A few months back a need arose within our family and we
offered to go out to Minnesota to assist for as long as was needed. I distinctly remember being absolutely astonished
at myself for so freely offering to go to a place I had always said I would
hate to go because of the freezing temperatures. I have learned to never say “never”. As soon as the words were out of my mouth I
felt my stomach tighten as I thought, “What did I just say?! Did I really offer to go to Minnesota in
February?!” But as soon as I got off the
phone I began to pray over the possibility of going and I felt the Lord answer all
of my concerns one by one with a reassuring, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. Just let the Body be the Body.” Within minutes I had a complete feeling of
reassurance, comfort and peace. I was
ready to go. While God was working on my
heart, He had been working on Tim’s heart as well. Tim has been gifted from the Lord to simply
and clearly teach the Bible. Through
little things that added up into big things, God was confirming to Tim that we
should go to Fergus Falls.
Fortunately, the Lord worked out the situation and our
assistance was not needed at that time yet I still felt a connection to
Minnesota and a peace about going. Over
the next few weeks it became undeniable that we were supposed to go to
Minnesota. Not wanting to leave our
comfy, cozy, Christian bubble here in California we began to pray for God to
show us reasons not to go. But everything told us we needed to step out
in faith, that this was that ‘something big’ we had felt the Lord preparing us
for, and God was calling for us to get out of the boat.
The last week in March we attended a pastors’/leader’s conference
in Tahoe. After the cost of the trip was
divinely provided for (yet one more thing we took as an affirmative “sign”) we
expected God to have a lot to say to us while we were there still praying about
planting a Calvary Chapel in Fergus Falls.
While we didn’t hear as boldly as we thought we would through a teaching,
the Lord definitely had plenty to say to us (while we were there Tim heard from
the Lord twice that we were to go). We also felt that by not going to Minnesota,
we would be denying the call He placed upon our lives and become even more
unsettled in our spirits. That afternoon Tim spoke with our assistant pastor
about all the things we had been praying about over the last few months.
Pastor Bud prayed for Tim and that the Lord would lead and
guide us. We both know that the Lord is the One who will be doing the work, as
well as equipping us for the work. Tim doesn't feel qualified but is confident
in God’s calling upon his life and is depending upon the Lord to grow him as
the Lord sees fit. As we agree to take step one, we know that the Lord will
show us all of the next steps one at a time, but in His timing.
How freeing it was to finally tell our friends about the vision
God had given us. Even though we still
don’t know all the details we are so thankful for such wonderful friends who
love us. We have been overwhelmed with
support and prayers already, which are so appreciated. In the past we have been prayer partners for so
many different ministries and missionaries and now we see that this will be a
time for us to be on the receiving end which makes us realize just how
important prayer is to the Lord’s work!
So now what or what’s next?
At this point, our family has accepted the Lord’s call to go and we are
waiting on the Lord for further direction.
We don’t know when we might be leaving (it could be a few months or even
years). We have some ideas and
possibilities but until we hear for sure from the Lord in any particular area
we don’t want to share anything as it may get too confusing. Tim has reached out to the two closest
pastors in the area (both over an hour away from where we will be in MN) as
well as some Calvary Chapel “church-planting” resources and for now he awaits
their reply. We are so excited to
include you all in this journey with us as prayer partners. Please join us in seeking the Lord in the
following areas and let’s see how our God not only shows up, but shows off!
Prayer Requests:
- Discerning the voice of the Lord in each new step along the way and that doors the Lord wants us to walk through would swing open wide.
- Tim and I would continue to have unity in the timing of the vision and mission God is calling us to.
- That we, as well as our family and friends, would have peace and joy about us leaving the area.
- That we would have patience as we wait upon the Lord and not rush His work, and that the Lord would go before us even now.
- That we would stay humble and flexible in this process as the Holy Spirit ministers to us.
- Please, Please, Please, join us in praying for those in Fergus Falls, MN whom God wants us to minister to in the future as we have a burden to see people come into a relationship with Jesus.
Us at the Pastors Conference in Tahoe
