Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY200023A
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00:02 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:19 Removing pain 00:24 Lord, let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:35 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:46 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:08 Hello, friends, welcome to 3ABN Today. 01:11 My name is John Lomacang. 01:12 But, if you are part of our family, 01:14 you already know that. 01:15 If you're tuning in for the first time, 01:17 welcome to the network 01:19 that we believe is God breathed one 01:21 that is continuing even today as we sit here 01:24 to carry the gospel all the way around the globe, 01:28 24 hours a day, 01:29 seven days a week through television, 01:31 radio, internet and so many other means. 01:34 So thank you for your prayers, 01:36 and also your financial support 01:38 as we continue going and growing, 01:41 getting ready for the most important event 01:43 in the ages, the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 01:46 Today, we have a wonderful program, 01:48 faith versus sacrifice. 01:51 You know, we live in a day and age 01:52 where faith is on one side growing challenge by sacrifice, 01:56 sacrifice on the other challenging faith. 01:59 How do we merge the two together 02:01 and get involved in ministry? 02:03 Well, our guest today, 02:04 Tim Rumsey is going to talk about that 02:06 in his ministry. 02:08 But before I introduce him, 02:10 I want to just thank you 02:11 for all that you do for this ministry, 02:13 all that Christ has moved on your heart to do 02:15 whether you've come to work here, 02:17 or whether you volunteer, 02:18 or whether you sent your donations, 02:20 we do deeply appreciate that. 02:22 Right now, before we meet our guests, 02:23 we have some wonderful music, the song, 02:26 "Each One Reach One." 02:28 A very powerful song talking about 02:30 how the Lord can use you, 02:31 and Pam Lister is going to bless us 02:34 as we get ready for our program. 03:01 Tonight a man is somewhere 03:06 Proclaiming the good news 03:10 Winning families to Jesus 03:14 All around his neighborhood 03:17 He tells them that God is able 03:21 To make their house a home 03:26 He wants to win his world For Christ 03:30 But he can't do it alone 03:36 But each one 03:40 Can reach one 03:44 As we follow after Christ 03:47 We all can lead one 03:52 We can lead one 03:56 To the Savior 04:00 And together We can tell the world 04:04 Jesus is the way 04:08 If we each one 04:11 Reach one 04:23 The message is unchanging 04:27 "Go ye into all the world" 04:31 And share the love of Jesus 04:35 Far away or door to door 04:39 You see Just like somebody told you 04:43 Jesus loves you so 04:47 You must tell someone Who will tell someone 04:51 Until the whole world knows 04:57 Each one 05:00 Can reach one 05:04 As we follow after Christ 05:07 We all can lead one 05:11 We can lead one 05:15 To the Savior 05:19 Then together We can tell the world 05:23 Jesus is the way 05:27 If we each one 05:30 Reach one 05:35 So will you go and labor 05:38 Will you hold high your light 05:42 One by one, two by two 05:46 We can win our world 05:49 For Jesus Christ 05:54 Each one 05:57 Can reach one 06:00 As we follow after Christ 06:04 We all can lead one 06:08 We can lead one 06:12 To the Savior 06:19 And together We can tell the world 06:23 Jesus is the way 06:27 If we each one 06:33 Reach one 06:55 Thank you, Pam, for that wonderful song, 06:58 a beautiful segue into our program, 07:00 because our guest today understands 07:02 what it's like for each one to reach one. 07:06 Tim, good to have you here today. 07:08 Tim Rumsey, welcome back to 3ABN. 07:10 Thank you. Good to be here. Yes. 07:12 You know, we had a chance to sit down 07:14 and talk about the program prior to the program. 07:16 And there are some people watching 07:18 and maybe even listening to the program 07:19 that may say, "Hey, I know Tim," 07:21 but there's somebody who says, "Tim who?" 07:24 So kind of give us a little bit about your background, 07:26 where you're from, what you do right now 07:28 and then we'll dive into the specifics of the program. 07:31 Certainly. 07:33 We run a ministry called Pathway to Paradise Ministries. 