Welcoming the Donovan Family

Columbus Road Church called Tom Donovan to be the assistant pastor this evening at the church's semi-annual vision meeting. Tom has been a member at Columbus Road for eight years and has served as a deacon for the last six. Tom comes to the staff with a wide range of gifts and abilities that will serve the body well. He will be leading the discipleship ministries of the church.

Tom is married to Amy. They have four boys: Andrew, Benjamin, Jeremiah, and Samuel. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He also has a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Sioux Falls Seminary. 

We are excited to see how God will work in the coming days through Tom's ministry. He will come on board in the first week of August. 

Rocky Mountain Oysters

Home for a Week

My wife's family has always valued family vacations. Being a part of her family has taken me places that I could only have imagined going. Through the years, I have traveled with them both in the U.S. and abroad. Many memories have been made.

The Rafters

It is interesting to see how our family has grown. We now have three generations of travelers. Seeing my nephews with families reminds of when I was a young father. It brings to mind so many trips and stories.

This year we all ended up in Granby, Colorado. Our time was precious together. We made another chapter's worth of memories. It is so different traveling with three teenage daughters and a son who is an adult. We even had a special guest who joined us on the trip ("Hannah" - Matt's special friend).

Matt and Hannah

We experienced many new things together, as well as some of the staples that have bonded the group over the years.  I had the unique opportunity to order some rocky mountain oysters as an appetizer at the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill without telling my girls what they were. They all ate them before I was able to have the waitress explain what they were.

A Rocky Mountain Oyster

My girls went on their first whitewater rafting trip, and Madison made her first cliff jump off of a 25-foot ledge. We all experienced a ski lift and a natural sulfur spring. These new experiences provided great memories and many photo opportunities.

Right after the 25-foot jump

Some of the old staples included hosting a family meal for the other families. This year the Cowman's prepared a Mexican meal. We played many games as a group. The volleyball court was always being taken by the Hackenberger clan. My ten year old nephew, Cameron, organized a family tennis tournament that was one of my personal favorites.

The Champions

I am so blessed to have been able to experience the benefits of these family vacations over the years. As a young man, I did not see the value or the importance of going off the grid as a family to enjoy one another's company.

I encourage you to make plans to vacation with your family. Some of the best times as a family have been experienced on vacation.

At the Sagebrush

They accomplished their mission.