The Passing of Dave Hall this past week.

You may or may not know who Dave Hall was, but Dave was one of our dear neighbors who, for the past couple of years, resided in Optimist Park with Aaron and Jesse Stone, Jeremiah Austin, Elbon Sprouse and Neal Helton.

Today, I received word that Dave passed away. He had gone missing over the past 4 weeks. This isn't that unusual. However, usually, after a day or so, he's consistently checked in to make sure the guys at his house know he's safe. For the past several weeks, the guys have been combing the city in search of their roommate. This morning I received a phone call from both Jeremiah and Aaron telling me the city coroner had confirmed his passing.

Prior to living in community with these four guys, Dave resided on the streets as part of the homeless community here in Charlotte. Dave was one of my favorite people at Watershed. He was known to sit in those padded seats at the doors in the lobby at Actor's Theatre drinking coffee before BOTH Transits.

On Sunday's when Dave was in the lobby, I would sometimes tease him and say, "How do you sit through Hofert's sermons TWICE? That must be brutal." He would just politely smile as we would laugh together.

Dave's life, over the past couple of years, had undergone significant change. He had learned how to live in community with his friends at the house. He had embraced a faith journey in Jesus and in our recent baptism, his friends,...(or more appropriately, his spiritual brothers), waded into the waters to baptize him as he affirmed and professed his love and acceptance of Christ. I think the most powerful picture ever taken at Watershed was him coming up out of the water.

Dave only lived a few months beyond this moment in his life. But before he stepped into eternity, over the past two years, he had experienced first hand, a group of men that loved and cared for him deeply. Dave had a family amidst these guys. Today when I spoke with Aaron and Jeremiah, they asked me to inform our community, of this tragedy. And they asked that we pray for them as the deal with the loss of their brother.

For the past several weeks, our staff, leaders and community have been entrenched in the details and excitement of our move to Center Stage. Unexpected loss, such as this, has a way of reminding us what really matters most. While this move is a good decision and important in and of itself, at the end of the day, our lives should be about loving people well and living in such a way that God's dream of seeing a healed world becomes our dream.

I'm so proud and thankful for the guys in Optimist Park and how they loved Dave. My heart is broken for them and for the loss of Dave. I will miss Him... as will our community. Please pray for his family as they are notified and please pray for his community in Optimist Park in the days ahead.

We are unsure of any funeral or viewing arrangements at this time. Once a memorial of some sorts is planned, I will be sure to email you guys in case you would like to attend.

Grace and Peace,

Matt