Jimmy has been a leader and shepherd during three decades of pastoral ministry and now serves as an ILI International Director. He contributes to ILI's leadership blogs and he shares many of his devotional thoughts with Dare to Ask God. Jimmy's key focus is on the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region of the world, where many nations are closed to the Gospel and Christians are routinely persecuted for their faith.
This is Jimmy's story.
For 30 years, I committed my life to serve as a pastor for various churches throughout Alabama in the United States. With our last move, my wife, Ann, and I had anticipated serving another ten years or so before retiring, but God had other plans. I lived in Florence, Alabama for only six months when I preached a sermon titled “Vaya Pues, " a Honduran phrase meaning “You go then.”
I challenged the congregation, “Let’s ask God what our next ‘thing’ is. I will ask God what mine is. You ask God what yours is.” After the sermon, I asked God, “What is my next thing? May I have the boldness to obey when You reveal Your plan.” That was Sunday. On Thursday, God clearly spoke to me as Ann and I were praying,
“Okay, here is your next thing. Walk away from pastoral ministry. Trust Me, and live by faith. Then, I will show you what comes next.”
Ann finished praying, and I told her what I heard. Pausing for only a few seconds, she said, “Okay, let’s do it.”
As we shared with our family, God confirmed the calling through my son’s two-word response, “Vaya Pues.” My son was living in a different state at the time and had no idea that was the name of the sermon God used to stir my heart. I still did not know what God had planned as I announced my decision to retire.
I connected with Wes Griffin, Co-Founder of ILI, and he suggested I join their team. The organization was expanding into the 10/40 window and needed someone to lead the effort. Ann and I prayed, “Lord, could it be this easy?” Being able to use the gifts Christ gave me while working for ILI, a ministry I was already passionate about, seemed to be the perfect plan.
So, I accepted the offer. I had my next step. Since joining the ILI Team in 2014, I have seen God work and transform lives in extraordinary ways – Immigrants given hope, churches planted, and leaders equipped across borders. I am blessed to be a part of God’s work.
Dare to Ask God to give you the boldness to obey as He reveals His plan for your "next thing."
Until all worship,
God’s passion for His people can not be extinguished. Do you embody this same passion?