In the sermons that she preached, our founding first lady, the late Mother B. Francine Norman, would often say, "This is a pressing way." And indeed, she was right!
We completed our first year as pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in the month of July and marked it with a weekend of special celebratory worship services. The Spirit of the Lord was in our midst, and we had an amazing time. Our special guest speakers, Bishop H.H. Norman (Chief Apostle of Revival Church Incorporated) and Bishop Ann L. Hardman (Chief Apostle of Faith Worship Center International) brought timely words that encouraged our hearts and souls.
The encouragement was much needed. We love our kingdom assignments as pastors and church builders, but it hasn't been a simple task. The past year has been full of highs and lows, joys and pains. We've welcomed numerous members into the Deliverance Revival Church family. We have embraced them, nurtured them, prayed for them... helped them in every way that we can. We've loved on them, helped them, given them rides; even given them monetary assistance if needed. Some have stayed with us... some have not. Some have been faithful in their attendance... some have not. Regardless, we continue to look to the hills from whence cometh our help (Psalm 121:1).
It's been a sacrificial year for us. Each week, we give of our personal time, our personal finances, our personal sleep. Yes, THIS IS A PRESSING WAY. Our drive to church each Sunday is over 100 miles (one-way)! We knew what we were taking on before we accepted the call and appointment in July of 2016. There were no members at all on the roster, so we knew we'd have to build. We lived in the same place then as we live now, so we knew we'd have to commute. It's something we were willing to do because we knew that God had called us to it, and if He called us to it, we knew that He would equip us with everything we need in order to carry out the work He'd entrusted to us. That includes equipping us with the patience, dedication, courage, zeal, etc. that we would need for the assignment.
In no way has it been easy. After all we've done and all the sacrifices we've made, there are still times when we make that 100+ miles drive to church and few or none of the members who have connected with us will show up for worship. THIS IS A PRESSING WAY. When that happens; guess what? We still carry out service. We pray, sing, and worship with just the two of us. We are sometimes disappointed, but we are NEVER discouraged; for we realize that it's only a test! Sometimes in our walks with God and even in our kingdom assignments, the Lord will test our obedience and our faith. Will we continue to do His will when we don't see immediate fruits from our labor? Will we remain faithful despite people's slothfulness? Will we keep trusting HIM regardless of what our eyes see (or don't see)?
God's testing isn't so that we can prove to Him that we will remain obedient. He is all-knowing. He doesn't have to figure out anything. Nothing takes Him by surprise. God's testing is so that we can prove to ourselves that we are who He says we are; that we are fully capable to carry out the task. THIS IS A PRESSING WAY, and every man, woman, and child must PRESS for themselves.
As pastors, we try our best to pump, prime, and even pamper people into coming to church and being fully dedicated in their walks with the Lord. But it's impossible. All we can do is preach/teach the Word, lead by example, and do all we can to encourage the masses. Our individual relationships with God are a personal choice. Each person must choose to serve God with all their heart, mind, and soul. We are living in perilous times, and half-stepping isn't going to get it. Either we're IN or we're OUT. There's no straddling the fence. Our actions--not our words--prove just how dedicated we are to God. THIS IS A PRESSING WAY.
And we say to you... PRESS!!!
