Sharing highlights from our 45 years of ministry in these blog posts has been so challenging. There are so many incredible stories to tell that testify of God’s faithfulness, many that bring gigantic smiles, others that really tug on the heartstrings. Telling even a small fraction of the many stories of God outdoing Himself for us during our ten years as children’s evangelists (1979 to 1989) and the ensuing twenty-five years as children’s pastors (1989 to 2014) would turn these blog posts into a book.
But wait! Don’t stop reading! Our lives and ministry didn’t end in 2014. There’s one more chapter that needs to be shared. It started in….
First, I need to take a step or two back before telling of July 13, 2014. Sometime around 2011 or so, I sensed that there was a change coming to our ministry. I didn’t have many or really any details about this change. I just knew in my spirit that our days of being the children’s pastors at Trinity Church International were coming to an end. I did know that the change wouldn’t involve moving to another church and entering that same form of ministry again. God had something new in store for us. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is a talker. Over time, God’s will became evident to us. The next part of the journey would launch us again into the ministry of evangelists, but not as children’s evangelists as we were before,
So, what happened from the time of the stirring in 2011 and the actual launching in 2014? During this time, both the WILL and the TIMING of God’s plans unfolded. I know this to be true – the will of God has to be accompanied by the timing of God. One without the other is a recipe for disaster. This combination enabled us, borrowing a powerful statement from our dear, dear friend Pat Holland, to know that we wouldn’t “step out on thin air but rather on a promise”! (NOTE – get to know this lady that I respectfully call “the Holy Ghost in high heels”.)
Today, Vickie and I are working together with the Holy Spirit for this generation. First, we travel around the nation conducting Holy Spirit Rallies where we preach and teach about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. In these services, people are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of praying with other tongues (as recorded in Acts 2, 10, and 19). In recent weeks, we have also ministered with an emphasis placed upon divine healing in our Jesus the Healer Rallies. It is amazing to see “and the power of the Lord was present to heal” (Luke 5:17) demonstrated over and over again. Another emphasis in our ministry today is done through our Ignite & Unite Conferences where we train and equip those who minister to children and youth to work with the Holy Spirit. This 3-hour, Saturday morning conference opens the door for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be seen and demonstrated in these important ministries. And lastly, through our writings, people literally around the world today are receiving an impartation to know and flow with the Holy Spirit. You can gain additional information about any or all of these ministries by clicking this link – CONTACT BILLY.
There, the challenge is over. I did it. I’ve squeezed our celebration of these 45 amazing years into three semi-short posts! We are so, so, so, so, so thankful for God’s call and His faithfullness in enabling us to fulfill the call. (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Thank God for these 45 years. And, thank God that there are many more exciting, powerful, productive years yet to come. To God be the glory!
Pastor Burns
I really enjoy your emails, y’all do a great job and have served our Lord for 45 yrs. and counting. What a blessing to all who have the pleasure of your teaching. Look forward to seeing you both again at Riverside. Blessings for safe travels as you and Mrs. Burns. Keep praising the Lord and teaching the word.
Sincerely John DeVane
John, thank you for your kind words. God has been so good and faithful to us during our 45 years of ministry. And, we are confident that He will continue to bless us as we continue to work together with His Holy Spirit in the days to come. Vickie and I love Riverside Church and your pastors. Y’all are truly blessed to have the ministry of Pastors Grant and Mechelle!