A Family Story 2023 / To The Jacks Of All Trades
Dear Friends,
For the last twenty years or so, when people asked me what I do, I would often respond with, “I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none.”
It started as a self-deprecating way to shift the conversation away from the lack of any Western-approved proof of success, as I had very little.
Karen and I have chosen the long game—connection and family—so I can say with great joy, we are rich in love. But that’s not what folks are typically asking about, and it rarely pays the mortgage.
“I am a jack of all trades—singer/songwriter, contractor, filmmaker, pastor, writer, waiter—master of none—house painter, worship leader, salesman, speaker, chimney sweep, podcaster,” I’d say, picking whatever it was that currently paid the bills…
Nearly ten years ago, on another resounding ‘Yes’ from our Father, Karen and I again ‘jumped.’ But at that point, faith wasn’t a blind leap; it was a well-packed parachute.
Faith—
Raised as a pioneer, I once leveraged the word for bold, sexy, independent leaps. Today, faith is a wound, and the patience to heal—the scars and dreams of an old man.
We launched A Family Story almost ten years ago. A non-profit for the Western mind to wrap her arms around. But, as a jack of all trades, I could never master itinerate.
“Follow me,” I’d say, as I reveled in some profoundly beautiful thought, only to lose most while pioneering the switchback. But not all. Some have said, “We’re with you, heart and soul” And, oh, how we’ve felt it. We are eternally grateful. We are rich in love…
Karen grew to dislike when I’d answer, “and master of none.” She knew it was more than a self-deprecating attempt at changing the subject. I could paper my office with rejection letters—my heart, too, when I’m not careful. I’m not allowed to use the word ‘cusp’ in our house, as we’ve lived on the edge of it since our first date.
Faith—
Today, it’s the sneaking suspicion that life has always been the long game of love…
A couple of years ago, while procrastinating on my back deck, where I occasionally write my thoughts down, I came across the whole quote for the first time.
“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
What? I thought as the whole story illuminated my soul. Deep within, I sensed my heavenly Father’s laughter—as though He plays the long game. We are rich in love.
I ran inside to find my wife and read her the whole story. She grinned like she does when she’s right. It’s stunning…
A Family Story This Year
In 2023 we continued to grow in friendship with Derek and Sarah Turner and have been blown away by the beautiful community that is growing around our podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos. By year’s end, we will have released nearly 50 podcasts with some of the most incredible people on the planet.
Karen is still connected with DreamCenter but has recently become one of the children’s pastors at River Church, where Derek and Sarah lead. We love our new church family.
In the last year, I have released Leaving and Finding Jesus, and also a refreshed edition of God Is (Not) In Control; The Whole Story Is Better Than You Think. I also wrote a chapter with new friends for, Free To Give—a book on giving in the revelation of grace.
My brother, Joel, and I have been writing a book series for tweens titled, I Changed The World. David and Miriam were released earlier this year. We hope to release a third, Adam, by year’s end.
Speaking of Joel, we, along with our friend, Tricia Halsey, started a film company a couple of years ago. This company’s vision aligns with our non-profit—we create content that empowers connection within the family. We just signed a production deal with Angel Studios for a television series titled, A Family Story.
As we look back on this year and turn our focus to tomorrow, I am encouraged and thankful.
Faith—
Today it’s a quiet confidence that love is the long game.
To The Jacks Of All Trades
Once upon a time, I would have told you we were on the cusp of an awakening—but I don’t use that word anymore. I believe we are in the midst of a LOVE AWAKENING. We are growing sure in the long game; we are discovering Jesus’ prayer that we would be one, that we would know union, wholeness, Sozo, a reconciling love. We are not on the cusp but amid a 2000-year-old restoration project!
In 2024 I am praying for the Jacks Of All Trades—thankful for the pursuit of mastery, and grateful no one arrives. I am praying for Ofttimes Better —for the breakdowns and breakthroughs.
We are invited to join in The Whole Story—the restoration of all things. I am praying grace and wonder over you wherever you are on your faith journey.
And we want to thank you for your trust.
We want to thank you for believing with us—whether it’s prayers, encouragement, friendship, or finances, we are grateful for your generosity!
How Can You Partner With A Family Story?
If you have been impacted through the ministry of A FAMILY STORY, I ask you to consider partnering with us financially for 2024.
A Family Story 2021 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
It’s been about a year and a half since I wrote A Family Story Newsletter.
So, you know, not much has happened…
About a year and a half ago the Clark family experienced some church trauma because the well-intentioned but clueless husband and dad of the Clark family (that’s me) wrote an article challenging a punitive perspective on hell. I didn’t realize how entrenched Eternal Conscious Torment was in the theological foundations of our community.
If you’re curious, you can read it and the following articles HERE.
For the leadership of our church, that article “bordered” heresy which led to them stepping away from connection with me and A Family Story. Within weeks it became clear I was no longer a trusted or valued member of our community, which led to my family and extended family feeling they had no other option but to leave. It was painful. We were deeply involved relationally in almost every aspect of church life, with my wife, Karen, and daughter, Madeleine, on staff.
I wrote an article shortly after we left that touches on what happened from our perspective. If you’re curious, you can read it HERE.
That said, suddenly the Clark family was headlong on a new journey. And while we felt lost and adrift, we were surrounded by family and friends, and are eternally grateful.
