PNA Connect 2025 - SOAR. - Part 3
The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God gathers annually at rotating host churches. This year we gathered in Spokane at New Horizons Community Church. These conversations are about what we heard and experienced at PNA Connect 2025 and go beyond, listening for God's divine echoes calling to us, reminding of us of who He is and who we are because of Him. The theme this year was SOAR. out of Isaiah 40.
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00:00:10
[Music] All right. Hey everyone. Welcome back to Beyond Sunday. This is another special PNA Connect edition. Um, and this one is kind of uh maybe especially fun for Devon and I uh because we got to invite some of our church family into this. So Carrie and Melissa, uh you are part of our NextStep family. Matt, you're part of the C3 family. How how are you all doing tonight? Great. Good. Awesome. Doing well. Doing well. Good. Thanks for uh thanks for saying yes to this. We we asked specifically the three of you to join us because uh you got to come and be part of this
00:00:44
connect experience with us this year, which was it it's cool to bring uh leaders and people on staff to something like this, but it's especially cool to come and hang out with um yeah, with our church family and get to experience and share that together. And so, uh, we're going to dive dive in in just a minute to the things that God said or or the ways you felt him work and move while we were at Connect a few weeks ago. Um, but before we do that, take a look at this short video.
00:01:21
[Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Okay. All right. As we dive into the conversation, let's first share uh what was the highlight from PNA Connect uh from Friday night all the way for those who stayed through Sunday morning service at New Horizons, but share a highlight, something that has uh was uh a moment that still sticks with you even even today. There were many instances where something was said that just felt
00:03:32
like it was talking to me. um talking about God's timing uh where the eagle is um wait for the right wind to be able to fly and it just reminded me of waiting for God's perfect timing for things. Um, also there was a moment when um that something that you had said that just really hit me well hard uh because it made me realize that I don't have to be perfect at what I do with my prayers. I can um let God do the the talking for me. And there was walls I needed to bring down and just
00:04:13
open myself up more to allow him to do what he needs to do. And that has made a difference. I have felt a difference with my prayers. So for me um for a long time I just struggled with not feeling like I had a purpose or a place of belonging. Um especially when it came into church um because when I was married I was away from that faith for a while and I was nervous about going into it. Um, but once I got there and I walked in, like I just felt this overwhelming peace. Uh, I felt just a warm welcoming and, you know, God really spoke to me and I felt the Holy Spirit
00:05:00
for the first time in many years. And, um, you know, I've been trying to figure out like what my purpose is here. And I definitely am feeling the call to ministry. And since I've accepted that, cuz I was in denial for a while. Uh but since I've accepted it, I just feel like more and more I am having these moments with people who I've never met that are telling me that talking with me is so peaceful and calming and that, you know, I they're exa I'm exactly what they needed in that moment,
00:05:36
that person to talk to. And um I had one of my patients on the phone tell me today that I have a call to ministry and this is where my purpose is. And she didn't even know anything about my background. And so I definitely hear God talking and I'm leaning into it and I'm welcoming it and just, you know, trying to figure out what his purpose is. But I definitely feel like where I was was where I belong. and listening to everybody speak, I was just I was so drawn in and there was so much that I took from it. And like my mom said, you know,
00:06:13
with the eagle and soaring and I just I definitely feel like I'm on the right path and like I do have a purpose and a place and a belonging. Yeah. Uh yeah, for for myself, I I've really enjoyed just getting Well, it it actually started before even getting there. I got to be with one of my kids. He was driving over with me and just a great time to capture that moment to be there with him in the car ride and to spend 5 hours just getting to hear what God's been doing in his life and and
00:06:54
uh so it kind of set that weekend up really well and um just had a great experience of being with others and um really I I think um just being in fellowship with other followers of Jesus that are leaders in the church uh was exciting um to get a sense of uh that we're not alone, that in the midst of our own individual walk or in the midst of our time in church, we're not isolated, but that there's others that are around us um that are in that um in the ministry with us um even though we don't see them on a regular basis. So for me that was the fun part um getting
00:07:43
to reconnect and see some uh just see some people that were um intensely focused on looking for God in the midst of their ministry and in the context that they're in. So that was fun. Yeah. Community and family. Um, which I think uh there was a lot of things for me as well, but one of the things especially as we're having this conversation um with specifically those of you on this call, like uh Melissa and Carrie, we went into that weekend um having spent three weeks, I think, in the practice of Sabbath together and learning like what it looks like to Sabbath
00:08:24
