I asked God to see through His eyes, so He made me a pastor.
I asked God to help me understand His grace, so He sent me addicts and alcoholics, and then he let me watch them relapse.
I asked God to help me love like He loves, so He sent me the homosexual who has been made an outcast by society….and even churches
I asked God to help me understand His patience, so He sent me the greedy who are more concerned with themselves than their neighbor
I asked God to help me understand His forgiveness, so He sent me parents of wayward children
I asked God to know His mercy, so He sent me the self-righteous
I asked God to understand His promises, so He sent me couples who are struggling in their marriage
I asked God to show me who I really am; He told me to simply open my eyes and look around me
The greatest pleasure of my life is to pastor New Passion Church and to serve as the manager of a local substance abuse program. Everyday I have the opportunity to share life with people who struggle to make it each day; they are messy, they are broken, and they definitely aren’t big on social graces….they are human. My daily experiences have shown me God in ways I would have never seen Him, doing anything else. The gospel is a beautiful and powerful message. I am grateful God has called me to pastor myself through many different people.
I have been looking for a true church that I can call home again. When I was a child I loved and lived at my church, devouring every word . To the extent of going to adult church sitting quietly and writing down every word to take back to my mother who worked on Sundays. When I was 14 I had issues with myself and my sexuality so I went to my youth leader and they went to the pastor . I was hoping to have someone to talk to because it was really bothering me o could not find the answers I was looking for. So when the pastor came and asked me to leave the church because of my questions and my preference his words not mine I was devestated. And truly had a hard time dealing with this. I was pushed out so I guess I pushed the church not God away. For I have always felt God near so that has been 27 years ago . I still find myself looking for a Christian family it’s a whole I feel never closes in one’s life . Thanks for listening and if I am bothering you with this story i do apologize . But your blog touched me and I needed to tell you that . I hope that there is never a day you or your church turn away a child because of questions, or there preference. Thanks
Melvin, I am sorry I am just getting your comment. I appreciate your courage to share your story with me. I don’t know what area you are from, but I pray you will find a church that will embrace you with God’s love. Thank you for your encouragement. Our desire is to be a church that loves all people and helps them along life’s journey, no matter the tough questions or issues they are dealing with. Be encouraged that not all churches are like the one you encountered, so keep looking, but most of all keep pursuing Jesus. He loves you and desires to know you and for you to know Him. – Nick
This blog is amazing. I’ve been speaking with Bryan Hensley a good bit as I know he speaks on addiction. I am currently in recovery and was so glad to see this blog. I hope you continue in your pursuit in this as so many of us are affected by this disease. But not all know that there is freedom in Christ! So I hope you continue to reach those still suffering! God Bless!