In October 2025, my life came to a screeching halt. After 20 years in youth ministry, I was asked to take a break. This wasn’t a sabbatical or a time of refreshment—it was a forced pause, a moment where leadership had to step in and say: It’s time for you to step away from ministry. When the news hit, I cycled through a storm of emotions. First, I was salty—frustrated and defensive. Then, I went numb, unsure of what to do with myself. And beneath it all, I was afraid. Afraid