07:36 Okay. And we began in 2014. 07:40 And I started out my working career 07:44 as a music teacher 07:45 and taught at the high school academy level 07:48 for about 10 years. 07:50 And shortly after my wife Stacy and I got married. 07:54 In fact, it was just a couple months 07:55 after we got married felt a very strong 07:57 and specific call from God 07:59 to be involved in ministry in some way. 08:03 We didn't know exactly what that meant 08:05 and so we began praying. 08:06 And we prayed for about eight months. 08:09 And it was through an entire school year, 08:12 my wife was teaching first and second grade at the time. 08:15 And we finally had to know what to tell her school, 08:20 if we were coming back the next year. 08:22 I was in graduate school at the time, 08:24 and working on a music degree, 08:28 and I had to tell that school if I was coming back or not, 08:32 and so we prayed very specifically, 08:33 "Lord, please show us by May 1 of that year, 08:37 what we should do." 08:38 And two days before that, 08:40 the phone rang and the next opportunity came, 08:43 which started us down this road of ministry work. 08:46 So we praise Him for what He's done 08:48 and look forward to sharing more. 08:51 Wow, wow. 08:52 So if you're looking at your background again, 08:56 music teacher that was the primary focus of, 09:00 but were you raised in a Christian home 09:01 or what kind of influence you had? 09:03 Yeah, I was raised as a Seventh-day Adventist 09:05 Christian home. 09:06 Good family, wonderful family 09:08 and so, I praise Him for that background, 09:11 which has definitely been a blessing. 09:14 Which gives you some anchor, some roots in there. 09:16 That's right. 09:17 Where did the inspiration come 09:19 and tell us what Pathway to Paradise Ministries 09:22 focuses on or is? 09:24 As you're talking about that, 09:26 where did that inspiration come from? 09:27 You talked about, "Okay, Lord, if You're moving us, 09:30 give us some indication by a particular date 09:33 as to whether my wife should continue 09:35 in what she's doing, whether I need to continue," 09:37 because that's a huge step of faith, 09:40 kind of like taking that parachute 09:41 and just diving out in the irreversible world 09:45 that lays before you. 09:47 Now, Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith," 09:50 it is not difficult, "but impossible to please God." 09:54 And in my own experience, 09:56 and as this ministry has been growing 09:58 and developing, 09:59 I can see very clearly that one of the primary things 10:02 Lord is trying to do for me personally, 10:05 is to develop faith. 10:07 And so, this is what we really... 10:08 This is our mission for this ministry 10:10 is to help other people to learn to trust God, 10:15 develop that trust and faith and come to the place 10:18 where they're willing to surrender 10:20 and trust completely God with their lives. 10:24 Now, what do you have you, when you think about, 10:26 well, I wake up one morning and I think, 10:27 okay, people need to trust God more. 10:29 Where did that spark come in? 10:31 Because I know that 10:33 when you dive out of the known into the unknown, 10:36 somewhere, you have to say, "Okay, Lord, 10:38 you're now challenging my faith also. 10:41 So would I be safe to say, 10:43 on the heels of you seeing God come through for you, 10:47 that has strengthened you to be able 10:48 to say to other people, 10:50 "Well, if God did this for me, God did this for you." 10:52 Where did the faith factor come in? 10:54 Absolutely. 10:55 And I think there's a deep connection 10:58 between faith and sacrifice. 11:01 Now there are many ways that God builds faith 11:03 in our lives. 11:05 For me personally, one of the big ways 11:06 that He has done this is by asking sacrifice. 11:12 I already mentioned a little bit 11:14 about that first years 11:15 we were struggling with this call, 11:17 what does this mean, you know, 11:18 where do You want us to go, Lord, do we move, 11:20 do we stay where we're at? 11:21 What does this look like? 11:23 And one of the things that I had to do before 11:26 I knew where the Lord was going to lead us next 11:29 was to be willing to give up my doctoral degree in music. 