Gweru, Zimbabwe, 1993. On a trip from South Africa to Zimbabwe a friend told me to stop by and visit an older missionary couple. Over afternoon tea, my prayers for the future changed. They’d spent more than 30 years in one place. They’d planted over 300 churches. Their influence had changed that entire region of Zimbabwe.

From that day I began to pray, “God, can I be the guy who stays in one place his entire career? God, can I be part of calling men out, equipping them to serve, and planting new churches?”

Zuurbekom, South Africa, 1993. A missionary friend asked me to teach his class of pastors. Though I enjoyed the many and varied roles I’d performed as a missionary, this was unlike any other experience I’d had. So humbling, so inspiring. Me, a 23 year old kid, “teaching” these saintly servants of the church. I’d discovered a special affection and affinity for serving pastors.

From that day I began to pray, “God, wherever you call me, whatever I do, can I continue loving pastors? Can I continue serving pastors through encouragement and training?”

Venus, Texas, 2005. I shared the first of what would become countless phone calls with a man who would quickly become a mentor and friend. Before hanging up I quipped, “Wouldn’t it be great if God would allow Nebraska churches to raise up pastors from within so we wouldn’t have to import Texas Yehus like me?”

From that day I began to pray, “God, whenever you call me from this pastorate, would you be so gracious as that we might raise up the next pastor from within?”

Lincoln, Nebraska, 2022. Though I’d imagined I’d serve my church until retirement from vocational ministry, I have a clear, new calling. Beginning this March, I’ll be the Associational Mission Strategist for our region of cooperative Southern Baptist churches. Though the position is new to me, it’s a call rooted in decades of prayers and God’s faithfulness.

I’ll assist in planting new churches, I’ll help existing churches stay healthy, and I’ll coach and encourage pastors and ministry leaders. I’ll be a servant of our churches. It’ll be a joy.

And my third prayer—raising up a pastor from within?

God did that too. We are thrilled to have an amazing, younger pastor who has served this past year as our pastoral resident. He’ll become our interim pastor. We are prayerful and expectant for his future ministry.

One guy. Three decades. Three prayers. God’s faithfulness.

Thanks for joining me, Dear Reader. Follow the links to learn more about my beloved church, Southview, or my new position at the Heartland Church Network.