Travels and Trust
Well, after being thuroughly shamed by my dear wife (who posted twice in the past week) concerning my lack of posting anything, and considering the significant stuff going on for us, I figured I should post something of interest.
Job Hunt – The most significant issue right now is that I am searching for a new job. The church here in Milledgeville decided that the Lord was leading them in a different direction. There was no bad situation or hard feelings. They simply sensed the Lord directing them to end the interim period. (I have only been the interim pastor for these last two years.) So they followed that direction, as did I, and our last Sunday at Covenant was March 30th. (That also happened to be the day Ezekiel was dedicated to the Lord, but I’ll let Anna blog that.) Since that time we have been seeking the Lord’s guidance about the next step for us. A matter of trust to be sure. But our Heavenly Father has not failed us yet, and I don’t expect him to begin now. 
I would kind of like to work under a more experienced minister so as to learn some more skills and “day to day” shepherding responsibilities. But God knows best.
Michigan – We went to a beautiful part of Michigan to interview for a pastoral job there. It was in a very “small town” kind of area, with orchards everywhere, and very pleasant lakes and rolling hills. The people in the church were very kind and we had a wonderful time. However, in the end, they decided not to call us. But there is still much love between they and us and we hope to visit again someday.
Minnesota – We went to visit an inner-city church in Minneapolis, and to discover more about a job as the director of community outreach. The church is built around a large bus ministry, and we had a good time learning about their ministry and participating in it. They reach out to inner-city kids, who don’t have much Christian influence or understanding. They proclaim the gospel to these kids, which is a worth while pursuit. Right now we have some cautions in our hearts about moving there, but we will continue to pray about this. It looks like they are interested in bringing us up there.
Thoughts – What else can I say? It’s a little scary to look at my wife and son and not know where I will be working next week, or if I will be working at all. 
There are a couple guys we know who are helping me and giving me work for this in-between time. But I still kind of wonder if I may be headed for a long desert when it comes to vocational ministry. But then again, maybe that is just my fear talking.
Then I sort of wonder if this time in history, in the plan God has for his Church, will require pastors to be bi-vocational. If perhaps the congregations of true Believers will be so small and scattered that they will not be able to support the work of a minister full time. Many of the solid congregations and pastors that I know are very small. (Many, not all.) I’m not suggesting that large churches are not truly Biblical Christians. But it seems that many of the big churches get caught in the “lots of programs to keep ’em busy – get ’em in the church with rock music and dancing girls – water down the truth – neglect the needs of fathers/men” kind of modern philosophies. I simply do not follow that line of thinking, and it seems like quite a task to find a church that we fit with that can also support the work of a full time pastor. (And a church that doesn’t mind having a 28 year old who never went to “seminary” to be their pastor.) But……..
I don’t know about you, but I serve the God of the Impossible Task! 
Surely if the Lord can make the Red Sea part, if he can walk on water, if he can provide a meal for 5,000 men and their families from only a sack lunch, if he can bring thousands to to himself on the day of Pentecost, if he can use a man named Wesley to alter a culture and avert a revolution, if he can protect missionaries the world over from the attacks of demons……and if he can save an evil wicked sinner like me and bring me forth into the path of light…..surely finding me a job and providing for my family is no big deal. 
Thank you Lord Jesus! Amen!
About The Author
Preacher Dad
Jarod has been a pastor, construction worker, restaurant manager, ministry administrator, children's story teller, author....in no particular order. At heart he is passionate about the Truth, and has been called to proclaim that Truth from an early age. He is committed to his wife and eight children, and seeks to have a lasting impact upon the future by discipling his family. He blogs at PreacherDad.com on parenting, preparing, and cultural impact.
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I love your concluding thoughts to this post, and they are so true: God WILL provide!
Oh, Terry and I know so well how you feel – we really do! A few days before our wedding last year he ended up in the hospital and had to cancel his summer internship, leaving us with no income (except for the sale of my car), yet continuing medical bills, for nearly four months. For various reasons, including our location, it was also impossible for me to teach piano during that time. Following that, we had a VERY modest (scholarship) stipend on which to live until the year, and moving 1000 miles from home immediately afterward required us to pay thousands of dollars up front for moving expenses, first month apartment rental plus deposit (the same amount as the $1300 monthly rental!), and many other unexpected fees and expenses such as our $80 state inspection sticker. Just getting to the end of last year without a major emergency surgery, with Terry’s condition, was a miracle and huge answer to prayer, though! We felt as you do – not having income and completely uncertain as to whether or when we would have any in the future, because of Terry’s health. I was fully preparing myself for the possibility of using my newly-acquired teaching degree to pay the bills.
Sorry about the long comment, but this post struck so close to home, and Terry and I can attest to the fact that God takes care of His own. We are reminding ourselves that, even with a regular income now, we are STILL very dependent on HIM! May yours and Anna’s faith be strengthened during this time, and may your hearts be encouraged in Him. Know that you are in our prayers!
P.S. We’re debt free – driving an old oldsmobile, but after all that – free of debt! 😮
Well when you say it that way… 😉 you’re right – not so big of a deal for Him.
-Laura
Jarod, I really appreciate your God-honoring attitude. Your post hits very close to home for me, too. In April 2004 Vern was laid off. He did some substitute teaching, applied for several promising positions and ended up working as a nurses aide for a year in a nursing home, before the Lord saw fit to sell our home in MN and move us back to GA.
During this time, we were blessed with our sixth child, James, who is extra special, with Down syndrome who needed a number of medical interventions and who, just after our house finally sold, was diagnosed with leukemia! Through it all, God was incredibly faithful to us, meeting EVERY need we had and more. We never incurred any debt and now, four years after Vern’s layoff, we are moved and, by God’s mercy and provision all the way (through the generosity of his saints, who are his visible hands and feet), we don’t even have a mortgage. Our family is closer (though not perfect), our faith is deeper and surer (though not perfect).
Some of the children and I were talking just the other day about how incredible the Lord’s provision was during that time to be able to make the trip to GA for your wedding and how different things might have been had you and Anna decided to marry in March instead of January (I know you and Anna have talked about that too).
So, in hindsight, I wouldn’t trade a day of the last four years, the Lord has used them all for our good and his glory. And, as you have already said, he will certainly do the same for you!
You and your family are often in our thoughts and our prayers!
you da man!!
Praise God– you’re looking in the right Direction. =) So, “trust” you say. Amen! How is the trusting different now from when you were, say, my age? or has it even changed that much? In a sense, I wouldn’t think it does change…
And to Angie and Stephanie: I don’t believe we’ve met, but great replies!
Thanks for the post Jarod!