A Word from Pastor Eric Channing

Dear College Church family,

I want to express my deep love for you, the people of this church. Ten years ago, Sara and I arrived at College Church for the pastoral residency program, with three young children. We were planning to spend two or three years in Wheaton, and then a lifetime in Africa as missionaries. Little did we know that God had other plans. When he unexpectedly changed our family’s plans for missionary service, I was thrilled to remain on the pastoral staff as college pastor for two years, and then as the pastor of congregational care and family ministries for five and a half years. Over the past decade, I was ordained, our family has been blessed with three additional children, and by God’s grace, I have grown in my ability to preach, lead and care for his people. I am profoundly grateful to have served our Lord and Savior in this place.

I truly believe that the people of College Church are pure gold. God has given extraordinary resources to College Church, but the greatest of these resources is the people. I have been privileged to walk with so many of you through situations of life, difficulty and death, and our family has made lifelong friendships here. We will miss you deeply.

There was a time not too long ago when I believed that I would be ministering at College Church for the rest of my life. I never viewed my position at College Church as a stepping-stone, but rather as a destination. But God, in his providence, has shown me that he has other plans for us. Earlier this year an elder from one of our church plants Hope Fellowship in Lombard unexpectedly reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in becoming their next lead pastor. Initially I told him, “I don’t know,” but I would pray about it. As I prayed about it that evening, immediately God gave me a strong desire for this ministry. Over the past many months Sara and I have continued to pray and seek counsel about this opportunity. It has become very clear to us, and to Hope Fellowship, that God has prepared us for this new role. By faith we are following the leading of our Savior into this next chapter of ministry.

Our hearts are torn. We eagerly anticipate what God has in store, yet at the same time we are deeply saddened to be leaving a church family we love. Thankfully, we will still be living in Wheaton, and we are grateful to remain part of the “extended family” of College Church. I am hopeful that College Church and Hope Fellowship can find new ways to partner in gospel ministry in the years ahead.

College Church, echoing the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians, I give thanks to God always for all of you (1 Thess. 1:2). Please pray for me and my family as we transition to Hope Fellowship, and that “words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” (Eph. 6:19)

With deep love and affection in Christ, Eric Channing