In 1971 Linda and I accepted the pastorate of a small church in the San Joaquin valley and from the onset we knew that God had placed us there. Our church began to grow immediately and within 6 months, we had birthed a mission church. Within 3 years, God helped us birth three thriving churches and during this time God continued to bless our congregation.  As I reflect, His blessings were directly in proportion to reaching beyond ourselves. In 15 months, we were out of space causing us to move classes outdoors on Sundays.

Prior to this, we had never considered borrowing money, but were at a place we had to act or lose our momentum.  I asked our elders, on several occasions, to help find a solution.  They were always cordial, but seldom offered suggestions.  One of the most dangerous places a church can be is when it becomes content with the status quo and we were at that point.

Because circumstances seemed hopeless, during a Sunday morning service, I announced we were stepping down as senior pastor.  Immediately, people began standing, asking why.  My response was our church had run out of space and there were no finances available for building.  During the meeting one of the elders asked if they found the financing, would we consider staying?  Without hesitation, I said yes!  With unanimous vote, our church agreed to secure a loan.  Then, one of the elders voiced, “Pastor, we should be frugal with God’s money. Could you find a builder who would let us use their license?  It could save us a lot of money.” 

Everyone, including myself, felt that it was a good idea!  The problem was I had never secured a church loan and didn’t know a single building contractor in the county. Regardless, the following morning with faith, and ignorance, I launched out. 

I first met with our loan officer and when we finished, he said he would be happy to help.  We would need to bring him the necessary information and he would take it from there.   “Wow, that was easy” I thought. Now to find a builder who will let us use his license.

I began searching through the yellow pages and found a name.  Walking into the building, I introduced myself and asked his receptionist if I could visit with him. She asked If I had an appointment. I said no but promised her the meeting wouldn’t last long. She then proceeded asking my purpose for meeting. As I was going over the details, her facial expressions were letting me know she was confused. When I finished, she asked if I would be seated, she would check Mr. C___’s availability. 

After speaking over the phone, she said “Mr. Dill, he’s tied up at the moment, I’m sorry.” I responded, “Well I’m free for the rest of the afternoon, can I just wait and see if he has an opening?” At this point I realized she was enjoying the moment. She picked up the phone again. Hanging up, she said with a smile, “He’s still tied up.  However, if you would care to stay around, he may be available later.” 

At this time, I wasn’t aware his office had only one exit that opened into her office where I was sitting. In a few hours Mr. C___ opened his door saying, “Are you Mr. Dill? Please come in” he said reluctantly.  For about 20 minutes I explained the circumstances that led to our meeting, closing with “So do you think you could let our church use your license?”  

I could actually see his frustration. He responded saying, “I don’t know who you are Mr. Dill.  Who told you to come here?” Explaining that no one had, but I had prayed that morning asking God to help me find the right builder in the yellow pages. He interrupted saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you. Good afternoon.” 

If I hadn’t known with certainty God was ordering my steps, I would have simply thanked him and left the building. Instead, I heard the Holy Spirit speak, saying “Pray with him.” I responded saying “Mr. C—-, before I go, may I pray for you?” Without any hesitation, he said yes. I didn’t know exactly what or how to pray, so I prayed over his family, his business and everything in his future.

 When I finished, I thanked him for his time and was walking towards the door, when he asked me to be seated.  At that moment everything made sense, it all came together. He said, “When I was a child, I was raised in church and my mother was a holiness preacher, but over the years I turned away from God and haven’t been in church for years.” He paused then said, “Mr. Dill I can’t let your church use my license, I could get in a lot of trouble, but what if I built the church for you at my cost?” His response caught me totally of guard!  But isn’t that how God works? (Jeremiah 33:3) That afternoon I witnessed God’s promises all come together. This always happens when we stay His course.

Within four months the church addition was finished, costing less than half of what we would have normally paid.  And when God begins something, He always finishes first class. Before the building was completed, Mr. C___ and his entire family began attending church and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord!  I believe Ephesians 3:20 succinctly describes the story I’ve just shared. 

“Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or even think” WHAT A SAVIOR AND LORD!