Village Family,
Back in 2019, our leadership team recommended that I take a 60-day sabbatical to prepare for what God had next for The Village. We all sensed that some big things were ahead, but we weren’t exactly sure what direction God was leading us.
I applied for a grant to help cover some of the costs while I was away. It was approved… and then denied on a technicality. Apparently, having a Master’s degree in Leadership instead of a Master’s in Divinity didn’t quite meet the requirements! Needless to say, our team was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to go.
But God knew what He was doing. He always does!
Something big was on the horizon. COVID was coming, and we were about to begin a journey that would turn The Village into a multisite church. Of course, we didn’t know any of that in 2019!
Here’s a look at how the next seven years unfolded:
2019: Our leadership team first recommended a sabbatical as we sensed God was preparing us for something new.
2020: We navigated COVID and began making plans for a new Seneca campus.
The leadership team brought up sabbatical again. My response? “How about next year?”
2021: We launched Seneca and began planning for a new campus in Coal City.
The leadership team asked again. My response? “How about next year?”
2022: Coal City launched in December!
The team asked again. I said, “Let’s get Seneca and Coal City up and running, and then I’ll take the time.”
2023: We began making plans to launch our Shorewood campus.
The team asked again. I said, “Let’s get through Shorewood first.”
2024: Shorewood launched!
The team asked again. I said, “Let me get through the Sheridan launch in 2025.”
2025: Sheridan launched!
And finally, our leadership team made it very clear:
2026: No matter what, you’re taking a sabbatical!
I agreed!
After seven years of putting it off, I’m excited to finally take this time away. More importantly, I’m incredibly grateful for a leadership team that has consistently encouraged me to make it a priority.
Why Take a Sabbatical?
There are two big reasons:
- To Hear From God
It’s easy for the busyness of life, the next meeting, the next event, and the next initiative to crowd out the time and space we need to hear God’s voice.
Just as we sensed in 2019, I believe God has some big things ahead for The Village over the next seven years. My goal during this time is to completely disconnect from the day-to-day life of the church and create intentional space to listen, pray, reflect, and hear where God is leading us next.
- To Rest and Get Ready for What’s Next
For me, taking time away to focus on things I don’t normally get to do is both restful and refreshing. This sabbatical will give me the opportunity to recharge, spend meaningful time with family and friends, revisit some important places in my life, and return ready to give my very best to the next season of ministry.
My hope is to come back at full strength and ready for everything God has ahead for The Village in 2027–2034!
Here’s a quick look at how I’ll be spending my time away:
November 12–20 | A Trip to Africa
I’ll be heading to Heart for Africa! I served on their board for nine years, but I haven’t been back since 2018. I’m excited to see what God has been doing through this incredible ministry and reconnect with people who are doing such meaningful work. I’m also looking forward to seeing how God might use this experience to speak into what’s next.
November 20–30 | Family, Thanksgiving & My Roots
I’ll spend Thanksgiving with family and have some time to visit my hometown church and church camp. These are places that helped shape my faith and life more than 40 years ago. Revisiting them and having the opportunity to thank some of the people who poured into my life will be incredibly meaningful.
December 1–7 | Celebrating 30 Years of Marriage!
Rachelle and I are taking a trip out of the country to celebrate 30 years of marriage! I’m really looking forward to this time together.
December 8–14 | Golf with Friends
A little time on the golf course with some great friends. I’m definitely looking forward to this one!
December 15–31 | Family & Reflection
I’ll spend time with family, including an opportunity to be with Mom and Dad in Missouri. I’ll also use this final stretch to reflect, pray, and begin putting together what I’ve been hearing from God so I’m ready to share with our staff and leadership team when I return.
January 1, 2027–January 1, 2034 | The Next Seven Years!
My prayer is to come back refreshed, refocused, and ready to pour everything I’ve got into what God has in store for The Village!
A Few Frequently Asked Questions
Will Nate be available November 12–December 31?
No. I’ll essentially be turning off my phone and email and disconnecting from social media. This is intentional! To get the most out of a sabbatical, I need to be fully present wherever God has me during that time.
If you need anything while I’m away, please reach out to your Campus Pastor. Our team is ready and equipped to care for you and lead well.
Will Nate be attending services at one of our campuses?
Maybe one! I may make it to a Christmas service, but otherwise, I want to use this time to visit other churches, experience different approaches to ministry, and even get a feel for what it’s like to walk into a church as a first-time guest.
After putting this off for seven years, are you actually excited about taking this time?
YES! 😊
I’m so thankful for our leadership team for continuing to push me to make this a priority. It will be exciting to slow down, listen to God, and see what He has next for us.
I’m also incredibly proud of our Campus Pastors and the leadership team we’ve built. One of the things I’m most grateful for is knowing that The Village is in great hands while I’m away. I have tremendous confidence in this team and in what God is doing through them.
Thank you for being such an incredible church. The last seven years have been an amazing journey, and I believe the best is still ahead. I’m excited to see what God has in store for the next seven!
See you in 2027!
Nate