Why do we do this ministry?
Our goals in offering the services described on this web site are to disciple Christians in God's ways. Many of the lessons we teach are those learned in hard times. Steve writes in the introductory chapter:
I was born in Fort Worth, Texas. I was baptized and raised Lutheran. Like most Lutheran kids, I went through confirmation classes and was confirmed. At this point, I believed what I was taught in the classes, but I had trouble reconciling it with what I was taught in public schools. I did not understand that faith should lead to a difference in the way I lived. I spent a good deal of time reading in apologetics and end times, thinking that learning was the key, rather than trusting God.
When I went off to college, I started out searching for a place to join with other Christians in the worship of God and in fellowship, but I did not find a church like my home church and eventually I quit looking. I worked my way through college. I was "successful," bought a house, had a nice bank account, graduated with a Ph.D. Jesus was my Savior, but away from the encouragement of Christian brothers and sisters, that faith had little effect on my everyday life.
In the fall of 1981, I started going to church with my fiance because it would be a good place to raise a family. We were looking forward to having kids.
We were married in January, 1982. Three weeks later, my wife became seriously ill. This problem was bigger than me. The finances were ruined; I had some checks bounce for the first time. This experience really damaged my ego. I had thought I could handle anything that the world could throw at me without help from God or others. My wife was hospitalized five months. During this time, I decided I needed God. I spent more time in His Word. I started contributing more than just a few dollars a week to church.
Late in 1982, our lifestyle had to be adjusted after my wife's release from the hospital. This involved a nurse's aide for ten hours a day so that I could go to work, which is rather expensive. This was a lot easier when my wife's employer changed insurance companies and the group insurance began paying for the home health care.
However, in March of 1984, the insurance company decided that home health care was not really covered. They sent a very polite letter requesting that over $20,000 be returned. I turned to the Bible for guidance. When I hit bottom, my pride was broken, at least temporarily. At that point, I let go and began trying to follow God's direction. Before this time, I believed that God loved me and was all powerful. What I had not realized was that His Word provides an operating manual for my life. The scripture I found that was really key was Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
In the winter of 1985, my wife entered a nursing home. The cost was about the same as the nurse's aide, so this was not a big change financially.
A real challenge to my faith in this occurred in September, 1986 The nursing home decided they could not handle my wife and gave me ten days to get her out. The new nursing home was about $600 per month more expensive. There really was not income available to cover this increased expense, but for a few months I made it using up the meager savings I had managed to accumulate over the last couple of years. However, at my review for year-end bonus, which normally does not result in salary adjustments, I was told that I was not being paid enough! What a surprise blessing! I was just hoping for enough of a bonus to pay the nursing home for a few more months, not knowing what I would do when that ran out. This must have been divine intervention.
One of the many things I learned in the spring of 1984 was that God does not want His people to be in debt. By May of 1987, the last debt other than the mortgage was paid off but I was attacked before I could witness about it: an expensive car repair, and some insurance money stopped coming. I prayed about the car. I felt that God was saying that I would have a new car in the fall. I reminded Him (as if God needs to be reminded) that we had decided "no more debt," and I was out of cash how was I to get a car? ... It got worse.
I could not make the July nursing home payment at beginning of the month when it was due. I paid what I could and sent the balance upon receipt of the mid-month paycheck.
During the fall of 1987, three conflicts were settled and suddenly there was enough in the checking account to begin looking for a car. A new car was purchased with cash; and there was still some left over which was applied to the mortgage.
In March of 1989, the mortgage on the house was paid off! PTL!
In December of 1990, Nita and I were married and we began learning about managing finances together.
James writes, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (1:2-4) I can testify to the truth of this passage. Our hope is that our teaching will allow other Christians to grow in faith and learn the lessons God wants them to learn without going through the trials.