Who said that? "A change will do you good?" Most of us cringe at the concept and wince upon hearing the word ... CHANGE! But change we must, for if we don't, we die.

God knew it. That's one reason He instituted the Sabbath. Six days for work, one day we STOP and REST. We're learning much about what the Sabbath entails in our current series.

Make no mistake! To institute the Sabbath into your life, whatever day of the week, however you choose to practice it, is (in my humble opinion) to invite havoc into your life! It's change, and it's a change that grinds against the nature of our culture.

We live in a 24/7/365 world that just never stops. We've taken 24 hours and figured out how to fully maximize them so that we get every ounce of every minute. In return, we're left with overwhelmed emotions, overscheduled calendars, overspent finances and underlived lives.

What gives? Progress was supposed to buy us more leisure time, according to reports given to Congress back in the late 70's. Instead, we've taken that extra time and made more work and productivity a measure of success in America.

My hope for all of us, myself included, is that Sabbath will soak deeply into the fabric of how we do life. I encourage you to explore with us the goodness and grace of God as we discover more of what He intends for us through Sabbath Rest. It's a change that will do you good!

Allow me to take this space to also address an additional area of change approaching us as a church family. For the last four years, we have enjoyed the life and ministry of John Cox, who has served us so well as our Associate Pastor, overseeing our Youth and Worship Ministries.

A friend of mine since 1993, we first brought Johnny on staff to replace me as Youth Pastor. He was fresh out of The King's College and just married to Wendy when the Cox's arrived here. After a year and a half, we had the privilege of sending them to Great Falls, Montana, where Johnny served as a Youth and Associate Pastor for two years. From there, the Lord led them to plant a church in Goleta until five years ago, when they relocated to Simi Valley.

Ever since graduating The King's College in 1993, Johnny has had a God-given dream to travel and speak at camps and churches anywhere God would give him opportunity. He named the ministry "Over The Top", with a desire that people would find and learn how to live "over the top" of their circumstances through a relationship with Jesus.

For the last 5 years (last 4 on staff with us), we have released Johnny to travel as invitations and time would allow. After months of conversation, prayer, counsel, confirmation and faith, Johnny believes the time has arrived to launch "Over The Top Ministries" on a full-time basis!

What does that mean? Well, first, I'm glad to say it does NOT mean the Cox's are leaving! They reside here in Simi Valley and desire that NewHeart would remain their church family. That means we'll be "home base" for "Over The Top Ministries". As his schedule allows, Johnny will also continue to be a part of our teaching rotation.

Second, it means our Youth and Worship Ministries will see some new leadership. I don't have any news for you on this yet, but appreciate your prayer focus along these lines. We are believing God will give us the right person to fill these places.

Change can be disconcerting, but it can also be invigorating. I have always believed that when it comes to staff changes for us, if a decision is right for the person departing, then it's right for NewHeart as well. This time is no different ... just a new and fresh season.