University Blog

Friends,

I wanted to let you all know that I have been offered another position in the Rio Texas Conference Ministry at Northern Hills UMC here in San Antonio. I have accepted this position and will be starting there in July. It is with a conflicted heart that I go, but after some conversations and prayer with my family, we have decided to make the transition.

After 5 years of walking with you, working for you, and sweating beside you, this is the break up letter.  I am leaving to pursue ministry as an Associate Pastor of Traditional Worship. This is so awkward.  We might see each other at Fiesta, or run into each other at HEB. There will be an awkward pause and some uncomfortable conversations.  All of the traditional break up themes could be said: ‘it’s not you… it’s me”, “we want different things”, “you love cats but I am allergic”, but I will cherish the time we spent together.

I will cherish the way you welcomed my family when we moved here from Oklahoma, even when we cheered for the Thunder over the Spurs in the semi-finals. I will cherish the lessons you taught me: how to lead, how to follow, how to listen.  I will cherish the great friendships and will take comfort that they are not going away. I am leaving for Northern Hills because I feel a call to a new challenge in ministry, but I am only ready to face that challenge because of the leadership, friendship and stewardship you gave me. My time at University has been a time of personal and professional growth and a time of prayer. I have prayed for University, I have prayed with University and I have prayed about University. Those prayers, like the friendships, will continue.  

I will look back on the last five and a half years and think of all the amazing times: The VBS’s where kids were in every room of the building, the missions and service events where the love of Jesus was shared with everyone, the worship where you did not say anything about my horrible singing. I will think of the early mornings, the late evening, even the over nights. I will remember the laughter, the tears, the yawns, the good sighs and the exhausted sighs. The ministry of University will continue its amazing heritage, and I believe the Lord will use me in new and changing ways at Northern Hills.

I consider you friends. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything. My personal email is

Warm Blessings,
Patrick