and and to walk that out. Um our our two churches collectively or collaboratively doing that. And I uh there were a few times throughout the weekend because this was over a time that that uh we are now practicing Sabbath. And um there were a few moments I remember like having the the conversation of like this is such a great way to practice Sabbath together. And if only like this could be and there's something about like um even what you just said, Matt, but this feeling of like being together with family even though um maybe it looked different
00:08:52
than it looks like a typical Friday Saturday for me to to Sabbath with my immediate family. Um there was this sense of like in the room um if if the purpose of Sabbath is to create space to meet God and and uh to do that in a collective way with others in community um that's what it felt like it offered. And so it was cool to to have so many people who are like this is all part of the family and we get to actually step into this space um and hear from God together was was a really cool thing. Yeah. Yeah. the the extended time together um was is something that still sticks
00:09:28
with me today that it'd be on Friday, Saturday and uh Sunday that even on um I think we some of us went out on on Saturday night uh there there was a baseball game going on and um so we we go out we were watching the game other conversations are going on of of varying uh depth and and you know of of both in in the realm of sport but also also in the realm of spiritual uh and it just sort of back and forth and um things that we were able to to share as we went out on Saturday night, but
00:10:03
then it it even continued into Sunday as we see each other at church on Sunday morning and we're back together worshiping and it just yeah that long extended weekend that we get to, you know, come together and uh be intentional about hearing from God, worship him, uh and also play. I mean, all of it sort of weaved in together um in such a beautiful sort of way that God was providing space and time for that. And uh you know, that isn't I guess that's not that's not a a typical I wish
00:10:31
it were, right? People coming from all sorts of corners, but we can't we're in our different uh we have a very a very large association. So uh to come together on this particular moment and weekend to do both the worshiping God, hearing from him and the play weaving in just helped to bind together things that were like oh there might be something here some relationship to really like oh there is there's relationship that though we may not see each other for two 4 6 12 months later
00:11:04
uh there there is a sense of that relationship coming together and being woven together that you really can't pull apart what God has brought together in that kind of way. Yeah. Yeah. When you get to experience or encounter God and hear from him together, there's something about that. And then when you get to celebrate and whether it's um just celebrate being together or Sabbath or like Carrie had a birthday um and had like the most ridiculous dessert ever that I've ever seen
00:11:33
um that she was celebrating there. Um, but those kinds of things like we wouldn't have known or gotten to be, you know, to see pictures and be part of that if that didn't take place in that space. Um, or to, you know, watch the sport, the baseball game together or those kinds of things like that to be able to do that together. Um, yeah, there's something about playing together. Yeah, that's cool. Um so so beyond just um I guess highlights or kind of the overall thing if there's
00:12:06
uh if there was a specific part of it or a specific space maybe that you were like you know what I just um keep coming back to that thing like what what maybe was the the thing if it was a conversation you had or a speaker you heard or one of the songs or something like that. Um, if there's anything like that that sticks out, we'd love to hear. Well, for me, uh, to, you know, how we had the activities on the side that you guys had set up. So, um, I did do all of them. Actually, I missed one. So, I did all but one. I forgot about a table. Um, and footwashing. So,
00:12:42
I guess I did all but two. Anyway, um for me, uh there was a station where we had to write a letter to ourselves. Um as if I think it was as if God was speaking to us is what it was. And there was a lot that was said in that letter that I needed to hear. Um there was a lot of stuff I was holding on to for many years. And the other station was the one with the rock that you had to put on top of, you know, you're giving it all to God and you're letting that go. And um and so there just I had a
00:13:17
lot of movement um spiritually and emotionally and just being able to let go of that darkness that was just hanging in the past and hanging over me. And it just allowed me to be more open to Yeah, I think for myself um there was a reoccurring theme of just time and season that um kept coming up um just in the travel over and kind of seeing the scenery, but then also in the midst of just conversations with people about um just God's timing. And I I think it's one of the things that I've been recognizing more
00:14:03
and more and more in my life is that um that my timing and God's timing are not um always very aligned. I think things need to be happening on a lot faster basis than what God does. And uh and so the um I think it was um Pastor Zo talked about um that a little bit and there was a it was phrase that he talked about of being like being open to where God is leading. Um but at the same time um not being frustrated with where you currently are. And and for me that's just a tension that I'm holding on a regular basis. And I feel like
00:14:52
um you know as God leads us into different places. We think that means that okay it's going to happen right away or it's going to happen you know in the next couple months or maybe even a year. the idea of of God moving in our lives, but we still remain where we're at and and you know, focusing on being faithful in the midst of of the waiting. Yeah. Um was kind of a just a reoccurring thing for me that I've carried forward um into the last couple weeks. Uh, Matt, one of the things,