11:32 I was halfway through coursework, 11:34 I actually almost finished with coursework. 11:38 But as I mentioned a minute ago, 11:40 I had to tell the school if I was coming back, 11:43 if I needed the assistantship again the next year. 11:46 And as we were praying about this, 11:48 I finally came to the place where I told the school, 11:51 "No, I'm not coming back next year." 11:54 It wasn't till after that, 11:56 that God revealed the next step. 11:59 And so, for me personally, 12:02 this journey of growing in faith 12:05 has definitely been, 12:06 and it's not just once, it seems to be continual, 12:09 there's always the next test, 12:10 but being willing to sacrifice something for God. 12:13 So there was a no man's land moment 12:15 when you were leaving. 12:17 My wife and I went down to Zimbabwe and Zambia once 12:19 and when you cross from Zimbabwe to Zambia 12:22 or vice versa, 12:24 there's the bridge 12:26 that's considered no man's land. 12:28 You've left one country, 12:30 you haven't entered the other one yet. 12:32 So from hearing you correctly, 12:33 you had a no man's land experience. 12:35 Okay, we left that security. 12:39 Okay, what next, Lord? 12:41 What was that like and 'cause you are asking your wife 12:43 and do you have any children? 12:45 We have four children. Okay. 12:46 Blessed with two boys and two girls. 12:48 At the time, did you have those children? 12:49 No, we were just newlyweds when this happened. 12:52 Okay. 12:53 Good thing, because you know 12:54 when you talk about catapulting a whole family, 12:57 but now that you're involved in that, 12:58 we'll get to that in just a moment. 13:00 What was your wife? 13:02 What was her reaction? 13:04 Now I've been blessed with a godly woman 13:06 who loves God and has been supporting me 13:08 and encouraging me in this ministry from day one. 13:11 So we were praying together, she was excited as well. 13:15 And she's been a tremendous help to me. 13:18 Okay, so at breakfast, you say, "Okay Stacy," 13:21 which is your wife's name, 13:23 "the Lord has put it on my heart 13:26 to get involved in this kind of ministry. 13:30 Was it an immediate, "sure, whatever," 13:33 because I know... 13:34 Well, it was an immediate sure. 13:35 She didn't say whatever. She was excited. 13:38 So we immediately started praying 13:40 and looking forward to whatever was coming next. 13:43 That was coming next. 13:44 What does Pathway to Paradise Ministries do? 13:48 We present evangelistic series, 13:50 we work with local churches across the country. 13:53 We've been able to go overseas several times as well. 13:58 We also present revival series for churches. 14:01 We produce Bible study materials, 14:04 all with the focus and the aim of challenging people 14:08 in their relationship with God. 14:10 But really specifically, bringing people 14:13 with the Lord's help to the place 14:14 where they're willing to step out in faith 14:17 and trust God with their lives completely. 14:19 You know, with the... 14:21 We live in a world today 14:23 where ministries are on the left and right. 14:25 But you know what the Bible says, 14:27 "The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few." 14:30 And when we look at the disproportionate 14:32 amount of people in the world today, 14:34 you know, it seems like even in America, 14:36 there are some un-entered areas. 14:38 So God has now lit another candle 14:41 with you and your wife. 14:43 Who else is involved in the ministry with you? 14:46 Well, shortly after this first experience 14:49 that I've been sharing, 14:50 the Lord led us on a mission trip down 14:53 to Ecuador in South America. 14:56 I don't speak Spanish. 14:57 So I had an interpreter there 14:59 that worked with me and helped me. 15:02 And his name is David Salazar. 15:04 And that was about eight years ago 15:07 that this happened. 15:08 We lost track of each other after that. 15:10 But just a few years ago, 15:12 we reconnected at a couple of ASI conventions. 15:16 And David is now working with us 15:18 as an associate speaker, 15:20 and really a valuable asset to our ministry. 15:24 He runs a daily Bible study program 15:27 called Profundo Desea. 15:29 And it's based on the current Sabbath School lesson. 15:32 It's 15 minutes, 15:33 we've just started doing it in video 15:35 as well as an audio podcast. 