Have You Ever Wondered?

1. How your Pastor came to know the Lord?
• retreat
• realized I not only needed Christ, but He wanted to be Lord of my life
• saved at Youth Camp
• saved at Jr High Youth Camp
• think Youth Camp's not that important?
• Youth Camp a time of Spiritual growth
• 6 yr old under the ministry of Leroy Blankenship at a tent meeting
• following discharge from USN, married with a son, a college education, work experience
• could not find employment
• came under conviction of the Word when parents took me to a Bible believing church
• black and white silent film on Christ's passion
• raised in the church
• gave my life to God as a "living sacrifice" age 15
• accepted Christ at age seven
• accepted Christ at age five
• accepted Christ at age twelve
2. Apart from salvation, sanctification, etc., what his(her) biggest victory has been?
• having a Christian wife and family
• allowing God to have control over negative emotions
• my call to ministry
• upon preparing for missions trip realized my funding was short
• God provided to the penny through a stranger
• assurance of faith
• teaching Bible College
• initiating ministry for street children in the capital of Ethiopia
• pioneering Bible school for adults in rural Ethiopia
• self-acceptance
• giving in to God's Will of wanting me in the ministry
3. What particular service stands out in their mind? And why?
• revival
• ordination- satan was defeated!
• leading a church camp and sensing God's Presence
• I received my call to the ministry
• the one in which I accepted Christ
• I received a call to Bible School
• struggling with "Yes, Lord, Yes"
• recommitted my life to Christ
• every one in which God moves
• Church Council meeting
• compromise reached in spirit of unity and understanding
4. What is their favorite hymn? And why?
• The Old Rugged Cross
• the words bless my heart
• reminds me of Christ's sacrifice for me
• Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
• gives God praise
• How Great Thou Art
• God IS Great!
• Creator
• Redeemer
• Friend
• Wonderful Grace of Jesus
• I am more aware of God's Grace than ever before
• He Lives
• God is always victorious!
• Spirit Say
• prayerful, uplifting
• And Can it Be
• Amazing Love
• A Mighty Fortress is our God
• strength and assurance
• written by someone who lived the words:
• "let goods and kindred go
• this mortal life also
• the body they may kill
• God's Truth abideth still
• His Kingdom is forever"
5. What you might do to show you appreciate him(her)
• attend regularly!
• send us on a mission trip
• send me a letter and tell me how your life has been blessed because of our ministry
• send me a gift certificate to treat my spouse to a wonderful dinner
• be in total obedience to God our Father
• hearts eager to worship
• gift certificates
• a card
• present your gifts to God!
• Spiritual Growth
• inviting others
• witnessing
• reading the Word
6. What struggles does he(she) have?
• allowing God's Word to inspire my own life
• balancing time
• putting God first
• procrastination
• sin!
• involvement in too many good works
• lack of Spiritual growth in my own life
• How do we...?
• reach our community?
• move into Christ's fullness?
• patience
• "Patience is a virtue
  Catch it if you can
  Often found in women
  
But never found in men"
7. In what circumstances is it most difficult to be Christ-like?
• when I let my guard down
• self sacrifice
• flesh gets in the way and I forget why I'm here
• patience with family
• driving
• satan always varies the circumstances according to my weakness at the moment
• anger
• back-biting
• especialiy when family member is wronged
• possible stolen property by crooked moving company
8. An incident where he(she) wondered: "where is God?"
• when I tried to hide from Him and His call
• instance where many new Christians left the church
• pastoring a very rigid, demanding, and critical church
• resistance from "wolves in sheep's clothing"
• loneliness
1. What reassurred them?
• brothers and sisters in Christ came from "nowhere" to lift up my arms
• God is always there
• vastness of stars in the night sky- I felt His Presence again
• the reminder from God's Word: He will never leave me nor forsake me
• God is my Refuge and my Strength
• having my calling to the pastorate confirmed
9. If Jesus were to return today- what would they like Him to find them doing?
• serving Him wherever I am
• serving others
• at home loving my spouse
• in prayer
• reading His Word
• working with the lost
• listening to or helping someone in some way
• faithful in whatever task Christ has assigned me to at the momoent
• sleeping soundly after a powerful worship service
10. What is the best advice they can give you from their own personal life?
• PRESS ON
• DITTO!
• DITTO!
• find someone to hold you accountable
• whatever works best for you
• do your devotions first
• be consistant
• build it into your routine
• first-remember you are not alone- we all struggle
• ask God to give you a heartfelt desire to study His Word
• find an accountability partner
• pray without ceasing
• don't try to play "catch up"-take up where you left off