Dear Pastors Patrick and Josh,

I wanted to say thank you. I’ve just gone through the most challenging time of my life I sent a text message in the middle of the night and you two called me in the morning. To inquire about my health, spiritual health, and mental health; also my safety.

There have never been men Pastors in my life who have reached out to my life, poured into my life, and prayed with and for me before like you two. I consider you both my spiritual fathers. I look up to you and as I one day walk through Ministry I hope to be as great a man as you two are.

Pastor Patrick, you were my first hug in months, and a second hug came, Pastor Josh. Your hugs are embracing and your prayers strengthen me and give me faith that I am not in this fight alone.

I pray God Blesses You abundantly, in all areas of your life as fathers, pastors, workers, leaders, husbands, and more. May God set a table before you and bless you immensely, May God Bless you so much you never want or need for anything in your life and that you will ever are provided for in all capacities.

My blog reaches many readers from around the world and I want them to all know your names. You’ve inspired me and challenged me as a transman to want better, do better and dream bigger. To not chase after worldly things but the will of God. God put me at ECV for a reason and I’m still discovering why but every Sunday when you preach I am shown more and more.

It doesn’t mean to be a Pastor a preach you have to holler, speak in tongues like T.D. Jakes, be loud like Pastor Steven Furtick. My two favorite preachers beside Lisa Harper and Keion Henderson. You have your own craft, awful dad jokes (Pastor Patrick) lol, calmness, and sensitivity. You preach with conviction and passion and I feel like every time I’m listening I’m having a conversation with Jesus himself. That’s a gift from God, Yahweh, Yeshua, El Shaddai, and Jehovah Jireh Himself. No one can take away your anointing and the call on your life.

ECV and these two men never judged me for being transgender they didn’t preach about how I was going to hell they preached the Gospel of Jesus and it is changing me from the inside out as a transgender, and pansexual man. You don’t judge me for my sins when I confess you say instead you two often say “let us take it to the Father in Heaven.”

Your wives are mentors to me as they lead worship while the kids are jumping over them and they don’t rebuke them they encourage your children to be who they are going to be in Jesus! God loves them, your children, and YOU!

I love you and am proud to see you as a father in the spirit. As we say in the Baptist/Pentecostal Church. Which really means mentors in the faith. I pray that when I begin to start preaching during and after Seminary that I am as passionate and dynamic as your selves. Thank you for helping me to see to take my problems to the cross, to carry my cross, and to LIVE, LAUGH, PLAY, REST, and MEDITATE in my faith.

So be encouraged when you have hard days, hard emotions, your kids are more active, knowing that your impact is changing the City of New Haven and myself. I love you guys and wanted to surprise you when you wake up with a public appreciation blog.

Be strong in the Lord always. He is your Rod and Staff and will comfort you. He is your guide and is making your roadway clear. thank you again and thank you ECV.

• domenia zih