Family members had mixed reactions when my wife and I surrendered to ministry. My mother-in-law told me, “I would never have let you marry Vicki if I knew you were going into ministry.” There were various puzzled looks: “He has lost it.” “He is crazy.” “He is a fanatic!”

I guess, in some ways, I was…and am.

When I started seminary, it was very challenging. I was a full-time student and a part-time children’s minister plus I had a full-time job. Some of my days were 18 hours or more. My hourly wage at the time was only $6.25. On top of this, there were six of us: two adults and four children.

My good friend, Dr. Richard Ross, approached me one Sunday morning and said, “I was invited to attend the 4-14 Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. I told them I was not the man, but I knew who needed to be there. I gave them your name.” I thought, “That's great, but I don’t have the money to go.” I was off the hook, I thought.

Shortly afterward, I received an email from the leadership inviting me to join them. I told them I was interested, but I knew there was no way for me to do it. The expense was too much. Again, I was out of it. I was not interested in going. Then a person walked up to me the next Sunday morning and gave me a check for $1,000.

I was at a point in ministry where I was meeting myself coming and going. I was a full-time children’s pastor and doctoral student plus I was working part-time with a growing ministry. At the same time, I was in the best shape I had been in years. I had lost 60 pounds and was working out and exercising five days a week.

While I was exercising, I started feeling pain in my right shoulder. Instead of slowing down or stopping, I thought I would push through the pain like I did in my younger years. What I did not realize was that I had torn my rotator cuff. It started around April, and by the end of the summer, I could no longer raise my arm from my side. The pain was overwhelming.

In the fall of 2013, I was ministering as a full-time children’s pastor, working part-time with L.I.T. (Leaders In Training), and attending seminary to earn my doctorate. I was overwhelmed, and I did not feel like I could take it much longer. I sought the Lord. There was so much pressure from all three sides, but I had peace and chose to stay right where I was.

I performed my responsibilities as expected. My pastor had expectations, and I did what he asked of me. I truly loved what I was doing. At the same time, the Lord was growing L.I.T. If you have ever heard anyone say, “I have been meeting myself coming and going,” that was me. I was at the point where I just could not give much more.