After a few months, Karen and I began to feel new freedom regarding ways in which to express the uncontrolling love of God; ways we realize now we couldn’t have pursued while in our church community.
For twenty-five years Karen and I have been learning how to take a pioneering, missional, long game approach to life and ministry. And in this last year, we, the whole family, have experienced wildly beautiful new ways to learn trust and thankfulness. Even as COVID shut down the world, we began to discover new ways to connect with, and love people. Karen and my girls connected deeply with The Charlotte Dream Center, a ministry to the homeless, hopeless, and forgotten communities of Charlotte. You can read more about it below.
For me, because of COVID, the itinerant speaking aspect of our ministry shut down. So, we launched a podcast; Rethinking God with Tacos. This podcast has been a powerfully good way to dive headlong into grace while continuing with the mandate for A Family Story; to create content catalytic for a transformational encounter with the love of God. Here is a cool recent review I found on iTunes, love this stuff!
“This podcast has changed my life and heart in so many ways. It has healed the places that trauma, tragedy, and religion had broken, and it has…placed hope back in my hands. It has connected me to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a more intimate way and brought me to a great awakening…” — Free1021
Along the way, I reconnected with my friend Derek Turner, who co-hosts. Derek pastor’s River Church in the greater Charlotte area and we have had an incredible time diving into the reconciling nature of God’s love with brilliant guests like, François du Toit, Randal Worley, Baxter Kruger, Danny Silk, Dr. Caroline Leaf, Kristin Du Mez, Wm Paul Young, Brian Simmons and more.
Like so many, COVID impacted our income. But God is faithful and has provided through the generosity of people giving to A Family Story and also through a ghost-witting project. So, last year I wrote. First, I wrote a book for someone else, and then I pressed on and hope to finish my next book by the end of this year; a book on our union and our oneness with God, a book that reveals a God who never leaves and who is reconciling the world to Himself. I am excited about this message and believe there is life in it!
For A Family Story and the Clarks, 2020 through today has been transformational in hard and beautiful ways. And as the world slowly opens back up we are excited about what God has for the future and we are incredibly honored to run at it with you!
I Was Born to Do This
Since I was 12 years old I’ve been involved in children’s ministry in one form or another. I’ve worked mostly in churches and homeschool groups loving on the kids in front of me. Working with children is a huge part of who I am.
In March, after ending my tenure as a Children’s Pastor, I checked out a Saturday morning inner-city kids ministry in Charlotte run by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dreamcenter. The volunteers met around 10:45 am to set up and connect. Then we walked down the streets of JT Williams, a struggling community, to pick up twenty or so sweet kids. We took them to their local school parking lot, gave them a snack, told a Bible story, played games, and worked on a craft together.
I loved it.
The next week COVID lockdown hit NC and the program came to a halt. Everything came to a halt. I was frustrated at first as I had really connected with the ministry. Then the Dreamcenter started passing out nightly meals. So my girls, Madi, Eva, and I joined the team. Every other night, beginning in April and running thru July, we delivered takeout-style boxed meals to 175 people in the neighborhood. It turns out when you deliver meals on a regular basis to the same families, you get to build trust and friendships. We got to know the neighbors, the parents, and the kids.
When the Saturday program started back up in June, Madi, Eva, and I became core members of the JT team, committing to be there every week. Our family picked up one Saturday each month providing a lunch, usually hotdogs, fruit, a sweet treat and juice box, the Bible lesson, and a craft or activity. This is a wonderful time to love on the kids, encourage them, and tell them about the loving God of the universe who lives inside them.
That same month, we began helping with the Thursday afternoon free food market, picking up produce boxes at a local church, setting up the market, and delivering bags of groceries to the most vulnerable.
When NC went virtual for their public schools, it was a large challenge for a lot of families including the JT families. So, the Dreamcenter started an after school tutoring program. Education is my wheelhouse so this was the perfect opportunity for me to give. So, every Monday and Thursday, at three o’clock, I pick up 4 children from the JT neighborhood and bring them to the Dreamcenter HQ. There they spend three hours receiving private tutoring and playing games aimed to move them forward academically. This is key to their future success. I bring them home with a boxed dinner around 6 pm. They love it and I love it. The car ride is my favorite time where we get to laugh and chill in my van.
This is what I was born to do. These families are so precious to me. They have welcomed me into their homes and let me be a part of their children’s lives. I am so grateful that I have been able to serve in all of these ministries inside the Dreamcenter.
Early on, Jason and I felt we wanted to partner as both a family and through our ministry, A Family Story, to support the Dreamcenter and these families. Last week, Jason asked me to write what I am doing so he could invite those who are a part of A Family Story to partner with us.
Here are a few ways you can partner…
We greatly value your prayers. God has always been faithful in protecting us and guiding us when we’ve encountered dangerous situations. Please pray for peace in the JT neighborhood. Please pray that the love of God is revealed to every heart we encounter: the children, the elderly, the disabled, the drug addicts, and the homeless we serve.
If you’re in the Charlotte area and want to learn more about any of the ministries within JT Williams you can reach out to me HERE
If you have already been giving to A Family Story, thank you. Your gift helps enable me to continue working as a volunteer with the Dreamcenter. If you would like to partner specifically to support me, you can do so through A Family Story,