00:15:28
so a number of years ago, I was in a season of um, like uncertainty of maybe what God was calling me to or where he was calling me and and maybe some uh, stubbornness of like I'm pretty good where I'm at. I don't hear you. That kind of a a season. and pastor pastor Jeff who pastors up in Bellingham uh at one of our sister churches. Uh the phrase he said to me in that season which uh pinged as you just said this uh he told me that one of the best or the best posture that we can have as a follower
00:16:00
of Jesus is to be content with where we're at and open to where God's leading. And in that moment it felt like a slap in the face cuz I was like super content with where I was at and super not open to what God might be leading me into. Um, and God moved really powerfully in that season. And even through that, um, it's kind of become a joke for Jeff and I because even through that, uh, sentence which he's like, I don't really remember saying that. I'm like, oh, you said it. Um, but that but
00:16:26
in in exactly what you're talking about this like the rhythm and the timing and the cadence of God, but also a like um, will I be content here, but also like sitting in that tension of like I'm content here and ready and waiting and willing if here is not what you have for me any longer. Um, and that can be a really hard place to sit and exist. No, I just really like the closeness, being close with God. That whole time it was so res restorative for me. I went into it so tired and full of anxiety. And I just came out and I think I told you Shay, it felt like to me like
00:17:07
this is what a Sabbath was supposed to be like. it just restored me and and listening and hearing God and and all the things that were said. There were so many moments that just spoke to me and even the conversations at the tables with um with uh other people. It just it was amazing how we could relate to each other and the things that we shared and just some really good good comments and and discussions going on and it the whole thing I it was it was so good for me. Um well and Carrie, thank you for being a part of the prayer ministry for PNA. Um and and um how many members are on the
00:17:53
the PNA prayer team? I think there's seven now. We just got a new person. Great. Yeah. And I know the goal is um having a a prayer partner, a prayer warrior on that team for the PNA prayer ministry from representing every one of our churches that are across the association. So, um room to grow there. But also, um many were many of you were there, right? From the I think I only met one. I mean, just myself. I think I was the only one. Handful. Yeah. Okay. Um, but to know that like we have prayer warriors who are praying for our our PNA family. Um, and uh, and and so not just on a
00:18:32
PNA connect weekend, but ongoing this is this is continuing to happen. And so, thank you for being a part of that. Uh, and I guess that's part of the the sticking with me is this knowing that there are ministries going on across our association that um, in many ways I get to I get to benefit from, I get to partner with. um I am encouraged by um and so when we come together and in like a BNA connect I get to hear these stories of things God's doing and and how he's moving and how these
00:19:03
um uh and I always get excited with being able to see how God's connecting dots that I didn't see before until that very moment. I'm like, "Wow, this is so cool." Um how this does relate to each other or how we are connecting in this way, partnering or collaborating. Uh, and so that's a a piece that, you know, was existent during PNA Connect and I'm and it's still like that's for me the overflow. It's still happening. There's still connection taking place. U my hope is that others
00:19:31
will join in and join the PNA um prayer prayer ministry um and be praying for our PNA family as the year goes on. So that so thank you. Um but and for me being able to see those connections take place uh while we're there and that go beyond just the weekend. Yeah. Well, and one thing that's cool about that and I know you shared um you shared this with Devon and I and then actually here at church on on Sunday for our church family because one of the things you you mentioned at the top of
00:20:01
this podcast kind of in in passing a little bit, but this uh part of what the what you felt God speaking at connect, right? this invitation to like, hey, will you trust uh the prayers I've put on your heart, the prayers that I've put within you? Um because not only has Carrie been on the PNA prayer team for a long time now, but she leads our prayer ministry here. And it wasn't until after connect that she told me she has a lot of anxiety around praying and praying in front of people. And I was like, you have been doing this for like a year and a half. And you pray on
00:20:33
Sunday mornings and I didn't know you were anxious every time I asked you to pray. I'm so sorry. No, no. I just think what God was calling me to do. That was what he was calling me to do. Step out in faith and just allow him to do this. And and it it's been a beautiful experience being on the the PNA prayer um group is it's just been a beautiful experience. But I have had anxiety and I have um always felt like I'm not as eloquent. Um, I'm always worried about I'm gonna say something wrong
00:21:07
and and not just let just letting God do what he needs to do. And I can pray to myself, you know, by myself just fine. But praying out loud was a little bit different hard for me. But I felt like that's what God was calling me to do. And he has. He's he I've grown from this. And being at the PNA connect, I felt strongly how he was telling me, I just need to let go. It's not what I bring there. It's it's not I have to be perfect and say the right things. Let God put the words in my mouth.
