In December 2012, Gabe Thomas joined the staff of Grace Klein Community. He holds a special honor in the history of our organization! He will always be the first paid staff member. The creation of his position symbolized growth, faith and trust in what we could not see. God has used Gabe to meet many hidden needs, handle technical improvements, coordinate behind the scene projects, oversee mission trips, maintain proper donation records, travel around the world, build relationships with our global partners, and give us an example of taking huge risks to follow Jesus.

Staff members are vital roles to every organization. The staff keep wheels turning and do the work many never see. As most of us have been a staff member, somewhere, at some point, we can think back to why our role was important. We know what we did to contribute to the whole, even if everyone else did not fully understand our role. We think back to detailed projects where we pulled lots of loose ends together to complete our portion of the puzzle. We remember losing sleep because we cared. We know the great value each member contributes and it will be a loss to not have Gabe Thomas on the staff of Grace Klein Community.

But, my friends, it will be a win for Southern Company. As the body of Christ, we celebrate with one another. So, we rejoice in this opportunity for Gabe and we trust he will continue to serve Jesus wherever He is. We are also thankful that Grace Klein Community is a community that loves change, expects change and encourages change because we know change grows us and develops us in our walks with Jesus. Another delight is employment does not determine the Thomas involvement in Grace Klein Community.

Gabe will continue to play an encouraging role in Grace Klein Community as his family participates in community events, serves when they can, contributes to the needs of the community and continues to join us for Monday night prayer. A community is a safe place where you belong whether you are on staff or a member. Everyone has the same value and we are more effective for Jesus together than apart. We also know how much Gabe loves our partnerships, around the world, and and we look forward to serving with him in that continued capacity. His heart for the world is gigantic and it’s good to love the people of Africa and Belize together.

Gabe and his family will continue to give what seeps out of them – love, friendship, patience, kindness, adventure. We look forward to more of his humor, his encouraging emails, his growth in Jesus, shared meals and camping trips. He is highly respected in Grace Klein Community and we are all better for his investment in each of us.

Now it’s our turn to continue investing in Gabe, Melisa, Ben and Kate as God opens more opportunities for them, provides new relationships through his new employment and continues to grow them in their personal walks with Jesus.

Today our reminder is so precious – remember to be a missionary wherever you are!

Here’s some pictures of Gabe’s sending party held on July 26, 2015.

In December 2012, Gabe Thomas joined the staff of Grace Klein Community. He holds a special honor in the history of our organization! He will always be the first paid staff member. The creation of his position symbolized growth, faith and trust in what we could not see. God has used Gabe to meet many hidden needs, handle technical improvements, coordinate behind the scene projects, oversee mission trips, maintain proper donation records, travel around the world, build relationships with our global partners, and give us an example of taking huge risks to follow Jesus.

Staff members are vital roles to every organization. The staff keep wheels turning and do the work many never see. As most of us have been a staff member, somewhere, at some point, we can think back to why our role was important. We know what we did to contribute to the whole, even if everyone else did not fully understand our role. We think back to detailed projects where we pulled lots of loose ends together to complete our portion of the puzzle. We remember losing sleep because we cared. We know the great value each member contributes and it will be a loss to not have Gabe Thomas on the staff of Grace Klein Community.

But, my friends, it will be a win for Southern Company. As the body of Christ, we celebrate with one another. So, we rejoice in this opportunity for Gabe and we trust he will continue to serve Jesus wherever He is. We are also thankful that Grace Klein Community is a community that loves change, expects change and encourages change because we know change grows us and develops us in our walks with Jesus. Another delight is employment does not determine the Thomas involvement in Grace Klein Community.

Gabe will continue to play an encouraging role in Grace Klein Community as his family participates in community events, serves when they can, contributes to the needs of the community and continues to join us for Monday night prayer. A community is a safe place where you belong whether you are on staff or a member. Everyone has the same value and we are more effective for Jesus together than apart. We also know how much Gabe loves our partnerships, around the world, and and we look forward to serving with him in that continued capacity. His heart for the world is gigantic and it’s good to love the people of Africa and Belize together.

Gabe and his family will continue to give what seeps out of them – love, friendship, patience, kindness, adventure. We look forward to more of his humor, his encouraging emails, his growth in Jesus, shared meals and camping trips. He is highly respected in Grace Klein Community and we are all better for his investment in each of us.

Now it’s our turn to continue investing in Gabe, Melisa, Ben and Kate as God opens more opportunities for them, provides new relationships through his new employment and continues to grow them in their personal walks with Jesus.

Today our reminder is so precious – remember to be a missionary wherever you are!

Here’s some pictures of Gabe’s sending party held on July 26, 2015.