For many years now my family and friends have heard me use the term “life changes”. These terms when used together, as a verb or a noun, are packed with meaning. My life in the past twelve months has experienced some of the deepest of “life’s changes”, and life keeps right on changing. God’s love and the faithfulness of his people have provided a wonderful glue of continuity during these transitions.

Sandy’s fight with cancer and her ultimate passing, was, and always will be, a gigantic marker in my life. It was the end of 38 lovely years of marriage and historical ministry together… I am forever changed. There are not words enough to express what Sandy did for me and for the Kingdom.

Our God is a God of grace, creation and surprises. He is not one who is taken off guard by “life changes”. Let me explain.

One of God’s people that loved Sandy and was impacted as a teenager by our ministry was Barbara Watts. Nearly 35 years later, through Sandy’s illness, and a loving note she brought to Sandy, I was reintroduced to Barbara. Her compassionate personality, depth of life experience and gorgeous presence attracted me to pursue a relationship. She carefully responded, an awesome period of relationship building developed and now we are married. WOW, you may say! Well Barb and I are saying the same thing and we feel so privileged to be experiencing another one of “life’s changes”. I Love Barbara, and am so thankful for her. Together we are exactly what each other needs and she is adjusting so well to the changing world of Rolly, travel and youth event leadership. There are wedding pictures on our website….www.rollyrichert.com.

The entire family is doing well in the midst of big changes. Ryan has stepped up to assume many of Sandy’s roles and is doing an outstanding job. He is also developing many new systems within the organization to make us more efficient. I am so proud of him. Beth has started grad school, continues teaching and is in several performance choirs fulfilling and perfecting her musical skills. Chad and Lesa have another boy, Chyim Ignatious Van Meter; Grandson #2. What a timely blessing. Mommy is so good at Motherhood and managing her photography business and all of life’s demands. Daddy somehow has time for both the Executive Pastor role of their church in Ft. Wayne and performances with his band, Homeless J.

Outside the Box Ministries is very healthy. We have a wonderfully gifted, productive and creative staff. We have produced more youth events and videos this year then anytime in our eight year history. There are now six of us and everyone carries a tremendous load. During the past twelve months, we have seen well over four hundred thousand students and youth leaders gather in outreach and training events. Over ten thousand have invited Christ into their lives or committed themselves to reaching out to their friends with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This ministry is alive and well. We are always ready to adapt to the changing youth culture while consistently presenting the Gospel in the most contemporary and clear ways possible.

Thank You for your prayers, notes, calls and gifts. We are so blessed to have you on our team and are looking forward to giving you more regular communication in the months ahead. Your support remains essential to this ministry.

Life Changes while God’s promises do not! ~ Rolly Richert