Everything Changes

I suppose we should have expected it. '~'

Spiritual warfare is part of doing ministry. Three weeks ago, our young adult ministry hosted a prayerwalk around our city, pulling down the spiritual walls and taking back our community for Christ. One week ago, our young adult pastor announced his resignation. Our ministry was pulled apart overnight. :(

During this week, those of us who are left have been trying to pick up the pieces and move on. The other pastors in our church are going to keep our services going, but many of the student leaders left with the pastor. Friday night, I was at a meeting with the prayer warriors and leaders of The River, our prayer ministry. Among the things we talked and prayed about, the ministry was our main focus. But then, another change was announced. The two men leading our prayer ministry told us that they too, were going to step down from leadership.

Before I had time to realize what was going on, one of the guys, Nick, started talking about the people he had to take over different aspects of his ministry. When it came to The River, he said that could be taken over by any Spirit-filled believer who was on fire for the Lord, but he was looking right at me!! :O He talked about how it was like Elijah passing on the cloak (and his ministry) to Elisha. I started in with a "Wait a minute!", but it was time for us to start praying, so I didn't get to talk to him right then. As we prayed, God confirmed to me that this was what He wanted as well. I told the group that I really didn't feel prepared for this, but the other guy said that he felt I was ready, and the rest of them circled around, laid hands on me, and prayed. I spent a couple hours after that, out driving and talking with God. If He wants me here, I have to obey, despite how I feel.

So here I am, suddenly in charge of a ministry I never considered before. And I find myself having to do this without the people who have taught me everything about it, without the guidance and strength I had gotten used to leaning on. Now, it's just Jesus and me, and the team that has chosen to stay behind. But Elisha didn't begin his ministry until Elijah left (2 Kings 2), so maybe this needs to be the same way. My friends, I need prayer!

"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. 'Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,' he said, 'and then I will come with you.'" -- 1 Kings 19:19-20a (NIV)