15:37 I do the English version called Deeper. 15:39 So this is a daily outreach 15:40 that our ministry is doing 15:42 to try to connect people with the Word of God 15:45 and develop that relationship with Jesus. 15:48 I like the podcast aspect of it 15:50 because so many things today is geared around television, 15:54 where you got to sit to watch that, 15:56 but you can listen to podcasts in your car, on your phone. 15:59 It's very mobile, like 3ABN radio, 16:03 which my wife works, 16:04 very mobile aspect of getting the gospel out. 16:07 So if I could, walk me through one of your day to days, 16:10 and then we're going to talk about 16:11 the blessings that God brought your way. 16:13 So you wake up in the morning and you say, "Okay, 16:15 here's on the cutting board for today. 16:18 How does that work? I do a lot of writing. 16:20 And so I try to get that writing time, 16:22 which can be a challenge. 16:23 Each day we write a study guide 16:28 that goes along with these Sabbath School lessons, 16:31 but we have a number of other projects as well, 16:34 an exciting new project 16:35 that is requiring a lot of writing right now 16:38 is a set of Bible unit studies 16:41 that families can use for family worship, 16:43 that can be used in a homeschool setting 16:45 as a Bible curriculum, 16:47 could even be used in a Sabbath school setting. 16:49 And so there is... 16:51 This is just a new project that we're just starting here, 16:53 but that's requiring quite a bit of writing time. 16:56 We do recording each day 16:59 as you mentioned the podcasts are nice. 17:01 Not only can people listen anywhere, 17:03 but I can record in my pajamas if I want to, right? 17:07 You don't have to. 17:08 Like somebody says you have a perfect face for audio. 17:10 You know, so you don't have to get all dressed up 17:12 to even participate in that. 17:14 Yes, but there's regular recording projects that we do. 17:18 And as we'll be explaining more as we go through the program, 17:23 we're really occupied right now 17:25 with a new building that we have. 17:27 Yes. 17:28 So Profundo Desea, is that, is that Spanish? 17:32 I've been told that that's the translation 17:34 for deeper in Spanish. 17:35 And I have to trust my colleague for that. 17:38 Okay, that's really good. 17:39 Get that out of the way because I was thinking, "Okay, 17:41 I never heard that word before." 17:42 Now, it explains why, that's good. 17:44 But now the family worship part that's really important 17:46 because a lot of families today, 17:48 you know, we have Sabbath morning worship 17:50 or people that go to church on Sunday. 17:53 We have people that say, "Okay, 17:55 we're going to worship when we get to church together. 17:57 But the family worship part of it, 17:59 how did that come about? 18:01 Because that's a significant portion 18:03 of making the family altar valuable. 18:06 And as a father, and as a husband, 18:10 you know, that's really important. 18:11 Where did that inspiration come? 18:13 Well, it came from our own desire 18:15 to connect our kids with Jesus. 18:18 And, you know, we have this desire 18:21 to see our four children grow 18:23 in their own relationship with Jesus, 18:25 one that's not just an add-on to our relationship. 18:31 And, you know, that's a natural progression. 18:33 Kids will start by doing what their parents do. 18:35 Sooner or later, we each have to make 18:37 that decision for ourselves. 18:39 We have to make that commitment ourselves. 18:42 And our desire, of course, 18:44 to see our children as any parent desires, 18:47 see their children make that decision. 18:49 You know, we've been told 18:52 that the Bible should be the most interesting subject, 18:56 most captivating subject 18:58 that there is that we can study. 19:00 And so, a real goal that we have for this, 19:05 these unit studies that we're working on 19:07 is that we can provide tools for parents and teachers 19:11 to really make the Bible come alive 19:13 and be something that is 19:15 of intense interest to the children. 