Present at the Creation

Tonight Marlene and I attended the inaugural meeting of Keep Believing Ministries (KBM). Eight years ago I began to write in my journal a dream for starting this ministry. Many times since then I thought about it and prayed about it and once or twice almost got it started. Several months ago we concluded that the time had finally come. We began by asking six people to join me on the initial board:
David Hoy (Elmhurst, IL)
Brian Bill (Pontiac, IL)
MaryAnn Spiegel (Elmhurst, IL)
Cliff Raad (Forest Park, IL)
Peter Faulkner (Charleston, WV)
Alan Pritchard (Tupelo, MS)
Five of us plus Marlene gathered in Dave Hoy’s office in Oak Park for the meeting. Alan and Peter joined us by conference call. We began with a devotional taken from Genesis 12:1-3, the call of Abraham in Ur of the Chaldees. In considering the great promises given to him by God, I reminded everyone that Hebrews 11:8 says he stepped out in faith, leaving behind safety and security, and set out for the Promised Land, “not knowing where he was going.” That’s always the way it is when we start any work for the Lord. Even when we know God is calling us, we still don’t know exactly where we are going, where we will end up, or exactly how we will get there. Then I shared this quote from Oswald Chambers: “The call of God embarrasses us because of two things–it presents us with sealed orders and urges us to a vast venture.” Every new movement for God starts with those two things–sealed orders and a call to a vast venture.
I went into the meeting wondering how it would go because KBM is a new venture, definitely my first-ever inaugural board meting of a new organization. When I left, I told Marlene it was one of the most exciting meetings I had ever been part of. I left with a profound sense that God was at work in the midst of our laughter, sharing, prayers, plans and dreams. There was a sense of enthusiasm, commitment, excitement, wisdom, and just plain fun. There is a good blend of age and youth and a nice mix of gifts on the board. Marlene and I both felt excited about what happened.
We’re off to a great start. I can’t wait to see how God leads us onward from here. Before long I hope to tell you much more about the work of KBM and our first project (hint: It involves China).