Joanie and I consider the few years we were able to spend with you some of the richest of our lives. You loved us during a very significant time in our faith development, our marriage, and our preparation for ministry with Hyaets. You helped us learn how to be church as creative, authentic and faithful people.
So many of you guided and supported us both through Jason’s internship, our ordination and our discernment process as we developed and stepped out in faith to begin Hyaets. We cannot begin to adequately thank you all. Yet at this marker in your history, it seems appropriate to remind you that you mean a great deal to us. We become teary-eyed when we reflect back upon our Tabernacle Home!
Just a few weeks from now will mark the seventh anniversary of our joint ordination at Tabernacle Baptist Church! You continue to be a foundation and ground for us as we now walk our journey with Hyaets covenanting to inspire, enrich and embody community in the marginalized places of Charlotte, NC. Thanks for showing us what authentic community can look like in the church! Thanks for loving and understanding us when others, including our own families, did not understand us! Thanks for remembering us over the past seven years as we have been on the incredible journey with God and neighbor to which you ordained us!
Today you continue to inspire us as we hear and read stories of your journey into deep relationships with brothers and sisters from across the globe who are finding refuge in your backyard. Keep up the good and faithful work! Continue to enrich the community in which you have been placed! Never stop being the embodiment of loving, authentic, Christian community! We love you!
Joanie and Jason Williams
Jason and Joanie were ordained at Tabernacle on June 18, 2005 and are residential members of the Hyaets Community in Charlotte, NC.
