Youth Director Andy Hromoko - "The Next Door for Me"

Links:

Click Here for Church Website

Messages of Grace

(Past Recorded Sermons)

Preaching:

Linda Pokrajac, CLP

This Sunday

Nov. 29, 2015

Sermon Title:
"Out of This World"

Scripture:
John 18:33-37

November 25, 2015

Hello Church Family,

And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Matthew 4:19

Although I could never come close to experiencing what those Disciples did when Jesus called them to follow Him, I have had my own version of "Come and Follow Me." It was a little over three years ago when I answered God's call to become the Youth Elder and eventually the Youth Director at MLEPC. It was a tremendous leap of faith for me to retire from my federal law enforcement career when I still had a number of years before mandatory retirement.

Looking back over these last three years, I am so excited to see how God has blessed our church family and especially our youth. We all grew closer in our relationship to the Lord and also grew more confident to share God's love to so many others in our schools, our community, country and across the globe. I am so proud of our youth as they have truly become an evangelically focused youth group. Our youth always, always give their all to go out of their comfort zone so that others will know and experience the love of Jesus Christ.

Of course looking back at the beginning of this journey three years ago, one could say the state of our church and youth ministry looked a little uncertain. With the denomination change and departure of staff and leaders, the situation was ripe for the devil to take a foothold in our church family and especially our vulnerable youth. When I answered God's call to leave my federal agent career, I truly was nervous of the path I was about to embark upon as the situation I inherited was going to be a strong challenge of bringing youth ministry back up to full speed and where God wanted it to be. I gave it my all and did my best to help mend fences, and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me as I reached out to many families so that we were all united in Christ, as well as lead and implement many Christ-centered ministry opportunities.

Although the work of God will never be complete, I do know that after much time with God in prayer it is time for me to move on. I never knew how long I could keep up the pace and drive that God had me on, but He has revealed to me that my role was to be the "set-up guy" to navigate our way from the uncertainty three years ago, build a solid foundation and hand this ministry onto God's next leader for our youth. Following Jesus means following Him everywhere and now onto my next leap of faith.

On January 4^th, I will enter another chapter in my life and become the Director of Operations for Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization that helps senior citizens and veterans with much needed home repair. This new chapter will allow me to continue sharing God's love but now to senior citizens and veterans who need lots of help. It also will provide a more structured work day for me as I have found myself struggling more and more to manage my ministry and home time. My last day will be December 20^th and I plan on working full speed up through then. I will make every effort to have ministry programs in place for early 2016 as the Youth Ministry Team will be leading our youth. Please pray for the youth, the Youth Ministry Team, and for a new Youth Director as we close out the year and head into 2016.

I recently spoke with an elder member of our church who told me his success and satisfaction in this life was due to the series of doors he walked through. He told me he can still see the faces of the people guiding and helping him through those doors, and will never ever forget them for going out of their way to help him and keep him on the right track. That is how I think of all of you. Thank you my brothers and sisters for guiding me through this door in my life, and making me a better person and witness for Jesus Christ. And please pray for me as I walk through the next one.

Your brother in Christ,

Andy Hromoko

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