For the past 7+ years I have attended University Presbyterian Church. For the past 4.5 years I have worked at UPC. So during that time you could say that The Bates Family (Mark, Anna Katherine, Allison, Ashley, and Tricia) have had a pretty big impact on my life. It is a true blessing to work for a man such as Mark. His leadership is powerful and I deeply respect him. Just about 2 months ago he announced that he felt God was leading him to a new church. When he called me with the news I was a wreck. I sobbed on the phone. I can not imagine UPC with out him or his family. Then...I heard him explain how he felt God calling him to move. When you hear Mark speak of such things you can't really argue with him. I have seen God lead him many different times and all have had amazing outcomes. This past Sunday was the day he preached his last sermon and also the day of the going away party for them. It was a day filled with mixed emotions. It was great to feel the outpouring of love not only from myself but the whole church for The Bates. I'm sad that they are gone but they have left an incredible legacy. God is going to do awesome things here at UPC because God, through Mark, has laid an incredible foundation to move forward with.