“He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
– Jeremiah 17:8
"I was like a tree without roots and on the verge of burning out. Life and ministry felt like a desert until Pastor Richard Brohier shared with us about having deep roots. I thank God for Pastor Richard and for A3. You have brought new life to me and to my ministry."
I was invited in to share a little at one of our SE Asian countries, a country that faces significant pressure, and we were in the region where the most persecution of pastors and churches occurs. After sharing that day, one of the pastors came up to me and shared this wonderful report of how A3 had refreshed his life and how Pastor Richard Brohier, one of our core faculty and country liaisons particularly influenced him.
Ministry is a marathon not a sprint and life is the same. It’s important that we lay a strong foundation in our lives to prepare for the long haul and to be spiritual refreshed in order to last. Richard (seen teaching below) laid out a track for how these pastors can weather the storms that keep coming their way. And, most of these pastors reported how they had faced difficult seasons.
Richard’s teaching and encouragement was so strong that even one of our other liaisons who was present had this to say in his newsletter:
“My Australian colleague’s teaching was just excellent. It was not hard to discern that when the pastors arrived on the Monday heads were drooping; by Tuesday afternoon spirits were lifted; and by Thursday morning they beaming, and we were flying. Many of them gave such happy reports on the what it meant to them.”
What type of roots are you laying down for your life? You will need them. Listen to the words of the prophet Jeremiah quoted above and plant your roots next to the streams of living water that only Christ can provide. With him you will both bear much fruit and you will last for the duration of the race!
Do you have any words of wisdom on laying deep roots for your life and ministry? We’d love to hear from you!
Joe Handley
@jwhandley