00:21:37
And so I just need to do that. Just need to to give to him. Yeah. Well, and I think that story is so cool because it actually shows like a faithful obedience even I mean for a year and a half you've faithfully obeyed in your anxiety. Um and and so there's something in that for us. But also, I told you the other day uh because we had our monthly prayer gathering, the the first one since connect a couple weeks ago. Um and I have been impacted by your prayers before, but this that time
00:22:06
um I I have not heard you pray in such a powerful obviously uh spirit-ledd way. And so even that, it's such a cool evidence of like the way that God will will use our faithfulness and obedience um even before we feel it or know what's happening. Um but then also the way that he will fill and show up when we're ready to receive and listen um is just super cool. Yeah, that's good. Uh well, as we wrap this one up, we're going to share some chyros. So chyros is uh time. It's but it's not
00:22:39
chronological time, but a moment in time. What is there a sense that in there's God's getting our attention, desiring for us to to see where he is inviting us in, calling uh us to attention, and will we respond to him when we recognize here's what God's saying and here's how he's inviting me to respond. So, um I'll I'll start and share my chyros from from PNA Connect. It's one that um was carried on since then. We're 3, four weeks away now um in recording this,
00:23:08
but it was what Jacqueline offered on Saturday uh when she said that God is does not prepare us for um um and and um prepare us and gift us um equip us for something that's already happened. He prepares us and equips us for something that's coming. Uh and for me the chyros is okay Lord I desire to receive the prepar preparation and equipping but the trusting God for the thing that I don't yet quite have eyes for. I haven't quite seen or you know like I don't see the full I don't
00:23:46
see the full road ahead. It's sort of you know veiled or a little missed but I could see like here's the next step that the chyros for me is like you know God invited me. Will you trust? Will you trust me to take this step? Even if you're not sure what the full journey of this looks like or if you have the full equipping or all the gifting that's necessary, will you trust that I'll prepare in you and equip you for the thing down the road if you'll just keep going? Don't wait for to be
00:24:13
fully ready, but will you go? And that um from what Jacqueline offered was a sense of like, okay, I there there is a new something down the road. there's something God's calling me into and that desire to be faithful even if I don't sense I'm fully equipped or ready to do that I want to say yes and so that's the invitation but also the challenge within me is will I be faithful to go obedient to go to to take that first step I think my chyros is is is the being open to ministry
00:24:45
um because if I really truly am honest about it like I felt the calling for a long time But I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could be that. I didn't feel like I was Christian enough to be there. And you know, I'd been spending all this time trying to get there, trying to find God, trying to feel him again, trying to grow closer in my faith. And just being there in that space and being open, I just I have this sense of belonging. like I'm no longer trying to find where I'm at. I'm already there. and just that continuing to be open on,
00:14:03
and more and more in my life is that um that my timing and God's timing are not um always very aligned. I think things need to be happening on a lot faster basis than what God does. And uh and so the um I think it was um Pastor Zo talked about um that a little bit and there was a it was phrase that he talked about of being like being open to where God is leading. Um but at the same time um not being frustrated with where you currently are. And and for me that's just a tension that I'm holding on a regular basis. And I feel like
00:14:52
um you know as God leads us into different places. We think that means that okay it's going to happen right away or it's going to happen you know in the next couple months or maybe even a year. the idea of of God moving in our lives, but we still remain where we're at and and you know, focusing on being faithful in the midst of of the waiting. Yeah. Um was kind of a just a reoccurring thing for me that I've carried forward um into the last couple weeks. Uh, Matt, one of the things,
00:15:28
so a number of years ago, I was in a season of um, like uncertainty of maybe what God was calling me to or where he was calling me and and maybe some uh, stubbornness of like I'm pretty good where I'm at. I don't hear you. That kind of a a season. and pastor pastor Jeff who pastors up in Bellingham uh at one of our sister churches. Uh the phrase he said to me in that season which uh pinged as you just said this uh he told me that one of the best or the best posture that we can have as a follower
00:16:00