19:18 That's good because a lot of times, 19:19 we know, when you mentioned today, 19:21 especially in today's society, 19:22 where we have these digital devices 19:25 where people can pull up information, 19:27 often encouraging people, 19:29 you know, carry a physical Bible, 19:31 don't rely on your phone or your iPod 19:34 or whatever device you might have 19:36 to be your Bible, 19:37 because you have the knowledge of good 19:40 and evil right there together, side by side. 19:41 But when you have the Bible, 19:43 it's very interesting that you can make it available 19:45 and relevant to your young people. 19:47 Because when you say to children nowadays, 19:50 let's study our Bibles, 19:52 unless they know that there's a joy there, 19:54 which is something that the parent has to develop, 19:57 they'll always look at is, "We have to really study? 20:00 Dad, I mean, I don't understand that." 20:02 So how do you think it impact your children? 20:04 Well, you know, the children have to see that joy 20:07 and that excitement that desire in their parents as well. 20:11 And so, that's a challenge. 20:14 For me, it's a challenge, 20:15 for my wife, it's a challenge for every parent too, 20:19 to have that joy and that interest themselves 20:22 and then to share it with others. 20:23 By infusing in your children. 20:25 Now, this is, like somebody once said. 20:29 I was hearing a story about a guy 20:31 that doesn't like broccoli. 20:32 And he said, "My dad did not like broccoli." 20:34 Every time he ate it, I could see his face. 20:36 And so, he didn't want to even try it, 20:38 because he saw the reaction. 20:40 But when you taste and see that the Lord is good, 20:44 and your children say, "I want some of that." 20:46 And that's really good, 20:48 putting that together for families, 20:49 I think that's going to be a tremendous asset 20:52 because a lot of times evangelism... 20:54 We think of evangelism is outside the home, 20:57 tent or a large church or any kind of venue 21:00 where we are preaching to a large crowd. 21:02 But if I'm hearing you correctly, 21:03 you're saying evangelism impacts the local family also. 21:07 Well, it starts in the family, 21:08 and we know that children are most likely 21:11 to make a decision for Christ 21:13 in their first years, in their early years. 21:15 And so this is, 21:16 we need all the other forms of evangelism too, 21:18 but we can't neglect this one. 21:20 That's very good. I like that. 21:22 It starts in the family doesn't, 21:24 it doesn't end up there, 21:26 eventually it starts in the family. 21:27 As mom used to say, you know, "What you do at home, 21:30 you'll do abroad." 21:31 Charity begins at home, 21:33 all those cliches that are very true. 21:35 Now, where does is your ministry function? 21:37 What's the particular location? 21:39 We gonna kind of bring up some of these 21:40 and tell us about that before 21:41 we bring up the pictures that you brought with you? 21:43 Sure. Well, we just moved recently. 21:45 We are now located near Macks Creek, Missouri. 21:48 It's in Central Missouri. 21:50 If you look at the map, 21:51 it's near the Lake of the Ozarks there. 21:52 Okay. 21:54 And about a year ago, 21:56 my wife and I both became convicted 21:59 at the same time 22:00 that we needed to put our house up for sale. 22:02 At the time we were living closer to Kansas City, 22:04 about two hours from where we currently are now. 22:08 We just built that house about five years before, 22:11 it was kind of our dream home. 22:14 You know, it had everything that we thought we'd ever need 22:16 or want in it. 22:17 But we became convicted 22:19 that the Lord might want us to move 22:21 for a couple of reasons. 22:23 Number one, to have a place to really plant 22:25 and establish Pathway to Paradise Ministries. 22:28 Secondly, the house was bigger than we felt like we needed. 22:33 And so, we wanted to see 22:35 if there was an opportunity to sacrifice ourselves 22:39 and help this ministry grow. 22:41 So we put the house on the market 22:43 for a 6-month window of time. 22:45 And when I told the realtor that, 22:46 she kind of gave me a cross eyed look, 22:48 and she said, "Well, usually we do a year." 22:50 I said, "I know but we want to do six months 22:54 and I told her we're going to be praying 22:56 and see if the Lord sells." 22:58 Well, that was in the springtime 23:01 and so, 179 days went by. 23:05 And we had a few people look at the house, 23:06 but there were no offers. 