We have probably all heard or used the phrase
YOU CAN MAKE A MOUNTAIN INTO A MOLEHILL
But how many of us have heard it said
YOU CAN MAKE A MOUNTAIN INTO A PLAIN
Back in November I wrote two posts focusing on those thoughts. You can read them here and here. So I won’t repeat what I have already written. Instead, I want to “shout out” about the step the church I pastor has taken and the process we have taken to get there.
Close to 4 years ago now, we were holding our worship in a rented facility called the Sports Complex. Although it was dirty and cavernous (for the adults) and very crowded for our young people, we made due. Everyone involved were troopers, pitching in week after week to set up and tear down, teach, etc. One Sunday a young couple came to visit…Ryan & Hope East with their three young children (one a newborn). In their own words, they were starving and felt lost. Ryan had dreamed of doing mission work in Ecuador and after their marriage that was the plan. But God intervened and babies started coming. They found a church to attend but felt lost. They attended OVCF at someone’s invitation and felt something different. In time they became involved with the youth program. They have even written a book. Ryan’s heart burns with passion for young people and it soon became apparent to me that we needed him. I shared that with the other leaders and they encouraged me to pursue it. I knew what Hope’s desire was. She made it clear. The big question was Ryan. He had security in his job. He had a decent income. He had influence and was well-liked. So one day over lunch I posed a question: “Ryan, I know what Hope wants for you. I want to know what Ryan wants for Ryan.” I told him to pray and let me know. Not too many days later I received the answer I was hoping for.
After a year and a half since that question; after different attempts to encourage the process and move it along (which is a story in itself); after many attempts at starting and stopping and waiting; Sunday we informed the church
WE WERE HIRING RYAN AS OUR FULL-TIME YOUTH PASTOR.
I am so proud of this church I can hardly stand it. More than that…I am so overwhelmed by God’s timing and provision. So many starts and stops and finally… We have come a long way from having almost nothing exactly two years ago. The leaders needed to know the people were behind this, not just in words, but also in action. From the time we made the announcement in November that we wanted to hire Ryan for the first of the year, people pledged over $12k toward his salary to make it happen. Our youth program has been growing and needs someone to shepherd it. Ryan bleeds passion for kids of all ages.
We are blessed that God has seen fit to make this happen. We have also challenged the people to use January as a month of fasting and prayer for the ministry of OVCF. May I ask you to join us in praying for us, for Ryan? Also, does your church have any type of fasting and prayer for the first month of the year? Or do you personally do it?
Bill, we are a praying church. We will be praying at this proceeds. Our church wants to pay off our debt, develop the only day care in our area, and begin hosting conferences here in the Smokies. Pray for us.
Those would be awesome things for your church to accomplish. I will include your church along with my prayers for you.
I love this post. I love it from your side and Ryan’s. This is one of those beautiful moments of syzygy.
Dude you are so way smarter than I am. I had to look up that last word. Never had heard it before. But it is a perfect example of God’s timing and working things out.
God is good! To see His hand work in such a short time is miraculous and telling of His good will and heart. Thanks for your heart and obedience as well, Bill. I know you don’t want it to be about you, but your leadership is the type that God blesses. A lesson in humility and a pure aim of the heart.
We don’t or are not called to any routine fasting. It’s been a while since I have, at least a full day.
I’m praying for you and God’s church and specifically the one you over see.
No question His hand was in it Floyd. I used to fast a day a week until I realized it was not a spiritual thing for me but a “pride” thing. I have had several times where 3-4 days of fasting was done, but like you it has been awhile. I wrote up a guide for people to follow as they fasted. Thanks for your prayers.
that is very encouraging! Prayers go out for Ryan and the Church family.
Thanks for your prayers Craig.
I will be praying. And am seeking God’s guidance on fasting more often. Awesome news, by the way. Love when people are obedient to the Lord!
God’s Chosen Fast by Walls (I think) is a good study of fasting. Thanks for your prayers Matt. Pray God will bless your new year.
Congrats to your church and to Ryan!
Prayer and fasting are so important. I think many overlook the value in fasting. But I’ve also met many who are doing non-traditional fasts with great results. Since we are such a society founded in technology, I’ve met many (myself included) who have fasted entertainment, internet, social media, phone, FB, etc. This is really helpful for those (like me) for heath reasons can’t do a food fast.
I found fasting internet, TV, social media drew me close to God and really stretched me.
My spouse and I like to do fasts together but we don’t always do them together. Praying/fasting for this new year sounds great!
Thanks TC. I have encouraged the folks, especially those with diabetes and other health issues, to consider the media fast, etc. Your new year sounds interesting with your renewed priorities.
This post was just the encouragement I needed today. Thank you for sharing. I almost passed it over in my email. So glad I didn’t. Blessings on you and yours in the coming year!
Tammy it is so good to hear from you again! The last blog I read of yours was about fasting. Glad this was helpful. Praying God will bless you abundantly this coming year.
Awesome testimony, Bill! Looking forward to hearing all the great things God does in the church through this act of faith. Blessings!
Thanks Jason. I suspect your Christmas season has been like mine. Good to hear from you. Praying God will knock your socks off this coming year. how did you son like his first Christmas in Alaska?
Thank you for sharing about Ryan and your church and encouraging us to fast and pray. Will do my best to! I try twice a week, but am still a work in progress about it all! God bless you in this new year, with your new youth pastor Ryan!
Glad to share it Deb. I am excited about what God will do. I am encouraging myself as well. 🙂
That’s so exciting to see such great, positive change happening in your church. It makes me excited to see how God is at work in various ways across the world.
God is good Loren and at work.
Awesome – my congrats to Ryan and Hope for the new beginning as well as to OVCF for gaining a great youth pastor 🙂
Thanks little sis. I know you pray for us.
I was so glad to read this good news, Bill. It’s encouraging to hear how God is working. Happy New Year!
Thanks Susan. I am hoping others will be encouraged as they see God working and know He still is.
What a blessing to read of God faithfulness to the body of believers at the church. My husband always says two things a growing church needs, a youth pastor and a janitor. Happy New Year
I like Ace’s idea. 😛
Congratulations! That is wonderful! So very important for churches to have a youth pastor who has a heart & calling for these kids. I will be praying for Ryan. (no fasting/praying that I know of at our church) Happy New Year OVCF!
Thanks Jan. We are excited.