First off, I just wanted to say thanks for all the prayer and support over the last few weeks. It’s been an extremely difficult season for my family and all of you have been so good to us. Before the news that my Dad had passed away, I was drafting the following post. Here’s the short version: After thirteen years in student ministry, eight of them here at Willow, I’m transitioning off the Student Impact team. My final day is December 16th. On January 2nd I’ll begin my new role as Executive Producer & Worship Leader for the Midweek Experience at Willow. Here’s the long version: Student Impact has a rich legacy not only around the country but in my own life. The very first student ministry book that I ever read was titled “Student Ministry for the 21st Century” by Bo Boshers. That was my introduction to Student Impact. I was a worship leader and youth pastor at a church in Oklahoma at the time. The following year I attended my first ministry conference. I sat in the front row of the balcony in the Lakeside auditorium and watched Aaron Niequist lead worship at Student Impact. I remember being completely overwhelmed by the excellence and authenticity I witnessed among the students and leaders in that service. There was just something special about this place. Three years later my wife talked me into sending some of my music to Willow. I was hesitant because we were already a part of an awesome church full of people we loved in Edmond, OK. But I did it anyway. Scott Rubin called me and asked me to come out to Chicago and visit. I was honored. Eventually I came on staff as the worship leader of Sonlight Express. (And, by the grace of God, we changed the name to Elevate a few short months later!) Over the years I’ve spent time in Elevate, Axis, and Student Impact. I’ve built some of the greatest relationships of my life with the next gen students and leaders of our church. And despite the growing feeling that God was about to ask me to step into something new…I dragged my feet for as long as I could! I have the opportunity to travel w/ my band and visit lots of churches and student ministries. I can say with absolute certainty I’ve never found one that rivals Student Impact. The depth of teaching, the intensity of the worship, and the devotion of the leaders is unlike anything I’ve ever seen! So it is with deep sadness that I make this transition. However, I also embrace this new season with so much excitement!!!! Partnering with Shane Farmer to create an experience for the core of our church is thrilling. Each week we study the word in depth and we experience God together in new and deeper ways. I’m surprised every Wednesday night by the things that I learn and the way our community responds to God in worship. I have lot of excitement about the days and weeks ahead. Thanks for reading along, and if you’re in the area, I hope to see you on a Wednesday night soon! And if that’s not possible for you…here’s a link to the Willow Midweek Podcast. much love, brandon P.S. Despite these changes, me and the guys are still doing tons of student events this coming year and intend to keep booking them until someone tells us we’re too old!