23:08 The only offer came 23:10 on the last day of that six months, 23:13 for the exact amount that I had been praying about, 23:16 as a minimum, 23:17 which afterwards maybe think 23:19 I should have been praying for a higher minimum. 23:22 But you know, when something like that happens 23:24 when you've been praying for six months, 23:25 and on the very last day, 23:27 you receive an answer, you can't ignore that. 23:29 That's right. 23:30 So we saw very clearly this is the Lord's leading. 23:33 We have no idea where we're going next, 23:35 just like years before, yeah. 23:38 The Lord sometimes brings us around to the same experience, 23:41 it seems. 23:42 So we sold our house, and that was last fall. 23:46 And for the next four months, 23:47 we looked for property, we were praying, 23:50 didn't know exactly where to go. 23:52 Eventually, several months ago, 23:55 the Lord led us to a place near Macks Creek, Missouri, 23:59 we found a house there. 24:01 And one week after we closed on that house, 24:04 we were driving south to go shopping. 24:08 And we drove by a Seventh-day Adventist Church 24:11 in Macks Creek, Missouri 24:13 that had sadly closed its doors last fall 24:16 due to dwindling membership. 24:19 And my wife and I looked at each other 24:21 and we thought, well, maybe this is why the Lord 24:23 brought us here to live. 24:25 And to make a long story short, 24:28 Pathway to Paradise Ministries purchased that church building 24:32 about a month and a half ago. 24:34 Through a very generous donation, 24:36 we were able to purchase that in the ministry, 24:39 and we now have a new headquarters 24:41 to operate from. 24:42 You know, what I like about that. 24:44 The light got turned off, 24:45 but you turned the lights back on. 24:47 See, wait a minute. Wait a minute. 24:48 The Lord doesn't built churches to close them. 24:50 And we understand the challenges sometimes 24:52 that congregations face, especially in this day and age, 24:56 but that was interesting. 24:58 We have a picture of that building, 24:59 I want people to see that right there. 25:02 Beautiful. 25:03 No, it's in a beautiful location, 25:04 we have about four and a half acres there. 25:08 And we just feel very, very thankful, 25:10 it's on a state highway. 25:12 And it's a great location for the ministry. 25:15 And you know what's amazing about that, Tim, 25:17 is the Lord knew was already there. 25:19 And then, when you talk about that story, 25:21 and I think this is where the faith 25:22 and sacrifice comes in, 25:23 because we talked about first that no man's land of, 25:27 okay, we're not going back to school 25:29 to finish my doctorate degree 25:31 and with your wife's full support, 25:33 okay, let's go forward. 25:35 So what does the Lord want us to do? 25:36 And you get across the bridge into a new land. 25:39 And then how long after you began your ministry 25:42 did this change from location come in? 25:45 Our ministry began in 2014. 25:47 So we've been operating out of our basement 25:51 since, you know, since we began, 25:52 and it worked well, but as we've been growing, 25:55 we've been adding more people into the ministry, 25:58 it just wasn't enough room. 25:59 So this was another reason that we really felt like 26:02 we needed to put that house up for sale. 26:04 And make that sacrifice without knowing 26:08 where we might end up. 26:09 But trust God to provide what was needed. 26:12 I want to go back to Hebrews 11:6, 26:15 you know, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, 26:19 for He that cometh to God must believe that He is 26:21 and that He is a rewarder of them 26:24 that diligently seek Him." 26:26 I see something really important here, 26:28 we need to believe that God exists. 26:29 I mean, that's kind of the baseline. 26:31 We kind of start with that. 26:33 But that's not enough. 26:34 That's not the kind of faith God 26:36 is really looking for. 26:38 Because, yes, we need to believe that He is, 26:40 but we also need to believe that 26:41 He is a rewarder of those that seek Him. 26:45 In other words, He's a good God. 26:47 And as we are willing to trust Him more and more, 26:50 if that includes sacrifice to sacrifice more and more, 26:53 He's going to reward that. 26:56 And something I've found in my own life, 26:58 and I know many other people have as well, 27:00 is that you can't outgive God. 27:02 If you're willing to sacrifice Him with this, 27:05 or sacrifice this much for Him, 27:06 He's going to give back this much. 27:08 Exponentially. 