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While many people in economically distressed New Jersey are unhappy with state workers' salaries and perks, one worker has recently left his $82,000 a year state job for a higher calling and a salary less than half the amount. David Butler, 50, spent 26 years in N.J. Family Court as a probation officer, mediator and parent education teacher before deciding to start Oasis-Church-NJ.com, a newly forming contemporary Christian church that is holding its first Sunday worship experience on January 24 at 11 a.m., at 1180 Spruce Drive in Mountainside.
"Many people, including some of my own family members thought I was nuts," laughed Butler, who left his job this past New Year's eve — five years before qualifying for a full pension. Butler's state job, in addition to his salary and great health benefits, allowed him to take up to 56 days off during the year, including vacation, sick and holidays ... working only 35 hour work weeks.
"Yeah, I'm going to miss all that stuff," joked Butler, "But if I learned anything from working in Family Court, it's that people have great spiritual needs that government and court orders just can't solve. What we all really need, including myself, is to know that God really does loves us, scars and all. Since my job restricted me from sharing this message freely, I decided to leave."
Overall, Butler stated the idea to start a church from scratch hit him like a ton of bricks a couple years back. "I thought, hey, why not start a church that combines my seminary training and family court experiences, and offers practical information about life and God's love that folks can actually use?
" That's what Oasis-Church-NJ.com is all about, so if you do not have a church, check us out on January 24 at 11 a.m. I may even invite some of my old state worker colleagues, including Governor Christie, whom I have yet to meet."
For more information, or for directions, go to www.Oasis-Church-NJ.com, or contact Pastor David Butler at 732-406-7821.
— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
