Members Popular Post weary warrior Posted November 24, 2019 Members Popular Post Share Posted November 24, 2019 Well, after 10 years since the last one, we've accepted a request to take a pastorate of a little church in Washington State 40 miles south of Spokane. They've been looking for a pastor with "callused hands and muddy boots" who can relate to the farmers, ranchers and working men of the area. When they first contacted me back in June, we turned down the offer, not feeling we were up to it. But they never found a pastor they were looking for, and we never found the ministry we were looking for. So when they came back around again last month, we accepted after much prayer. I'm taking off with a truck and u-haul here in about 3 days for the 2500 mile trip out there. I have no support, no job and no salary waiting. (The church has shrunk to a congregation of...6). We are not worried at all, but are excited to see what God does. Our plan? To simply preach straight truth, pray much prayers and love unlovable people. Beyond that, it's in God's hands. Miss Daisy, AWorkInProgress, Alan and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Posted November 24, 2019 Members Share Posted November 24, 2019 Sounds like your going by faith. May God bless your efforts. Miss Daisy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Young Posted November 24, 2019 Members Share Posted November 24, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, weary warrior said: we've accepted a request to take a pastorate of a little church in Washington State 40 miles south of Spokane. Is that the one in Rosalia, Wa? I know it well and have been praying that they would get a pastor. I'll be praying for your church and that the lord will bless your work there. Edited November 24, 2019 by John Young Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members weary warrior Posted November 24, 2019 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2019 2 hours ago, John Young said: Is that the one in Rosalia, Wa? I know it well and have been praying that they would get a pastor. I'll be praying for your church and that the lord will bless your work there. Actually, it is that church. John Young 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Jim_Alaska Posted November 24, 2019 Administrators Share Posted November 24, 2019 Glad to have you back online WW. It's been some time since I heard anything from you. I kinda lost track of where you were. Didn't know if you were still in Alaska or had moved somewhere south. I any event, it's good to hear from you and even better to hear the news of the pastorate you accepted. I'll be in prayer for this ministry. Please try to keep us updated on your new ministry and any progress. Six people huh? To me this sounds like a wonderful opportunity to watch God work and reward your efforts. This reminds me of the church I am attending now here in the small town of Yreka, California. When I first found this church there were only six to eight people attending, now we average 40-60 per service. Miss Daisy, Alan and John Young 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members weary warrior Posted November 26, 2019 Author Members Share Posted November 26, 2019 On 11/24/2019 at 6:59 PM, Jim_Alaska said: Glad to have you back online WW. It's been some time since I heard anything from you. I kinda lost track of where you were. Didn't know if you were still in Alaska or had moved somewhere south. I any event, it's good to hear from you and even better to hear the news of the pastorate you accepted. I'll be in prayer for this ministry. Please try to keep us updated on your new ministry and any progress. Six people huh? To me this sounds like a wonderful opportunity to watch God work and reward your efforts. This reminds me of the church I am attending now here in the small town of Yreka, California. When I first found this church there were only six to eight people attending, now we average 40-60 per service. Many thanks, Jim. We are actually loading the trailer today, and pulling out in the morning. 2,800 miles. I never do anything easy, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Salyan Posted November 26, 2019 Moderators Share Posted November 26, 2019 Nasty time of year to move (if you're still coming from Alaska)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members weary warrior Posted November 26, 2019 Author Members Share Posted November 26, 2019 11 minutes ago, Salyan said: Nasty time of year to move (if you're still coming from Alaska)! We've been in Ashville, North Carolina for several months spoiling the grandbabies. Not as bad as driving from AK. Jim_Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members weary warrior Posted November 28, 2019 Author Members Share Posted November 28, 2019 Well, we are on the road finally. Made it from Ashville to central Kentucky yesterday, where we will be spending Thanksgiving with family today. Then off again early in the morning. Double checked my route again last night, I actually have another 2700 miles