Aug 10 2009
Announcement
Sunday morning after worship services here in La Grange, I had an exciting, yet difficult announcement to make.
As many of you know, since receiving my masters degree a little over a year ago, I have wanted to get my license in professional counseling (LPC). The downside of this exciting goal is that I have known that at some point, if I ever decided to pursue this, I would have to take at least a 2-year hiatus from preaching in order to accumulate the 3,000 supervised hours I need to be awarded my LPC.
The opportunity has been presented. After much prayer and deliberation with my wife, I have decided to accept an offer to work as a therapist at a psychiatric facility for inmates near Tyler, Texas. I will be working for University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).
This decision is difficult on so many levels. My heart is in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It always will be. There is not a more important work in the world, and I will miss it immensely. I am going to miss the congregation here in La Grange. I am indebted to you in more ways than you will ever know. I love you brethren dearly and cannot express in words how much you mean to me, Cody, and the boys. The elders, as well as membership as a whole, have stood behind me, and have supported me in my growth not only as a preacher, but as a Christian. This is extremely hard to walk away from. This will be a tough adjustment for me, for sure. I love my work as a preacher and it is all I have known for 11 years now. I am so thankful to my wife for allowing me to do what I love doing.
But it is time to move forward now. And I have so much for which to still be grateful. My family’s last Sunday here as La Grange residents will be Sunday, September 6th. We will be moving to the Longview/Tyler area. I do not know what the future holds as for 2 years from now once I obtain my license. Perhaps I will come back to a career in preaching. That option will certainly exist. Perhaps I will stay where I am if I like it there and enjoy what I am doing. At this point, I simply do not know. Or maybe I will even one day have a private practice as a therapist. That opportunity will also exist. I thank God for the doors of opportunity He has opened for me and my family.
I covet your prayers. I am convinced that this is the right decision for my family and me right now but it is still painfully difficult. This will be a big adjustment for me as well as for my entire family. I need your prayers for strength, courage, faith, love, and grace as I continue my partnership with Christ in His kingdom. Please say a prayer for me, that regardless of what I do in life, I will be the husband, dad, Christian brother, friend, kingdom citizen, and now co-worker that God has called me to be. And may I always remember, regardless of whether I am a preacher or not, that I belong to and have responsibilities in the greatest kingdom that could ever exist.
We love you all!
Jason Browning
You, Cody and the boys will be in our prayers. You are a good, loyal friend who has an immense heart for people. Ministry happens everywhere, not just from behind a pulpit. I believe there is a great need for the kind of work you’ll be doing, not only in correctional facilities, but in our churches. You know this as well as I do. But you’ll be able to do work in the trenches and bring hope to the lives of many. For that I am thankful.
God bless you my brother! Can I have half your library? LOL
God Speed Jason,
I hope you will continue to blog and stay in touch. I pray God works mightly in you and that you will be a light to those you will be ministering to. It will be tough as I’m sure you will be tested in all areas.
“If God be for me, who can be against me”?
Well, you have the friend part down very well! You have always been a wonderful one to me bro! Will pray for tall
Jason,
As you help men and women actually experience freedom from patterns and powers of sin in their lives, you will still be preaching the gospel. So many Christians have head knowledge that they’re free from sin, but still struggle to experience that freedom in their daily lives. Your work is tremendously valuable.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58 ESV
congrats, my friend!
Congratulations!!! Jason, when God created you he put a seed of destiny inside you. The seed is who he created you to be and what he created you to do for his kingdom. You are on that road and God will continue to lead you down the path to get you where he wants you to be. You are in a time of transition. God will help you adjust. Remember always that each person you work with is a child of God….even if they don’t know it. He created all of us, loves all of us, and hurts for all of us when we are in bondage. Jesus came to bind up the broken hearted and set us all free. If you ask, Jesus will let you see each client as he sees them. He will let you know what they need healing from and even give you the words to speak. Ask for revelation and seek God for yourself each day…as you already do. I am so excited for you.
Tamra
Congratulations, Jason!! What a wonderful opportunity. We are very proud of you.
Bendra & Sid
Congratulations! You,Cody and the boys will be in our prayers during this transition.
I am truly happy for all of you. I know that in whatever ever field you pursue, the beauty of Jesus will always be seen. Jay you are never away from preaching, though your setting isn’t behind the pulpit. You are now, as you know, in the practical aspect of the gospel of Christ. What an awesome mission field!! My prayers are always with you. I love you bro and am excited for you…….Can I have the half of your library that Doug doesn’t want?
Congratulations, Jason! My prayers are with you for a fruitful ministry, whichever route you’re led to choose.
Thanks Todd. You’ve been a big encouragement to me brother. God bless and I hope we’ll stay in touch.
Jason,
We are so thrilled for you and for your family. This sounds like a great opportunity for you and we will be in prayer for you and your family. May god bless you and your sweet family!
God Bless, Cynthia and Don