The Alcosibas are moving to McKinney, Texas!
It is with mixed emotion that we announce we are leaving California and headed to Texas to begin our new ministry. Although are hearts ache for the friends and family we leave behind, we are so excited for this amazing and exciting opportunity.
The beginning of 2018 came with many unknowns but one thing we were asking all along was for God to show us His glory in our lives and in our ministry. We were also praying that we would learn to live out radical faith. As the months went on, things were changing in our ministry at Cedars Church however, we believed that through it all, we would continue serving at Cedars.
To be honest, ministry had become safe, and we were complacent, and had God not allowed some painful events and circumstances to come our way, we may have just stayed in a very comfortable place. Sometimes God has to force change upon you through hurt, uncertainty, and struggle so you can experience His fullness, His plan, live out radical faith, and see His glory.
Towards the end of summer – after a very difficult, and distressing season – some choices had to be made and after 11 years at Cedars, (a total of 16 including the years as a youth pastor at CBNC) we stepped out in faith and believed we had to leave.
Thankfully, that isn’t the end of our story. As we had been praying and seeking God’s direction throughout 2018, we thought we knew His will, but we clearly did not. We really had no idea what He was doing. In His divine, perfectly orchestrated, and perfectly executed plan, He opened a door for us at a most amazing church in a city called McKinney.
We flew out to Texas to candidate at the church. It wasn’t hard to fall in love with the people at this amazing church; they love Jesus and have servant’s hearts. They are a committed body of believers who are hungry for more of Jesus, deeper relationships, and a strong desire to advance the Kingdom of God. We fell in love with the people, the church, the community, the City of McKinney and we believed God was leading us in that direction.
However, lots of things had to come together in order for us to make this move and to be honest, we didn’t know how God would do all of what we needed. However, we believed we were called to McKinney, and began seeking out God’s confirmation. As the doors continually opened and other doors were securely closed, we kept walking out in faith. Looking back and seeing the dozens of pieces fall into place are stones of remembrance for us.
Carl Medford and his team helped us get our house ready and we put it on the market in November. Although this is not normally a good time to sell, we trusted that if God wanted us to continue down this road, He would provide. Our last open house of the year was the weekend of December 15. Nobody was biting. We prayed together as a family asking for God’s confirmation by allowing us to sell our home by the end of the year.
On December 20th, Carl called us with the good news that we had an eager buyer! We sold our home! We will be moving out 20 years to the day after we moved in; God is good!
With the proceeds of the sale, we are able to pay off our son’s college debt and put a sizable down payment on a home in our new community. In addition to this, Candy will no longer have to work full-time and we will be working side-by-side pouring into people, ministering in various capacities, and finishing her book.
This decision was made together, as a family. Our boys agreed that this is what the Lord has been doing. Kenny will be finishing his Masters degree in April. He is coming with us and will begin his professional career and ministry in Texas. Kevin will graduate Simpson University in April 2020 and be licensed as a CMA pastor – he will start as a youth pastor. Kyle will graduate Biola University fall of 2020 and begin his student teaching in Texas – he will teach high school history. Lindsey will be leaving the end of January, with Candy following in February. I won’t lie, it is still scary, for all of us, leaving everyone and everything we know. It is hard to leave familiarities. We have both lived here over 50 years!
Throughout the years, we have become indebted to so many people! Many of you have provided support, a shoulder, endless advice and encouragement and have loved and cared for us along the way. In addition, over the years, we have been blessed to partner with many amazing and wonderful people in ministry; we have been so blessed. There have been many investments made in our lives. Many people took a chance on our ministry, and us. We are forever grateful and I wish I could name everyone by name! A huge thank you to all!
On this particular journey, there are so many people that have walked with us every step of the way. Mom and Dad, Bill and SharonGerry, Frank and Debbie Klosky, Billy and Carrie Gerry, Ken and Rita Alcosiba, Terry and Linda Pettigrew, Mike and Monica Wayne, Tim and Karin Hood, Jodi and Lisa Madsen, Vickie and Arlie Steele, Ray and Mary Hess, Phil and Stephanie Barton, Steve Greenburg, Chuck and Charlotte Cockerham, Emily Numeron, Lisa Mitchel, Reta Thrush, Virginia Ferron, Rita McBride, Joyce Harris, Gordon and Bethany Fung, Steve and Trish Murray, Alex Bennett, Jeff Larson, JoJo McCoy, Janet Baca, Jeff and Lisa Matthews, Cliff and Cathy Rose, Julie Reimer, Carl and Sheryl Medford, Becky Bryant, Kristine Kane, Brenda Charles and so many more; our list is endless and we know we are probably leaving important people out; please forgive us! A thank you to Ryan Kwon and Resonate Church for being a safe place to land and get recharged!
We continue to covet your prayers for us and our boys as our journey continue.
As we look back over 2018 and everything that we journeyed through together we can clearly see God’s hand on us each step of the way. There were many times we sat wondering what God was doing. There were times we doubted. There were many tears, pain, confusion and feelings of hopelessness but like all things, God knew exactly what He was doing, and how he was positioning us.
Our roots are here in California. So many deep, meaningful relationships. So much of our hearts are consumed by our lives in California and as the day approaches, processing the sorrow will be hard, but, thankfully, Philippians 3:20 is true, our Citizenship is in Heaven!
A movement has begun in McKinney, Texas and we are so excited, blessed, humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this movement. We believe it will spread throughout Texas and beyond.
Texas, here we come!
For His Glory,
Lindsey, Candy, Kenny, Kevin and Kyle Alcosiba