Accept The Challenge!

Challenge accepted. That was the only thing I could think of when I was faced with some realities that would open me up to change. I wondered if I had been missing it. There is nothing wrong with trying to diagnose a problem or shortcoming, but rather than dwell on what may or may not be a swing and a miss, why not accept the challenge of going forward a bit differently than you thought?

That is what I have been faced with this year. This year of ministry has been different than the others. I have not traveled or spoken as much. We have hosted and ministered to pastors from Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and we hosted two adult children from Colombian missionaries for the month of July. There was a month-long road trip and several other ministry trips, but this year has been different. Good, but different.

What apprehended me was that fundraising was down by over 50%, and it needed to increase by 50% to meet our current funding requirements. It is pretty easy to preach, coach, and declare how God is our supplier when you have $50k in the bank. The first question I faced was whether I would continue to believe and declare that the account had only $5k. Answer – Yes! I have no plan but to trust my call. I know what I am charged by God to do and, as Paul says, woe to me if I don’t do it. I have a few people in my life who remind me from time to time how important the ministry that I have is to people who don’t know they need it. I have a missionary friend who moved back to New Zealand and calls me every month, telling me that what I do is vital! Yet, I am faced with the reality of a shortfall of funding.

What do you do when you face situations like that? When it looks like the doors are closing, but you know you are supposed to go forward? You know you can’t walk away, but you don’t see how to continue? May I suggest we all get on our knees and pray, “Okay, Holy Spirit, challenge accepted. Meet me in the middle of this trial and struggle, and show me what I am supposed to do.

There I was on a beach in the Bahamas where my wonderful kids fly Lora and me to so we can visit for a few weeks. Not a bad place to figure things out with Jesus. I took many long walks on that beautiful beach before settling on what I have been doing since. I am starting a business! Yep! At 64, I am blazing another trail with the idea that this trail will fund the ministry. Once I get it up and going, my plan is it won’t take all of my time. I already have invitations to Peru, Croatia and Albania for the first part of 2026. I am going to accept them. The funding that continues to roll in will be used for ministry, and any extra will help cover my salary. My hope is that the business will pay my salary! God has given me a plan, and with His help and blessing, it will grow beyond my expectations. (Eph. 3:20)

Rest assured, I continue to minister as I did at a local church a few weeks ago. I continue to expand my reach and create content that will be a blessing to pastors and leaders.

If you follow me on social media, you will see Lora and me on a few trips this summer. The timing of our two-year planned and saved for, 40th anniversary trip could not be worse with everything that is happening. So I got to decide, will I prioritize my marriage over everything else I do? (Ministry and work) It was another question I had to answer that I ask of every pastor I talk to. What else could I say but yes? Admittedly, I have been sneaking in some work on a few trips, but during our 40th anniversary trip in September, there will be no work!

I share all of this with you to keep you informed of what is happening with Total Life Pursuit and the Millers. Yet, this isn’t that uncommon a life experience, is it? Things not going as you thought they would. Major decisions of adjustment. Wondering if you missed something. Accepting the challenge of something new. Experiencing dependence on Holy Spirit at a new level. Allowing hope to percolate and choosing faith for the future, and seeing success and the completion of everything God has given you to do. I want to encourage you to let hope arise. Choose faith. See the future through God’s eyes. When your heart skips a beat because you don’t see the support, money, energy, creativity…, remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and ability. He is with us and He is good, but that doesn’t mean there is no struggle.

Thanks so much for your continued support, financially, spiritually and personally. Not only can we use your generosity in the financial area, but I can always use some encouragement.