The calling

Over the previous three years in Zambia, I had felt God confirming to me that I was to be a lead pastor in an American church in the future. But, I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to happen at the end of 2010 as we completed our commitment and came home for furlough, or if we should commit to more time with Action after the completion of our term. The decision that Stephanie and I came to was to come back to Zambia for one more year in order to finish the third year of the 3 year Bible school program that I have been teaching in. There weren’t any fireworks, but we did have a deep conviction that I should finish what I started with my students, and so we committed to one more year in Zambia. Lord willing, we will finish the program and then plan on coming back to the States in 2012.

After I made my decision to come back to Zambia for 2011, I had peace and a plan. During the 2010 year though, I had this creeping suspicion that God was leading me to a church plant. Most of the pastors that I teach are church planters. I visit their churches and I see the struggle. In addition, I know enough of the complexities of planting a church, the financial struggle and the ups and downs that I was resisting this impression that I was sensing from God.

There were some significant events during the last few months of 2010 that continued to confirm this call to plant a church. The most significant time came when I was home for the week to get my hearing aids. I got sick towards the end of week and actually had to stay home from church on Sunday. I was home alone and spent some time with the Lord. I finally surrendered to God my unwillingness and lack of obedience to plant a church. I had wanted to step into a church, not start one from scratch. It isn’t that I don’t believe in church planting. I do strongly. But, I fear many things: the financial struggle, the ups and downs, the struggle, and the lack of gifts that I don’t have that will make me lean on others more strongly.

At the beginning of last month, Stephanie and I both fasted again for many reasons....one of the biggest reasons being to seek some clarity from God in regards to our future. Mid- way through the fast, I felt like I heard a word from God that was very clear. I think I have only heard this once or twice before in my life. It said, “I already told you what I wanted you to do.” And that was it. I was looking for some rocks in the river, or an Ebenezer to be able to look back on. I felt like God was saying to me, “I already gave you that.’ Now, move on.” I had been fighting it for some time, but what I feared most, I am now embracing with some enthusiasm, trepidation and excitement.

One of the questions I’ve been asking myself is, “Why did God send me to Zambia?” I think there were lots of reasons that he sent me to Zambia. I know that I have had my world stretched in many ways, both in my character and my heart for the world. One thing I know for sure, God has used this experience to expose me to many cultures and the poor, as well as to grow in me a heart to love and reach people in different cultures and economic situations.

So, here it is: From what I can gather, I sense that God is leading the Allen family to plant a multi-ethnic, economically diverse, community of faith where people from many nations walk, work and worship God together as one. As I see it now, the vision statement is “Every nation for all the nations”.