of Jesus is to be content with where we're at and open to where God's leading. And in that moment it felt like a slap in the face cuz I was like super content with where I was at and super not open to what God might be leading me into. Um, and God moved really powerfully in that season. And even through that, um, it's kind of become a joke for Jeff and I because even through that, uh, sentence which he's like, I don't really remember saying that. I'm like, oh, you said it. Um, but that but
00:16:26
in in exactly what you're talking about this like the rhythm and the timing and the cadence of God, but also a like um, will I be content here, but also like sitting in that tension of like I'm content here and ready and waiting and willing if here is not what you have for me any longer. Um, and that can be a really hard place to sit and exist. No, I just really like the closeness, being close with God. That whole time it was so res restorative for me. I went into it so tired and full of anxiety. And I just came out and I think I told you Shay, it felt like to me like
00:17:07
this is what a Sabbath was supposed to be like. it just restored me and and listening and hearing God and and all the things that were said. There were so many moments that just spoke to me and even the conversations at the tables with um with uh other people. It just it was amazing how we could relate to each other and the things that we shared and just some really good good comments and and discussions going on and it the whole thing I it was it was so good for me. Um well and Carrie, thank you for being a part of the prayer ministry for PNA. Um and and um how many members are on the
00:17:53
the PNA prayer team? I think there's seven now. We just got a new person. Great. Yeah. And I know the goal is um having a a prayer partner, a prayer warrior on that team for the PNA prayer ministry from representing every one of our churches that are across the association. So, um room to grow there. But also, um many were many of you were there, right? From the I think I only met one. I mean, just myself. I think I was the only one. Handful. Yeah. Okay. Um, but to know that like we have prayer warriors who are praying for our our PNA family. Um, and uh, and and so not just on a
00:18:32
PNA connect weekend, but ongoing this is this is continuing to happen. And so, thank you for being a part of that. Uh, and I guess that's part of the the sticking with me is this knowing that there are ministries going on across our association that um, in many ways I get to I get to benefit from, I get to partner with. um I am encouraged by um and so when we come together and in like a BNA connect I get to hear these stories of things God's doing and and how he's moving and how these
00:19:03
um uh and I always get excited with being able to see how God's connecting dots that I didn't see before until that very moment. I'm like, "Wow, this is so cool." Um how this does relate to each other or how we are connecting in this way, partnering or collaborating. Uh, and so that's a a piece that, you know, was existent during PNA Connect and I'm and it's still like that's for me the overflow. It's still happening. There's still connection taking place. U my hope is that others
00:19:31
will join in and join the PNA um prayer prayer ministry um and be praying for our PNA family as the year goes on. So that so thank you. Um but and for me being able to see those connections take place uh while we're there and that go beyond just the weekend. Yeah. Well, and one thing that's cool about that and I know you shared um you shared this with Devon and I and then actually here at church on on Sunday for our church family because one of the things you you mentioned at the top of
00:20:01
this podcast kind of in in passing a little bit, but this uh part of what the what you felt God speaking at connect, right? this invitation to like, hey, will you trust uh the prayers I've put on your heart, the prayers that I've put within you? Um because not only has Carrie been on the PNA prayer team for a long time now, but she leads our prayer ministry here. And it wasn't until after connect that she told me she has a lot of anxiety around praying and praying in front of people. And I was like, you have been doing this for like a year and a half. And you pray on
00:20:33
Sunday mornings and I didn't know you were anxious every time I asked you to pray. I'm so sorry. No, no. I just think what God was calling me to do. That was what he was calling me to do. Step out in faith and just allow him to do this. And and it it's been a beautiful experience being on the the PNA prayer um group is it's just been a beautiful experience. But I have had anxiety and I have um always felt like I'm not as eloquent. Um, I'm always worried about I'm gonna say something wrong
00:21:07
and and not just let just letting God do what he needs to do. And I can pray to myself, you know, by myself just fine. But praying out loud was a little bit different hard for me. But I felt like that's what God was calling me to do. And he has. He's he I've grown from this. And being at the PNA connect, I felt strongly how he was telling me, I just need to let go. It's not what I bring there. It's it's not I have to be perfect and say the right things. Let God put the words in my mouth.