to go. In 5 days, or I pay extra daily for the u-haul rental. But I should be there in time for next week's Sunday service, our first service there. Alan and Jim_Alaska 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post weary warrior Posted December 10, 2019 Author Members Popular Post Share Posted December 10, 2019 We have arrived in Washington and have begun service in the church here. This last Sunday was our first Sunday, and the Lord blessed. The church has been running a steady attendance of 6 regular people for months. We had 14 here Sunday, including my son and I and 6 visitors. and there was an easy liberty to preach. I preached a short, simple message from Luke 8 on the woman who touched the hem of Christ's garment, contrasting her with all of the throng who was jostling Jesus, but never did "touch" Him. I just wanted to update everyone, and ask for continued prayes Jim_Alaska, Pastor Matt, Rebecca and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Young Posted December 10, 2019 Members Share Posted December 10, 2019 Glad to hear about your first sunday. I'm looking forward to hearing more future updates about the church and your ministry there. Alan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post weary warrior Posted December 15, 2019 Author Members Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2019 Went from 14 people last Sunday to 23 today. Had fully half of the high school wrestling team from the local public school present. And not one person is someone I myself have met and invited to church. No drums, electric guitars etc, no give-aways, no programs, no contests. The highest attendance this church has seen in the last 8 years was 14, and that was last Sunday. I don't know what God is doing, but He's the one doing it. All I can do is remain faithful, preach the truth, love these people and hang on for the ride. It's a testament to God's faithfulness that He is rewarding the faithfulness of the tiny group of 6 that have held on here for so long. I'm really feeling undeservedly blessed today. No Nicolaitans, Jim_Alaska, Alan and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators HappyChristian Posted December 20, 2019 Administrators Share Posted December 20, 2019 Yay! So glad to hear that you've found your ministry - and I'm sure the folks at the church are happy as well. What a blessing to hear about God moving. Jim_Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post weary warrior Posted January 1, 2020 Author Members Popular Post Share Posted January 1, 2020 We had a NY's fellowship last night here at the church, with games and finger food planned. Well, instead of just the core 10 church members showing up, 34 people arrived. People I had never met before. Including about 10 teenagers from town who are totally unchurched and unsaved. I spent the entire evening policing. Don't get me wrong, everyone had a great time, although the carpet in the fellowship hall may never recover. When everything was done, and all were gone, I found myself upstairs in my office at about 12:30am this morning praying. There had been no preaching, no evangelism, no "church". I had no plan or desire to provide a teen shelter, I'm not interested in intertainment or compromising for numbers. This was soooo outside of my comfort zone and realm of experience. As I prayed, trembling at my desk before God, fearful that I had somehow, unwittingly begun a path that would ultimately weaken and cheapen the church and the gospel, I was compelled to randomly flip open my Bible that was laying there in front of me. It fell open to Hosea 6:6, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice..." The Spirit gave me great comfort as I sat there in that chair, assuring me that these lost, cussing, promiscuous kids (and adults) need to be loved too, and that it's not their job to come to where we are, it's our job to go into the gutter and meet them where they are. With mercy. So yeah, the carpet downstairs may never recover. Words were said in the church building that ought not be said anywhere (yes, they were gently corrected). Public displays of affection were ended with a word and a look by me, teens were run back inside from the dark parkinglot and I ended the night a nervous wreck. A joyful, amazed, exhausted nervous wreck. (Kids are not my thing) A number of people have said they will difinitely be in church Sunday because of last night, a service which is held upstairs, which does produce the truth and gospel without reserve, without compromise. So, in the end, I left my study fully at peace, went to bed and slept like an exhausted baby. HappyChristian, wretched, Alan and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Jim_Alaska Posted January 1, 2020 Administrators Share Posted January 1, 2020 It sounds like the exposure that some of those unchurched people had may just bear fruit in time to come. I will pray to that end. Alan, wretched and Blessed Mama of 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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