Roberts, my recent roommate’s bride.

As close as Ben was to Becca, I would have to say I felt equally close to Derek. Derek was a roommate of mine for over two years, and he and I have been part of many road trips to Atlanta, Charlotte, and places in-between. I watched Derek grow in both his zeal for God as well as his compassion toward others. During the time I lived with him, I had seen him dedicate time to serving people who were less fortunate in life, both locally and globally. Along with some friends he started a cold shelter for people who did not have homes in Morgantown. He also launched a nationwide tour and drove around the country  raising awareness about the millons of people in our world who lack the tools and knowledge to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

This coming together of worlds is really what marriage is all about. Two lives are becoming united to serve God and others in ways that they couldn’t do so on their own. Becca and Derek are currently making their home in Charleston, WV, within site of the capitol. The Robertses have been working with high school students in a local church, River Ridge Church, and continue their efforts with YoungLife as Becca finishes her nursing degree at University of Charleston.

The ceremony was definitely memorable. Much like my friends Joel andHolly, Derek and Becca chose a locale that was picturesque, and contributed greatly to the solemnity and sacred air of the occasion. Friends and relatives from many different areas came together for the celebration, and I’m hopeful that this trend will continue throughout their marriage. May their home and their jointly-lived life be a place where many connect, come together, and experience rich hospitality and a wonderful sense of deep love. And further, may their love be an example that is emulated by the many people who cross their paths during their lives together.

River Ridge Church

It's been about seven years since my friend Matt Santen and his wife (along with a few other folks) moved from Morgantown to Charleston, WV to start a church in the West Virginia state capital. And today marks the first day I have been able to attend the Sunday morning worship time. It was doubly cool because my old roommate, Ben Tuel was leading worship as I walked in. I don't think I had ever heard him play guitar or sing before, so it was a pretty cool experience that way too.

I've been sleeping at Matt and his family's house each night when I leave the hospital. As Matt leaves to drop his kids off for school or to go to soccer practice, or whatever he's got going on, he or his wife drop me off at the hospital, where I spend my day with my dad. I'm extremely grateful for the fact that the Santen's have provided me with lodging each night, and been so accommodating with getting me to the hospital. (My car is still in Morgantown, so in some ways I'm stranded and dependent on the support of others. Of course this is totally ok--we can grow dependent on the autonomy that a car gives us, and that dependency may be more detrimental to our spiritual growth than it is helpful).

As I sat among the church, I couldn't help but think about the way God has been shaping all of our lives over the years. Ben and I became Christians around the same time. Matt used to be a Younglife leader in Morgantown, and then went on to be a pastoral intern at Chestnut Ridge Church back when I first started working for GCM. Now God has Ben and Matt (along with a few other peeps) leading a steadily growing church that has planted a second church in Teays Valley since it's inception.

I was also able to connect with another Morgantown friend who was transplanted to Charleston, Eric Crutchfield. Eric actually took me back to the hospital after church, but not before stopping at a hardee's to get my dad a thickburger. (I know what you are thinking, thickburgers and 4-way bypasses don't mix. Actually, you are right, but for the next month, they want my dad to eat anything he likes, just so he eats and gets his strength back).

If you live in the Charleston, WV area, and you are looking for a church, you should definitely check out River Ridge. I think you will love the community, the messages, and the worship. It's a pretty cool group of people.