00:21:37
And so I just need to do that. Just need to to give to him. Yeah. Well, and I think that story is so cool because it actually shows like a faithful obedience even I mean for a year and a half you've faithfully obeyed in your anxiety. Um and and so there's something in that for us. But also, I told you the other day uh because we had our monthly prayer gathering, the the first one since connect a couple weeks ago. Um and I have been impacted by your prayers before, but this that time
00:22:06
um I I have not heard you pray in such a powerful obviously uh spirit-ledd way. And so even that, it's such a cool evidence of like the way that God will will use our faithfulness and obedience um even before we feel it or know what's happening. Um but then also the way that he will fill and show up when we're ready to receive and listen um is just super cool. Yeah, that's good. Uh well, as we wrap this one up, we're going to share some chyros. So chyros is uh time. It's but it's not
00:22:39
chronological time, but a moment in time. What is there a sense that in there's God's getting our attention, desiring for us to to see where he is inviting us in, calling uh us to attention, and will we respond to him when we recognize here's what God's saying and here's how he's inviting me to respond. So, um I'll I'll start and share my chyros from from PNA Connect. It's one that um was carried on since then. We're 3, four weeks away now um in recording this,
00:23:08
but it was what Jacqueline offered on Saturday uh when she said that God is does not prepare us for um um and and um prepare us and gift us um equip us for something that's already happened. He prepares us and equips us for something that's coming. Uh and for me the chyros is okay Lord I desire to receive the prepar preparation and equipping but the trusting God for the thing that I don't yet quite have eyes for. I haven't quite seen or you know like I don't see the full I don't
00:23:46
see the full road ahead. It's sort of you know veiled or a little missed but I could see like here's the next step that the chyros for me is like you know God invited me. Will you trust? Will you trust me to take this step? Even if you're not sure what the full journey of this looks like or if you have the full equipping or all the gifting that's necessary, will you trust that I'll prepare in you and equip you for the thing down the road if you'll just keep going? Don't wait for to be
00:24:13
fully ready, but will you go? And that um from what Jacqueline offered was a sense of like, okay, I there there is a new something down the road. there's something God's calling me into and that desire to be faithful even if I don't sense I'm fully equipped or ready to do that I want to say yes and so that's the invitation but also the challenge within me is will I be faithful to go obedient to go to to take that first step I think my chyros is is is the being open to ministry
00:24:45
um because if I really truly am honest about it like I felt the calling for a long time But I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could be that. I didn't feel like I was Christian enough to be there. And you know, I'd been spending all this time trying to get there, trying to find God, trying to feel him again, trying to grow closer in my faith. And just being there in that space and being open, I just I have this sense of belonging. like I'm no longer trying to find where I'm at. I'm already there. and just that continuing to be open on,
00:25:27
you know, where my where I'm going to be led in ministry and just keeping my eyes open and, you know, I it's like every moment I'm spending with someone, I talk with a lot of people on the phone and every moment I spend with them just feels like a gift hearing about these people and it's just I guess that openness to where God is leading me on this next journey. I guess my Chyros moment will be would probably be trusting God. You know, I think about the eagle and how it waits for
00:26:05
the right wind and everything. God put everything together in perfection how he wants it to move, how he wants us to be. and just trusting God and opening up and letting him work on me or let him work through me, you know, let just giving that that space for him to do what he needs to do. That's probably the the biggest thing that came from it out of that. For me, I think for me it's been um gosh, just the importance of relationship and whether that's relationship with the larger
00:26:47
uh PNA family uh or its relationship with um those that were in church with or in small groups. um the the importance of just being willing to enter into relationships and to see those um to see how God can work in the midst of of those conversations and u both for our own personal growth but then also for others um and those just and it goes back to the time thing. It just takes time and it takes usually a lot more time than what you think and and so just kind of um holding on to that and and sitting in that a little bit and um and just seeing where does God
00:27:34
