Leaders Experience a Revived Relationship with God!

The following are real-life stories of God at work in the lives of pastors and leaders. We praise the Lord for the way he is restoring lives through Life Action's outreaches.

• As a full-time minister, I had become burned out and bitter, which led to anger, hurt, and a host of other sins. I wanted out of ministry, and to live a rebellious lifestyle. God is breaking me of my sin and revolt, and I know He isn't done with me. Thank you for being real and cutting through the "church" façade. Praise God for His grace through Jesus Christ!

• Rarely do I, as a pastor, have a prolonged time of introspection coupled with biblical teaching that expected my obedience. Thank you for reminding me that I'm the chief of all sinners. You've offered me a much needed sabbatical. I've personally dealt with some bitterness I was unaware of, my family's and my wife's needs, and some long-forgotten things from my past. I'm clearing my conscience of them.

• God found me dry and desperate. For eight years I longed to see God work in my church. I wanted to see excitement, encouragement, and lives changed. The team is serious about prayer. They seemed to like nothing better than to pray. It has so blessed, encouraged, and challenged me to pray with them. They live prayerful lives. I have been convicted about my lack of prayer. Now, I see a revived staff. I'm seeing people who've never witnessed for Christ share their faith. We are just seeing the beginnings of a work of God.

• God found me thinking that because I was a pastor's wife, I had it all together. God has shown me the past two weeks that I am saturated with pride. He began showing me that by bringing to mind many people from years ago that I need to make amends with. I'm embarrassed to say, I was more desperate for my favorite TV shows than for time with God. I just want to thank the Lord for graciously speaking to me during the summit. It has truly been life changing in my relationship with Jesus, my marriage, and my family.

• As a minister, I realized that my relationship with other staff members is crucial to the success of our ministry. God has convicted me of my attitude and pride in relation to others.

• God has moved in my heart this week as I have waited patiently for Him. Normally, I am so busy with many church activities and responding to needs of others that I do not pause and spend time in an intimate, close fellowship with God. When I do go home, I have been turning to artificial substitutes like TV (I love ESPN and sports), my wife, my best friend, and food to satisfy my soul. It makes no sense that I would turn to these idols, but sometimes I just get so weary, discouraged, or frustrated that I just want time for myself. This week has been different. I have returned to my first love, and I never want to leave Him again. My soul is refreshed and revived, and I want to glorify Him by sharing this living water with others.

• God found me in a state of abandoning my family as their spiritual leader. And that diminished my effectiveness as an elder of the church. I had to be something for the congregation that I wasn't providing at home.

• This is not the church it was two weeks ago; I am not the same pastor I was two weeks ago. There is a new joy and peace in my life!

• It has been a long time since I was free to worship. As a staff member, unfortunately, Sunday has been a work day. The Lord has revealed several sins that I have repented from. As I close in on the 19th year as a youth pastor, the Lord has renewed my call. Before this week I was out looking for a young youth pastor who would become my replacement, but through this week and through this team, the Lord has shown me He is not through with me yet. Praise God!

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