FAITH: Stepping Out of the Boat

As I read and understand the Scriptures, FAITH is less about what you believe and more about how you live what you believe.  In essence, FAITH is more about actions.  For years, I have preached that walking on water requires getting out of the boat.  Nothing great has ever happened for the kingdom by people who merely sit in the boat and stay in their comfort zones.  I am certainly not one to stay in the comfort zone.

Back in April of this year, Natalie and I both felt the winds of change blowing, but didn’t know what that meant at the time.  The more we prayed and sought God in the manner, the more we felt that it had to do with us.  While on vacation at the end of May, first of June, we felt as if our direction was being made more clear.  We continued to pray, fast, and seek the Lord for more answers and direction. 

I personally, spent many sleepless nights and many weeks under great stress and restlessness.  One of those days in late August, I was greeted by a text message from a prayer warrior in my life.  The text basically said that God was instructing me to rest and nap during the day as He was reserving the night for Himself.  As tired as I was, I wasn’t about to miss this opportunity to sit still and quietly before the Lord in solitude and listen for His voice.  Little did I know that this would be the night that solidified our future plans for my family and ministry.  During those early morning hours, God revealed to my heart His desire for me to let go of Bridges of Hope and step out of the boat.  He gave me the date of my resignation and the date of my last service.  After hearing His plan, I drifted off to sleep for more than 12 hours straight.  Since that day, Natalie and I have been filled with total peace and faith in trusting God’s plan for our lives.  We KNOW that this is God’s will for us and Bridges of Hope Fellowship! 

Following that night, I cannot begin to tell you the numbers of phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook messages, face to face conversations, sermons, songs, etc. that God has used to confirm His Word to us over and over again.

Today, I stood and gave a message that God had placed on my heart about “Changing Seasons,” which can be viewed in it’s entirety at www.GetHopeOnline.info.   At the end of the message, I shared what I will call my “letter of resignation” and it reads:

“I planted my first church in Athens, TN and was there for 4 ½ years when God spoke to my heart after a prayer revival in May of 2005 and told me I was finished.  I had no idea what I was going to do.  Little did I know that He was preparing to send me to McMinnville in September of 2005 as the pastor of an established church.  One year later, God had brought that short season to a close and opened a new season of HOPE as we stepped out in faith to plant what we know today as Bridges of Hope Fellowship.

These past 7 years have been filled with many blessings, hardships, laughter and tears.  However, every step along the journey has been God ordained.  There have been many people to come and many to go.  Very few have stayed the course with us from our first days at the Best Western Hotel on Sparta Street.  Regardless, each person that God has allowed to walk with us on any step of the journey has been a true blessing and joy in our lives. 

Today, God is changing our seasons again.  Embracing that change is never easy, but a must if we are going to stay in the will of God and fulfill the mission that God has us on.  It is after much prayer, fasting, sleepless nights, and time in the presence of the Lord that I must share with you that I am resigning as pastor of Bridges of Hope Fellowship.  My last Sunday with you will be on October the 13^th, our 7 year anniversary.  It has nothing to do with money, another church, or any problems or people.  It is directly the expressed will of God in my life.  We have no idea what the future holds for us as we cannot see the next step, but are solely stepping out of the boat and walking by faith into the next ministry assignment that God has waiting for us.

The elders knew nothing of this until 2 weeks ago, when I boldy heard from the Lord as to what I had to do.  They nor I knew what God had planned for either of us.

We are currently praying and planning for the days ahead and will be sharing more information with you weekly as we approach the 7 year anniversary.  So, let me encourage you to make every effort to be in attendance each week as we walk through this countdown in our remaining weeks together.  Let’s take full advantage of every opportunity given to us by God during these next 4 weeks.

The difficulty for us as humans is when God changes our seasons and we don’t understand why.  Remember that God’s ways are not our ways, but they are higher than ours.  Even when we don’t understand His plans, we must trust His will and desires for us.

Our family wants you to know how much we love you and are grateful for how you have loved us.  A huge part of us will always be at Bridges of Hope as we are sent out as missionaries on a journey for the Lord.  We are asking you to please stand by us as we make this transition and to continue to stand by YOUR church as it progresses forward to reach Warren County with the love of Jesus Christ.  The church is not about a man or a personality, but rather the body of Christ worshipping the Risen Christ.”

As stated, we have no idea that next step of the journey that God has for our family.  All we know is that we are to follow Him in FAITH and OBEDIENCE as we journey each step of the way.  Soon, it shall be revealed.  I am confident of that one thing.

Until then, we simply ask for the prayers and support of our family, friends, church family, and all those who have stood by us throughout the years.  God has a BIG plan!  

With great FAITH and lots of LOVE,

Pastor DeWayne, Natalie, and Dwight
Jeremiah 29:11