bring into our lives those people of peace where we can um lean into and um and just see God work. No. Uh mine is specific maybe to this week but tied to connect in that um and it it's this it's coming out of Isaiah 40 which is a whole theme or focus of connect. Um and a lot of that chapter is about reminding ourselves of who God is um so that we can trust him in multiple different spaces. Um, and I had uh last week was a rough week for me, especially towards the front end of the week
00:28:13
um in in the realm of trusting trusting God and trusting the the good things he gives and whatever. And uh partway towards the end of the week, I got a text from uh one of the other speakers that was at Connect and it was pictures, three different pictures of eagles at the ocean. Shoes at the ocean and these pictures just came through and instantly there's this reminder, right? So now anytime I see an eagle, all of the things that we walked through at Connect and all of Isaiah 40 comes into mind. Um and so instantly I'm thinking um there there was like this um oh
00:28:47
right God I remember who you are. And then even Devon and I were having a conversation yesterday um just kind of reflecting on like man why why was last week so hard and what are the what's the invitation from God? And I think this uh it's the same reminder that comes out of Isaiah 40 like have you not seen have you not heard? Do you not remember who I am and what I've done? Um, and I think part of the the maybe next level of that Chyros for me, the thing that's crazy is that like I'm the one who gave that message at Connect about remembering who God is and three
00:29:19
weeks later I'm like over here in a rough uh rough space. Um, which is kind of embarrassing, but also maybe what that is is like this is what uh this is what it is to be human and to need to constantly and consistently remind myself of who God is and to need to and the need to be surrounded by people who are also going to speak that truth into me in those spaces, in those seasons where uh maybe it's easy for me to forget. Um, but to have people who are uh reminding me like don't
00:29:49
forget who God is and what he's done. um don't forget who you are because of who he is and that you can trust him. And so yeah, I think that that reminder of like don't forget don't forget who I am um is what's sticking for me. Well, and even as we were saying, Shrea's Isaiah 40 is because we've spent so much time in it for the last um u seven eight months in just one chapter of Isaiah how it really has it pervades every part of and even pictures of eagles like now all of that just comes
00:30:25
rushing back and I'm reminded of the truth of of who God is. So, uh, may that also be true as, uh, we even move further away from PNA Connect that there's reminders that we get drawn back to of this, this is how this is who God is. This is how good he is. This is how big he is. Um, and, uh, we get to be a part of that and call attention to it and call it out. So, um, thank you for being on and willing to share your story, Carrie, Melissa, Matt. Thank you so much. um appreciate telling your story um and what God is still stirring in you from PNA connect.
00:30:59
And for those of you who are listening, thanks for joining us. And uh we hope and pray your um conversations, relationships, and what God is stirring in you is going beyond Sunday, beyond the last thing you were at, but but still hearing from God that he is stirring, he is moving, and he is calling us to himself. So, thanks for being with us. [Music] I love the PNA connect because it's a it's a chance to reconnect and connect and hear stories of what God's been doing around our PNA family and it's good to be here.
00:31:42
I love the PNA connect because the relationships that are represented here and just the collaboration and camaraderie of the leaders in our district. I love the PNA connect because one, free coffee. Way to go, New Horizons. I think it's important because um it's an opportunity for us to connect with other pastors and for us to know that we're not alone in this wonderful work that we get to do. And um it's just a great time to connect with other folks. [Music] [Music] PNA Connect is important because not only is it a space for us to come to to say hi to people we
00:32:24
haven't seen in a while to build connection, but it's also the place that we get to come and hear collectively from God for what he's doing already, the way the kingdom is already breaking through in our district and for what he's inviting us into going forward. I love the PNA Connect because it's an awesome opportunity to reignite our plans as ministry leaders and connect as a family to get ready for the year ahead. I love the PNA Connect because I love connecting with other people. I
00:32:47
love the PNA Connect because it's a great way to connect with other churches in the area as well as other churches that are farther away that we don't always get to communicate with. I love the PNA connect because it is a time to connect with fellow pastors and ministry leaders and to just pause, reflect, and be inspired to continue on the work of the ministry for the sake of the kingdom. We love Frankie boy coffee. [Music] as they go back to their respective locations and regions. Father God,
00:33:36
I thank you Lord that they Lord God will expel darkness in that area because they are the carriers of your glory in the mighty name of Jesus.
