A Message from your Youth Pastor Chris Tansey
Thursday, April 16, 2020
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I pray this message finds you well. This is heartbreaking for me as I wish there was a better way for me to transition and that this could be done in person. I have moved my resignation to April 30 for personal, family and professional reasons. This is certainly unprecedented times.
La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church has been my home church since 1998 when I was 10 years old. I grew up in the youth ministry of La Casa where my youth pastor inspired me to pursue my dream job. He encouraged my pursuits of a Christian higher education at Azusa Pacific University where I double majored in Youth Ministries and Biblical Studies. I then received a full-ride scholarship to pursue my Masters of Divinity at APU and was offered an opportunity of a lifetime to join the staff of LCDC in May 2014 and soon after ordained at LCDC in February 2015. It has been a blessing to serve the youth and families of LCDC for the past six years. We have grown SOOO much together. Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, Confirmation classes, winter retreats, lock-ins, capture the flag, Confirmation Camp, Summer Trips, VBX and other special activities we’ve shared together. I will miss and cherish it all. There are few people in the world that get the opportunities I’ve had, and I feel very blessed because of it. I’ve witnessed the Holy Spirit fall upon our youth ministry and transform lives during passionate youth-led worship. I’ve supported hundreds of teens in becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus. I’ve had the opportunity to baptize youth and adults, officiate marriages, visit dozens of youth in hospitals and unfortunately help preside over a funeral for an LCDC youth. The relationships I’ve developed I will cherish most. One on one conversations and prayers at church or at camps, whether at Starbucks or Dutch Bros, In & Out or Five Guys, Nektar Juice Bar or Wow Wow’s Lemonade, Cold Stone or Rita Water Ice, SomeBurros or Chipotle, helping teens one on one grow in the Christian faith has been such a privilege.
Please stay in touch. I would love to hear updates on your life, colleges you attend, careers you’re exploring, receive wedding invitations and baby announcements (which will come many, many years from now), and whatever else you want to let me know. My personal email is christansey63@gmail.com and I would love to hear from you!
I invite you to explore our online picture and video archives for all the fun memories and special moments we have shared growing in our faith in God. High quality images can be found here on our SmugMug Account.
I also invite you to tune in as a family, this Friday night (April 17) on lacasalive.com for our Youth Livestream event starting at 5:50pm until 6:30pm. The video I created, “Into the Unknown” is a blessing I’d like to share with you and your family.
The next two weeks I will be providing support for LCDC to make a smooth transition. I am fully supportive and confident in our youth leadership team moving forward. We have incredible leaders and parents on board to ensure the success of our youth ministry. Suzan Scudder will serve as the Interim Youth Director as of May 1, 2020 and I will be praying for her and all our leaders.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Chris, Catherine, Callie and Clara Tansey
We wish you nothing but the best Pastor Chris! You have blessed the lives of so many and been here for our kids in countless ways. We cannot thank you enough. Praying for prosperity and peace for your family in your transition.
The Antunes’s
Chris, I am so excited for you, Cat, and the girls to explore this next phase of life! Thank you for the opportunity to work with you in the kingdom of God and for the constant support and encouragement you’ve given me, my kids, and all the youth! May God continue to use you and bless you through your many talents!
Thank you for everything Chris, I will miss you greatly! I remember back in Confirmation class, you made learning fun, and I got to meet really good people and especially a very good friend that I keep close to this day. You really showed me the way and built my relationship stronger with God. I know I’m not perfect and I want to work on being a better person, but you really have helped me throughout the years. I will miss the summer trips with you, your passionate sermons and just a happy face to look at. I hope to stay in touch!
We will miss you Chris! We wish you all the best! God Bless you and your beautiful family.
Dear Pastor Chris
You have been such an inspiration to so many at La Casa. I have noted the youth ministry interacting with you, trusting you, responding to you.
I observed many of them at VBX, being Everything you wished for.
My initial reaction occurred after one of the best sermons I have Ever experienced. I came away, crying, profoundly moved.
Thank you for your insights.
And thank you for attempting to find some youth to help me …Even though I wasn’t able to find a helper, you tried your best.
Best Wishes to you and your family in whatever you continue with!