Gabrielle "Gabi" Murray

On June 20th, 2008 Gabi is retiring from Oasis Church. We've already celebrated as a church staff. Suzie and I have plans to get together with Gabi and Don to hang out before the pull up stakes and head for Texas.  I'm looking forward to that time together.

Gabi has helped us put a pretty good plan in place to keep things running smoothly at Oasis.  I already mentioned Wallie Walkenhorst, our new Facilities Coordinator, and we also have some added help from John Adams.  John is expanding his role as Kona Manager to take on responsibility as the Pines Campus Events Coordinator!  Those guys are going to do a fantastic job, but some things are going to change and Gabi's unique contribution to our team is certainly going to be missed.  Here are just some of what I will miss:

1. Tuesday lunch will change.  I'm already missing the Cajun flavors.
2. Tuesday night dinner will change.  I'm already missing left-over Cajun flavors.
3. Mason will be less excited to come to church since he can't see Miss Gabi and Mr. Don.

Some things won't change.  I'm sure she''ll still comment on our blogs.  She'll probably even help us to better minister to Oasis @ Large.   That's what I call all the people in our church who move out of S. Florida!

The funny thing about being Gabi's supervisor for the last several years is that I am sure she was keeping an eye on me more than I was on her.  Gabi and I are dedicated to our work to a degree others might not always understand.  Everything is personal!  Gabi knew just when to give me space and when to engage me to get through a problem.  Together we cleaned up from Hurricane Wilma!  Together we fought flooding waters and remodeled several buildings.  Together we supported our church as it grew by many hundreds of families, added 6 worship services, doubled in staff size, and added a 3rd campus!

I now know the definition of retirement.

Moving to a place where you can find a church that has one worship service on one campus each week.

It would take a separate post to describe all the ways Gabi and Don have participated as members of Oasis Church.  The've led, served, and participated in almost ever area of ministry.  So many folks in our church today came by way of Gabi's invitation.  For many, a shoplifting convication or a DUI convication led them to serve at Oasis Church to repay their debt to society.  God used that circumstance and Gabi's love to introduce many folks to Himself.

Thank you Gabi for all you have meant to me as a friend and co-minister. 

Thank you Don for your friendship and all your advice and help when I was fumbing around in the dark as our Ad-hoc Tech Director.  I will miss you both, but I'm so glad you are riding off into the sunset together!