I started our church with three people.
I had seen and heard greatness, I had been around greatness, and I had felt greatness beating in my heart. Yet, we started a church with three people in a warehouse, hanging shower curtains on a back wall over a loading dock, not looking like anything you’ve ever seen or pictured that would resemble a church. In fact, the people I started it with certainly were not “prized” members.
For example, one of our first members was an Italian guy who played drums. Problem was, he loved to drink, so every Sunday morning, like clockwork, our routine would begin. My drunk Italian drummer would show up and I’d pour coffee down his throat to get him to sober up enough for Praise & Worship! I felt like David when he was put in the cave with people who were broke, disgusted, disgruntled, and in debt. Yet the Bible says e did not become like them…he made all of them like him.
Can you move into a culture that is not like you, and change the whole culture instead of being changed by it?
This principle radically changed my life. Today in our Ministry, we have been graced enough to affect missions ministries in 40 countries, to have over 1,300 ministers in a ministerial fellowship around the world, to lead over 14,000 members in a local body with international television and internet exposure, and direct & mobilize over 150 ministries within our local church that serve and impact our city and region every day. All of that grew out of a little warehouse covered with shower curtains and three people…a big thing, inside of a small thing.
I had to manage one hundred well, before I could manage five hundred. I had to manage five hundred well before I could manage a thousand. Remember, life is lived on levels and experienced in stages. I had to be faithful leading a thousand before I could move to five thousand. I had to keep the shower curtains clean and the metal building swept out…before we could have the brick buildings with real walls.
Everything was a test of my faithfulness on a prior level, before I was moved by God to another level at which to operate. Faithfulness on one level always moves you to new levels.
Awesome post….
He did not become like them…he made all of them like him. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some (I Corinthians 9:22)
Your faithfulness is an inspiration!
So many good points in this posting, The ones I learned is to;never depsise small beginnings, do not conform to the image of your surroundings , Be Yeast! and most important stay faithful in what God has called you no matter what.
Very inspirational!
Thank you for writing this!! It came when I needed to hear this. It made me cry!! Thank you for being so transparent with us and telling us the truth. We are stronger because of you and ‘Him’ in you!!! The Lord really lifted my head this evening through you!!
I saw you listening to your Gamecocks on the radio behind that shower curtain as they were losing to Duke. I also remember those early days before the first service when you told me how you were determined to build a church the right way, without the constraints of failed traditions, spiritual laziness or selfish ambition. My how it has paid off as you followed the principles in Isaiah 54:2.
Ron I wish I can meet you in person. Here in South Africa we need men that would stand firm for The KING. I listen to you every Sunday and I,m ready to look the world in the eyes and continue with my ministry. I,m a ordained Pastor but was ask to leave because of my radical preaching. We are waiting for a assignment to work for God.God bless you and youre ministry in 2010.Regards, Kobus Flemix South Africa.PS When do you tend to visit us.
My family and I would listen to you no matter what.
Thank you again for a Word that draws us closer to understanding The Kingdom of God.
I witnessed the growth of RWOC….through the Grace of God and through your faithfulness. I praise Him for allowing me to experience it all for a time…so that now, at this time, a bit later in my life, I would finally ‘get it’.
Bless you, your sweet wife and beautiful family, and RWOC this New Year!
God truly is amazing and I praise Him!
I truly thank God for you. Your teaching on relationship is healing my heart little by little. Teaching me who, what, when and how. Things I should have learned when I was a youth. I am starting to learn at the age of 57. It is never to late to change. God’s mercy and grace is following me all the days of my life. And I will continue to praise and worship forever and ever. Thank you Ron for being willing and obedient.
What a mighty God we serve!
I thank God that I listen to your sermon this
morning it move me to go to church and started my year fresh being throug out of church hit me very hard and I decided just to stay home because it was so painful but afther listening to you I decided that God still loves me and have a plan for my life .
I stayed home from church and I listened to you talk about the kingdom is at hand. I am being freed everytime I understand the truth. Getting rid of traditional teachings of religion replacing them with understanding the parables meant for deciples, students diligently seeking God. I would like you to teach on Malachi so as to free people from the bondage of guilt concerning tithe. Who was God talking to?
Thank you for this message.
enjoyed r illustration oof the dog and the collar, ie about bondage not just spiritual but also mental, will love listenig to you.
As a assistant pastor of a small church, i find great inspiration in your posts! They have turned up the fire in me to succeed. Thank you for being a breath of fresh air. We are praying for RWOC.
The vast majority of what God does is accomplished in secret, but will in fact resonate in eternity to God’s glory.
I find it both strange and odd that much of what God’s leaders now focus on is who they are (i.e., “Apostle”), and what they have done for God. Where are those leaders who glory only in Christ and are jealous for His honor alone?
ron, u do an awesome work for the lord…
i myself have learned soo much from watching u on the internet and tv….iam a divorce care leader @ local church in my area and wanted to teach on your series relationships 101 [very powerful and full of truth] they said it was to strong for their church…and u wonder why the divorce rate will continune to rise……..
p.s love your shirts………………
Ron, I think (unknown christian) misunderstood your intentions. Nevertheless, you ‘re such an inspiration to me. Your simplicity in dressing and your level of rapport with the church you Pastor exemplifies absolute humility. As an ordained Apostle too, I have learn a lot through you. Bless u.
I want to start blogging too, what do you think, which blog cms is good for beginner?
Try Wordpress.