27:09 Absolutely. 27:11 And we feel like God has done that here. 27:13 I went from a basement office to an entire building, 27:17 in fact, is going to work beautifully 27:19 for our ministry, 27:21 but also to try to reach that local community 27:23 with the gospel and the three angels' messages. 27:26 Wow, wonderful. 27:27 I want to go back to something you said a moment ago 27:28 because this really to me, in the lives of so many, 27:32 this is the bridge that they have to get across, 27:35 the reality that God exists. 27:38 You know, when you get to the reality 27:39 and accept the fact like you read the text, 27:42 must believe that He is. 27:45 Must believe that He is. 27:48 That was, I like the way you said that, Tim, 27:49 because when you believe that He is, 27:51 then you know if He's real, 27:53 He's going to reward those who seek Him 27:57 or diligently seek Him. 28:00 So God is not the hidden treasure. 28:02 He's the ever-existing God. 28:04 But when we search for Him, 28:06 like we're searching for that treasure 28:08 that we know is there. 28:10 We know eventually, as the guy said, 28:12 you know, eventually we're going to hit the vein. 28:14 You know, that's the treasure aspect of it. 28:17 But God, and I praise the Lord for that, 28:19 we're going to show the audience 28:21 on television here, 28:23 but those of you who are listening on radio, 28:25 we'll explain this, 28:26 how God sees long before we move, 28:30 how God knows long before we understand. 28:33 Now the building was a beautiful shot of it, 28:35 but when you got the building, there was some changes needed. 28:38 And you kind of put the elbow grease on 28:40 by getting together. 28:41 Explain that to us? That's right. 28:43 The building was first built in 1979, 28:46 structurally that, you know, the skeleton is very good, 28:48 but there's a lot of cosmetic updating 28:51 that needs to take place, renovations, 28:53 and there'd been quite a bit of water damage 28:55 in the basement. 28:56 So we've already in the last four weeks, 28:58 we've gutted half of the basement 29:00 replacing restrooms and a kitchen. 29:03 And that's going to continue 29:05 as we keep working our way through the building. 29:07 So this next picture here, let's talk about that? 29:11 Yes, that's me with my oldest son James 29:14 enjoying a sledgehammer work. 29:17 And the man standing next to me is Pastor David Salazar, 29:21 who I mentioned a few minutes ago. 29:22 Okay. 29:23 Because when you said your older son James, 29:25 I was thinking, boy, he's really tall. 29:28 Okay, good. 29:29 I'm glad you explained the other guy. 29:30 Yes. 29:32 Good, so your son is now beginning 29:33 to join you in this push 29:35 with his little sledgehammer there getting... 29:37 Was that the upstairs part of the... 29:40 That was the basement. 29:41 We were standing in 29:42 what will be the renovated kitchen. 29:44 Okay. 29:45 And this next picture we have here. 29:47 Talk about this one? 29:49 Yes, this is another view of that same room, 29:52 a little bit further progressed. 29:54 We are again putting in a fellowship hall 29:57 and kitchen there 29:58 and if we can go to the next picture, 30:00 few of the other areas, 30:01 this is another room in the basement. 30:04 And this will be a recording studio. 30:06 We're going to be dividing that room in half 30:08 and putting in a video production room. 30:11 The next picture shows the room just beside that, 30:15 we'll be putting a wall in here 30:16 and building a radio recording booth 30:18 as well as an editing room to control all these studios. 30:22 Wow, that's right, go forward. 30:23 I'm hearing you. 30:25 When the Lord provides a building like that, 30:27 He doesn't provide that building 30:29 to be stagnant. 30:33 Great vision. 30:34 So how do you see the shaping up 30:38 when you're putting your all into it, 30:41 I mean, the financial support to make that happen? 30:45 Yes, well, we continue to pursue our programs 30:49 as well as, of course, we have the sanctuary upstairs. 