May 20th, 2026
by Brad Banks
by Brad Banks
Dear Trinity family,
I've known that while the time for a note like this could be delayed, it wouldn't be forever. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of cancer, particularly in Bree's case.
These past three years have been what feels to me like a war. There have been periods of intensity and of pause and while the past two months have been difficult, the past two days have been brutal. There's nothing worse than seeing your children wracked with pain and not be able to do anything about it.
Right now, all is calm. Bree was transferred to the Jack Byrne Hospice Center at the DH campus. She's doing a puzzle with her parents as I type this. I have absolutely no idea how long things will be like this, but it's nice that there's peace and quiet.
I know many of you would like to see her but that's just not feasible and I hope that's ok. She has very little energy and even less ability to talk. In the coming hours or perhaps days, she'll sleep more and more and then she'll be with Jesus.
I titled this, "A Request..." Once we are on the immediate other side of this, I will need to step away for a bit. The elders have suggested a sabbatical of several weeks and I agree on the need for it. My request is to please be the church. Keep attending. Keep serving. Keep giving.
God is doing a great work here and while He doesn't need us and He certainly doesn't need me, He chooses to use us as a way to grow us into the image of Jesus. I desperately want that to continue. There will be different seasons ahead and I want to look forward to joining you and the Lord in them.
If you are curious how I am doing? Honestly, not great. My wife is dying. I thought I knew suffering and now I know I did not. I am trusting that God's grace is sufficient even though right now I'm not sure I know what sufficient means. Everything hurts and some of you know that very well.
Please come together, follow our elders lead, and do the work of the church. God bless.
Love
Pastor Brad
I've known that while the time for a note like this could be delayed, it wouldn't be forever. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of cancer, particularly in Bree's case.
These past three years have been what feels to me like a war. There have been periods of intensity and of pause and while the past two months have been difficult, the past two days have been brutal. There's nothing worse than seeing your children wracked with pain and not be able to do anything about it.
Right now, all is calm. Bree was transferred to the Jack Byrne Hospice Center at the DH campus. She's doing a puzzle with her parents as I type this. I have absolutely no idea how long things will be like this, but it's nice that there's peace and quiet.
I know many of you would like to see her but that's just not feasible and I hope that's ok. She has very little energy and even less ability to talk. In the coming hours or perhaps days, she'll sleep more and more and then she'll be with Jesus.
I titled this, "A Request..." Once we are on the immediate other side of this, I will need to step away for a bit. The elders have suggested a sabbatical of several weeks and I agree on the need for it. My request is to please be the church. Keep attending. Keep serving. Keep giving.
God is doing a great work here and while He doesn't need us and He certainly doesn't need me, He chooses to use us as a way to grow us into the image of Jesus. I desperately want that to continue. There will be different seasons ahead and I want to look forward to joining you and the Lord in them.
If you are curious how I am doing? Honestly, not great. My wife is dying. I thought I knew suffering and now I know I did not. I am trusting that God's grace is sufficient even though right now I'm not sure I know what sufficient means. Everything hurts and some of you know that very well.
Please come together, follow our elders lead, and do the work of the church. God bless.
Love
Pastor Brad
No Comments