It was a good run, but the run is over.
I’ve always loved music! From a very young age I had music flowing inside of me. I remember in third grade begging my parents for a drum set. My mom one day told me she would get me a snare drum if I’d join the band in school and learn to play the instrument. I was so bummed, ’cause I didn’t want to waste time learning to play drums in the school band, I was ready to sit down behind the kit and start my career as a rock and roll drummer.
Well, my mom won, I joined band in fourth grade and I never looked back. I fell in love with the drums and with making music. I played through the rest of grade school, all through Jr. High, landed the first chair position my freshman year in high school, and stayed there all four years. I received a full-ride scholarship to college for the drums, and the funny part, I ended up playing other instruments way more often in college than I did the drums.
I felt God calling me into music ministry, I had dreams and high hopes of putting a group together and traveling all around the country singing in churches. In fact, at one point I actually had put a group together and had started to do a little traveling around Arizona. But, God had a different plan for my life and He moved me into the ministry as a worship leader/pastor.
Over the years I’ve served thirteen different churches as either a part-time or full-time worship pastor. I’ve gained some amazing experiences and seen God do some amazing things and for that I am, and will be, eternally grateful.
In 2009, things started to turn a bit for my ministry. I was laid off from a church I was serving in Mesa, AZ. I was devastated, hurt, and questioning God. God however, was still leading us and opened the door at a church in Gilbert, AZ where I was on staff for the next ten months until I was once again laid off. My next assignment was a church in Apache Junction, AZ for another ten months where I was yet again laid off from the third church in less than two years.
Over twenty years in full-time ministry…was over.
I found a part-time position at a church in Glendale, AZ and after only being on staff there a few months, the senior pastor resigned. Knowing how the church world works, I immediately began searching for another place to work. God opened a new door, for another part-time ministry opportunity at a church in Mesa, AZ. That position lasted a short time and then I found myself being hired as the Interim Contemporary Worship Leader at CrossRoads Nazarene Church in Chandler, AZ.
I have been here as the Interim Contemporary Worship Leader for 2 1/2 years, but my assignment here has come to an end…and along with it so has my career of being a worship leader/pastor.
My last Sunday leading worship will be Sunday, August 2.
After 28 years of being a worship leader, I am now transitioning into a new chapter of life…
I am joining the team at Emblem Healthcare as a Chaplain. I am actually very excited about this change, and I’m looking forward to the new challenges that will accompany this position. I am also grateful that I will still be involved in ministry. I believe with all my heart that I will feel a great sense of fulfilment and that what I will be doing will make a lasting impact on the lives of those who I touch.
Worship has always been, and will always be, a big part of my life and I am thankful that I was able to do what I loved for a living for all these years.
I’m forever grateful and thankful for such a wonderful wife and my amazing kids who have stood beside me and supported me this entire time. I love you all and I thank the Lord in Heaven for you all the time!
Thank you to all our family and friends who have lifted us up through these years. We would not have made it without your support, gifts, encouraging words, prayers, and most of all your never ending love.
I am indeed, forever grateful….
John Forbis 