In 1991, I found myself in one of the hardest seasons of my life. I was hurting, lonely, and confused — wondering where the people of God were and why every door seemed to close in my face. I had reached out for help, but each time, God allowed rejection to teach me that even when He says no, He’s still good.
One Wednesday night, desperate for direction, I prayed a simple but bold prayer:
“God, put someone in my path who doesn’t know me, and let them confirm what You’ve already told me.”
That night, the phone rang. It was a woman named Pastor Deanna — a stranger who had never met me. She called to pass along a message about a family matter, but before hanging up, she paused and said,
“God told me to tell you — the answer is YES.”
Right there in my bedroom, I had church. I wept, praised, and realized that God had heard me.
From that moment, my life began to shift. I saw miracles unfold — a broken refrigerator that suddenly made ice, a car with a dead alternator that started through prayer, and unexpected provision when I had nothing left. God showed me that He is still a miracle worker, not just in Bible times, but right now.
Years later, as I stood to preach about honoring pastors and the gift of spiritual leadership, I understood why God had led me through those trials. Every “no” prepared me to hear His “yes.” Every closed door was divine protection. Every hardship was a setup for a testimony.
Because God’s plan has always been to reveal His love, restore His people, and raise up pastors after His own heart — those who feed His people with knowledge, understanding, and compassion.
Today, I celebrate the faithfulness of God — the One who can turn loneliness into purpose, pain into praise, and problems into platforms for His glory.