I will never forget November 24, 1960.  Linda and I had just completed our third semester at seminary when someone knocked on our door. To our surprise, it was an official from our denomination. We asked him in and, within a few minutes, he asked if we would consider accepting a small church in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. He said the church was worshipping in an old school house and that there was a parsonage; however, it wasn’t furnished. We found out later the previous pastor had burned the furniture for firewood.  

He also informed us that the church’s total income was seventeen dollars a week, and that, should we accept these conditions, we would be responsible for our moving expenses.  Being 22 years old, eager and naive, we accepted the challenge, launching into the great unknown without a clue of what we were about to face.

Our first Sunday was wonderful! As I was leaving that morning, I was singing under my breath “Oh, this is like heaven to me”.  For the younger generation’s benefit, this was a song we sang years ago in church. 

The following Sunday we were again treated like royalty, being invited to join some wonderful and godly saints at their home for lunch.  Because we were expecting our first child, the ladies of the church graciously volunteered to prepare and serve supper for a solid week! Wow, I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

Then, something went terribly wrong. Suddenly, it seemed like no one liked us! For no apparent reason, the lady who was over the church’s prayer team came to our home, saying, “What I am going to tell you is directly from God. Get out of town!  If you don’t, we will starve you out and if that doesn’t work, my husband is going to whip you like you’ve never been whipped before.” Then, as she was leaving, she said “And we’re not paying for your baby that’s coming!” I wish she had been straight forward, so I could have better understood.

After prayer, but no pastoral experience or someone to share my dilemma, we decided to stay. Then, everything she had prophesied began to happen. Yes, everything, even regarding her husband attempting to do me harm. When he tried, I chose to walk away.  The good news was, during all the turmoil, our small church was growing! Each Sunday the building was packed with children and young people.

Because our church was located five miles from the city, and most of the parents were not believers, we would make several trips picking them up and bringing them home.    One morning, with no forewarning, the car’s engine died. Because we had no funds to repair it, the children would no longer be picked up. Unfortunately, the church began to die. 

I did everything possible to find employment. The challenge was the only jobs available were in the lumber industry and if you didn’t have experience, they wouldn’t hire you.  From then on it was necessary for me to hitch a ride to church on Sundays.

One afternoon, as I was out visiting, a person walked onto the sidewalk and introduced himself as a deacon from the Baptist church. He said “Preacher, I see you walking. Don’t you have a car?” I explained my circumstances about my car. He paused a few seconds saying “Maybe I can help. I have a forklift engine in my garage and believe it could possibly work. That is if you don’t mind if we can’t put your hood back on. The engine might be too big for it to close.” My answer was no problem! Within three weeks my car was running again. It didn’t have a hood, but it could really move!

During this same time period, our food pantry was running low.  But, whenever we place God in charge, He covers all the bases. One morning, around ten o’clock, a lady I only knew as Sister Mary came to our door.  She lived with her son in a house made of cardboard, pitched with tar and a dirt floor. 

When I opened the door she said, “Brother Dill, can you and sister Dill come over for supper tonight?” Without hesitation, I told her yes, and asked what time.  When we walked in, we saw more food than we had seen in quite a while. 

After we prayed, we ate and ate and ate! After the meal, Sister Mary said “Brother Dill, God spoke to me last night and told me what was going on and that I’m supposed to take care of you and sister Dill. So, from now on, as long as you are here, you won’t go hungry.”

Then saying, “When I go to the store, I go to the dented can section. They are placed in one cart and the labels are removed so I don’t know what I’m getting. Sometimes it’s tuna and sometimes it’s vegetables. I usually buy a pound of hamburger. From now on I’m going to pick up one can for myself and one can for the Dills and a pound of hamburger for both of us until I run out of money.” Sister Mary honored her word until the day we moved.

It never ceases to amaze me the amazing people God places in our lives. I am confident that God has a special place in heaven for Sister Mary and the Baptist deacon.  For Linda and I, they represented the purest form of Christianity. So, until we meet again, thank you, Sister Mary. Thank you, Baptist deacon. Someday we will have the pleasure of thanking you personally.

This was an extremely challenging time at the onset of our ministry.  Some of it was our own fault, but much of it was because we didn’t have a mentor to guide us.  Later, because of these experiences, and the guidance of a mentor, we were able to move forward with God’s call for our lives.

When seasons like this occur, some may question if they were in God’s will at all or wonder if it was a waste of time? Not on your life!
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

A few weeks before we moved, two small children showed up on our doorsteps. They asked “Mr, are you a preacher” to which I replied that I was.  “Well, me and my brother would like to go to church. Can you take us?” The next morning they were waiting on our front steps and, with their parents’ consent, we took them to church.  Somewhere during the church service, they accepted Jesus into their hearts! Several weeks later we moved.

25 years passed and I was pastoring in Tyler when I received a phone call from the oldest boy! He began to tell me about how after we left, both he and his brother became members of the church. He continued saying that when he was 20 and his brother 18, they both surrendered to preach the Gospel and that he was now pastoring a thriving congregation in that city! A few weeks later, he flew out to Tyler where we rejoiced together in the faith, encouraging one another in how Romans 8:28 had come to fruition in our lives.

God uses failures, and sinners, but He can’t use quitters, so I encourage you to never lose sight of the shore in the midst of the storm.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 “The Lord’s loving kindnesses never changes; His compassion never fails. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness!”