00:25:27
you know, where my where I'm going to be led in ministry and just keeping my eyes open and, you know, I it's like every moment I'm spending with someone, I talk with a lot of people on the phone and every moment I spend with them just feels like a gift hearing about these people and it's just I guess that openness to where God is leading me on this next journey. I guess my Chyros moment will be would probably be trusting God. You know, I think about the eagle and how it waits for
00:26:05
the right wind and everything. God put everything together in perfection how he wants it to move, how he wants us to be. and just trusting God and opening up and letting him work on me or let him work through me, you know, let just giving that that space for him to do what he needs to do. That's probably the the biggest thing that came from it out of that. For me, I think for me it's been um gosh, just the importance of relationship and whether that's relationship with the larger
00:26:47
uh PNA family uh or its relationship with um those that were in church with or in small groups. um the the importance of just being willing to enter into relationships and to see those um to see how God can work in the midst of of those conversations and u both for our own personal growth but then also for others um and those just and it goes back to the time thing. It just takes time and it takes usually a lot more time than what you think and and so just kind of um holding on to that and and sitting in that a little bit and um and just seeing where does God
00:27:34
bring into our lives those people of peace where we can um lean into and um and just see God work. No. Uh mine is specific maybe to this week but tied to connect in that um and it it's this it's coming out of Isaiah 40 which is a whole theme or focus of connect. Um and a lot of that chapter is about reminding ourselves of who God is um so that we can trust him in multiple different spaces. Um, and I had uh last week was a rough week for me, especially towards the front end of the week
00:28:13
um in in the realm of trusting trusting God and trusting the the good things he gives and whatever. And uh partway towards the end of the week, I got a text from uh one of the other speakers that was at Connect and it was pictures, three different pictures of eagles at the ocean. Shoes at the ocean and these pictures just came through and instantly there's this reminder, right? So now anytime I see an eagle, all of the things that we walked through at Connect and all of Isaiah 40 comes into mind. Um and so instantly I'm thinking um there there was like this um oh
00:28:47
right God I remember who you are. And then even Devon and I were having a conversation yesterday um just kind of reflecting on like man why why was last week so hard and what are the what's the invitation from God? And I think this uh it's the same reminder that comes out of Isaiah 40 like have you not seen have you not heard? Do you not remember who I am and what I've done? Um, and I think part of the the maybe next level of that Chyros for me, the thing that's crazy is that like I'm the one who gave that message at Connect about remembering who God is and three
00:29:19
weeks later I'm like over here in a rough uh rough space. Um, which is kind of embarrassing, but also maybe what that is is like this is what uh this is what it is to be human and to need to constantly and consistently remind myself of who God is and to need to and the need to be surrounded by people who are also going to speak that truth into me in those spaces, in those seasons where uh maybe it's easy for me to forget. Um, but to have people who are uh reminding me like don't
00:29:49
forget who God is and what he's done. um don't forget who you are because of who he is and that you can trust him. And so yeah, I think that that reminder of like don't forget don't forget who I am um is what's sticking for me. Well, and even as we were saying, Shrea's Isaiah 40 is because we've spent so much time in it for the last um u seven eight months in just one chapter of Isaiah how it really has it pervades every part of and even pictures of eagles like now all of that just comes
00:30:25
rushing back and I'm reminded of the truth of of who God is. So, uh, may that also be true as, uh, we even move further away from PNA Connect that there's reminders that we get drawn back to of this, this is how this is who God is. This is how good he is. This is how big he is. Um, and, uh, we get to be a part of that and call attention to it and call it out. So, um, thank you for being on and willing to share your story, Carrie, Melissa, Matt. Thank you so much. um appreciate telling your story um and what God is still stirring in you from PNA connect.
00:30:59
And for those of you who are listening, thanks for joining us. And uh we hope and pray your um conversations, relationships, and what God is stirring in you is going beyond Sunday, beyond the last thing you were at, but but still hearing from God that he is stirring, he is moving, and he is calling us to himself. So, thanks for being with us. [Music] I love the PNA connect because it's a it's a chance to reconnect and connect and hear stories of what God's been doing around our PNA family and it's good to be here.
00:31:42
I love the PNA connect because the relationships that are represented here and just the collaboration and camaraderie of the leaders in our district. I love the PNA connect because one, free coffee. Way to go, New Horizons. I think it's important because um it's an opportunity for us to connect with other pastors and for us to know that we're not alone in this wonderful work that we get to do. And um it's just a great time to connect with other folks. [Music] [Music] PNA Connect is important because not only is it a space for us to come to to say hi to people we
00:32:24
haven't seen in a while to build connection, but it's also the place that we get to come and hear collectively from God for what he's doing already, the way the kingdom is already breaking through in our district and for what he's inviting us into going forward. I love the PNA Connect because it's an awesome opportunity to reignite our plans as ministry leaders and connect as a family to get ready for the year ahead. I love the PNA Connect because I love connecting with other people. I
00:32:47
love the PNA Connect because it's a great way to connect with other churches in the area as well as other churches that are farther away that we don't always get to communicate with. I love the PNA connect because it is a time to connect with fellow pastors and ministry leaders and to just pause, reflect, and be inspired to continue on the work of the ministry for the sake of the kingdom. We love Frankie boy coffee. [Music] as they go back to their respective locations and regions. Father God,
00:33:36
I thank you Lord that they Lord God will expel darkness in that area because they are the carriers of your glory in the mighty name of Jesus.
