I still remember wrestling with God in an upper-row seat at a mission’s conference in Brasov, Romania. I had left my home and base (Air Force) in Mildenhall, England to help minister to missionaries gathering from all over Eastern Europe. I had no idea God was going to call me into the ministry, and when He did, I wrestled with my own agenda and pride (I still continually subdue that). I remember when I surrendered to Christ, I remember when I was baptized, and I remember surrendering to God’s will for my life in ministry! This has been a sustaining force in my ministry.

Getting to Bible College was no easy journey after I left the military, and finishing was no easy task either! There are a few who can relate to this: I started out single; by the time I graduated four years later, I was married and had two children! None of this was possible without the grace of God and the deep conviction of knowing with certainty that God had called me to this task! Romans 11:29 states, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

I graduated Bible College like most of my friends, wondering “what now?” With high expectations God opened a door, and I prayerfully entered. Within a year, a major doctrinal issue tore through the church, and I resigned based on Biblical conviction. It was not what I had in mind when I dreamed of what God would do with me in the ministry at Bible College.

Within a month, after leaving my first church, God opened the door to our second ministry. Within two months of being hired, the senior pastor left for moral reasons and I found myself pastoring a split and broken church. Again, not what I imagined sitting in classes at Bible College. Praise the Lord we left that church in good hands a year later and healing well.

I now find myself with almost five years as a senior pastor in a growing church. I have thicker skin and am on my knees more often! If nothing so far has resonated with you, I believe this will: the spirit of apathy within the church will steal your passion if you forget for one second from where you receive your joy and approval! We live in a changing spiritual climate; unfortunately the tide is moving away from radical faith.

Experience is teaching me that the called of God, those who are most passionate about the things of God, need to be prayer warriors more than ever! To my own detriment, I’ve learned from experience that passionate people can be prone to change programs, find fresh ideas, and shake things up in order to stir up the people. Not that these things aren’t needed, but nothing can change people but the Word of God and prayer! Intercessory prayer is our greatest weapon!

I think there’s been too much American ideology in me. I left Bible College wanting to build and grow a dynamic church! What I’ve discovered is that we’re in a greater “spiritual battle” then I ever imagined. The fighting is intense, the battle is messy, and there is no room for pride. I just need to be faithful! Please feel free to contact me. I would love to share in some prayer time!
 

In Him,
Denver Ayres
pastorayres@fbcvalpo.org