CLCC bids farewell to Pastor Jay

BY Pat Van Dyke

Pastor Jay is served his favorite food during a youth event. Photo by Pat Van Dyke

After spending much of their married life ministering to the youth of the Canyon Lake area, Pastor Jay and Niki Farwell will be moving to Colorado, Pastor Jay’s home state.

Thirteen years ago, Pastor Jay and Niki Farwell moved from Northern California to the Canyon Lake area. Pastor Jay had been hired as Canyon Lake Community Church’s (CLCC) youth pastor and life for them has never been the same. Pastor Jay took on the task of ministering to CLCC’s students with excitement and vigor. He brought with him his love for teenagers, laughing and pizza. During the past 13 years, he and Niki have experienced many changes in their lives.

Perhaps, the most evident change is the size of their family. When Pastor Jay and Niki first arrived at CLCC, they were a young couple expecting their first child. Now, 13 years later, they are a family of seven with the addition of their three daughters and two sons, Kylee, 13, Brooklyn, 11, Eden, 9, Logan, 7 and Malachi, 5.

Professionally, Pastor Jay notes that he and Niki have grown tremendously as adults. They are now more seasoned in their careers, more confident in their decisions, and their life experiences have allowed them to grow in wisdom.

However, all good things must come to an end. In November, Pastor Jay and Niki shared with the CLCC congregation and students that he had accepted the position of Pastor of Family Ministries at Woodland Park Community Church in Woodland, Colorado. Their ministry with the Woodland Park congregation will begin this month.

On Dec. 22, the congregants of CLCC set aside a time to honor and thank Pastor Jay and Niki for all their contributions to the life of the church and the students under Pastor Jay’s care. After Pastor Jay had given the message at all three morning services, CLCC congregants gathered to share with the couple how their ministry had blessed their lives. After several presentations, a touching video and Pastor Dave Dick expressing the church’s love for this family, a pizza lunch was provided.

When Pastor Jay and Niki speak of their tenure at CLCC, they do so with a tender heart and love for each person that they were privileged to have as part of their lives during the last 13 years.

Pastor Jay remembers fondly the evening when several young men from the CLCC youth group decided to “prank” their house. Pastor Jay was rather taken back when he opened his front door and found students sitting on the curb in front of his toilet paper covered house while being lectured by a police officer. Pastor Jay loved how the tide had turned and allowed him to have the last laugh.

His humor was not limited just to the Canyon Lake area. Sometimes it would reach into other countries as the students accompanied Pastor Jay on ministry trips. The mission trip to Belize resulted in a huge game of hide and seek. While the students were “hiding and seeking,” the camp leaders had dressed up Pastor Jay as Maui from the movie “Moana.”

One lasting memory for both Pastor Jay and the students was the sight of their pastor running through the field next to the jungles of Belize dressed in a grass skirt.

When asked for the highlight of his time as youth pastor at CLCC, Jay replied, “I think one of my greatest highlights has been to be a part of the lives of students that have grown into adulthood. I have had the honor of having students come back to serve as adult leaders on my team. I even have served as the officiating pastor at the weddings of several students. There is a profound sense of accomplishment and joy seeing their maturity, their faith and experiencing their friendship years after they graduate from high school.”

Pastor Jay’s duties at Woodland Park Community Church will find him in a somewhat different role. As Pastor of Family Ministries, he will be responsible for the entire ministry that serves families with children birth through high school along with a grandparenting ministry. He will be providing leadership for the many volunteers that minister to families. Along with the family life ministry, Pastor Jay will also be a regular part of the teaching team that leads the congregation in worship on Sundays.

How does Pastor Jay and Niki sum up their ministry at CLCC? The word “grateful” is foremost as they reflect over the past 13 years. “We are grateful,” said Jay. “Grateful that CLCC has walked with us as pastor and wife allowing us to minister to the students in this valley. Grateful for the guidance and wisdom as we have grown our own children in this church. Grateful to God for allowing us to serve here for the last 13 years. Our time here has been one of our deepest joys and greatest accomplishments and we will miss it terribly.”

Recently, the CLCC youth were asked to describe Pastor Jay in a few words. By far, the word “fun” was on the top of the lists, but also included were “caring, relatable and inspiring.”

Debra, a college student who was involved in CLCC’s youth program during her middle and high school years states it best: “Pastor Jay cultivated a place that was foundational to whom I am today. His guidance and teachings taught me how to seek truth, face spiritual challenges and ultimately follow my calling. As he leaves CLCC for a new ministry, it can be said ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”