Today marks the end of an era for me, my time with i268 has come to a close.

Three and a half years ago I was one of the few witnesses to hear the first i268 song ever played, "Blessed Be Your Name." On a cold, ice-covered day in January of 2005, I sat in the Historic Church at Tabor College with an eager sense of anticipation. I knew at a certain level that something special was happening, not just for me, but for every member of this rotating team. I remember thinking that this is the place where the MB Church started in America and I wondered what God was up to with this eager group of followers. What developed was easily more significant than I ever imagined.

At the time, "Blessed" was a deeply moving, heart-felt worship tune for our family. I couldn't sing the line "You give and take away" without developing a lump to my throat. Our family had returned to Hillsboro with lots of needs; a new job, a new home, a new start, and a new sense of calling from our seemingly distant God.

Through thousands of miles, hundreds of concerts, and countless hours of conversations with these energetic students, God has brought about something new in my life! It can only be described as renewed hope. Hope that the mission that God entrusted to people will prevail. Hope that God will continue to use broken, but willing, people to build His upside down Kingdom. Hope that even in the midst of the noisy culture the still small voice of God is calling us to walk in the way of Jesus.

Today, the last i268 song I heard them play was "Every Move I Make." While I watched hundreds of kids wiggle their way through Junior Camp this week I was reminded of just how old I am, and how much harder it is to move than when I was a teenager. I watched the current i268 members struggle to keep up with the energy of these young campers. While sun burns (ouch Luke!), shin splints (stand still Kayla!), sore voices (sing from your gut Brando), back aches (whoa Joanna!), knee surgeries (stand tall Tobi), abundant hairyness (yes that means you Kyle and David), and weariness (You give it your all, like you always do Trent!) hampered the mood at the end of this hectic week, I stood proud knowing that God is going to be with i268 every step of the way.

May God richly bless you as you seek Him out on the road of life this summer! May you find Him most powerfully in the places you least expected Him and be reminded that God is never far away, for He lives in each of your hearts!