30:52 So we can use that to hold live meetings 30:54 and live events. 30:55 And we can film from there as well. 30:57 But we have a lot of ideas and a lot of plans. 31:00 We believe the Lord has big plans in store 31:03 for what He wants to do through this building here. 31:07 That does take money. 31:09 You know, I think of Noah's experience. 31:12 When God called him to build the ark, 31:14 there was a sacrifice demanded of Noah. 31:16 And just like today, 4,500 years ago, 31:19 it cost money to do a building project. 31:23 We're told that Noah invested everything 31:25 that he had in that ark, 31:27 total sacrifice on his part, 31:29 and the Lord rewarded him, didn't He? 31:31 Saved his family. 31:33 Absolutely. 31:34 And so we do have a budget, 31:37 estimated budget of $400,000 31:39 to complete all of the renovations 31:42 and some of the new building that needs to take place there. 31:46 We've already received $100,000 lead gift 31:49 to get us started. 31:50 We've received another pledge 31:53 for $150,000 in matching funds, 31:57 which leaves us 31:59 that needs to be raised to reach that $400,000 goal. 32:03 So we praise the Lord, 32:04 this is all happening in six weeks, very quickly. 32:08 That's good. 32:09 Once you move by faith, 32:11 once you see God, 32:13 God's hand leading you, 32:15 then the hesitation starts to dissipate. 32:17 So where there was a challenge on one side, 32:20 now the faith is saying, 32:21 "Hey, if, you know, if God is going to do this, 32:24 what else is God going to do? 32:25 And how else is God's going to do that?" 32:27 How do you produce your materials? 32:29 Talk about some, you know, you have Bible studies, 32:31 the printed material, how do you do that? 32:33 Well, we own a nice business type copier 32:37 and so a lot of the printed material 32:38 and study guides we print on demand 32:40 when those are ordered. 32:42 And we have enough equipment like paper folders 32:46 and so forth to make that happen. 32:49 Our videos we produce as well. 32:52 We have the cameras and the computers there. 32:54 So the Lord has blessed us with these resources 32:57 and we look forward to continuing to use it 33:01 to produce those materials that will help bring people 33:04 to that relationship with Jesus. 33:06 Now in every ministry development side, 33:09 there's an obstacle. 33:10 What would you say 33:11 your greatest obstacle right now, 33:13 as we talked about the financial part, 33:15 we'll talk about some of the needs later on. 33:16 But what are some of the challenges you face 33:19 because I know that, you know, 33:21 an airplane rises with its nose right into the wind. 33:24 What's the wind coming against you 33:27 in this day to day ministry? 33:30 Yes, right now, 33:32 we have several opportunities for ways that people can help. 33:37 We're having some work bees 33:39 and those will be ongoing probably several times. 33:41 And so people within driving distance 33:43 of Macks Creek, Missouri, 33:45 we would love to hear from them, 33:46 especially if they have building experience, 33:48 and they'd like to come in and help, 33:50 that's an opportunity. 33:52 We're also needing more people to help us in our ministry 33:56 with video production work. 34:00 Some of these types of things we're praying about 34:03 and waiting for the Lord to bring us the right people. 34:06 Now are these... 34:07 We'll give the website information 34:08 before the program is done, 34:10 or any of these needs for production, for equipment, 34:14 are they listed at all on your website? 34:16 They are. 34:18 Our website is www.PathwayToParadise.org. 34:22 And then off the homepage, 34:24 we have some pages that explain our needs there. 34:28 And also the opportunities for people to be involved. 34:31 Pathway to Paradise, beautiful name, 34:33 but how did you arrive at it? 34:35 My first evangelistic series that I preached, 34:39 I developed and wrote that series 34:41 and that was the name of that series. 34:43 That was before the ministry really got started. 34:46 And then shortly after that, 34:48 as my wife and I were searching for a ministry name, 34:52 we thought, well, Pathway to Paradise 34:53 seems like a good name. 34:55 Let's use that. 34:56 So that's how that name came about. 34:58 So it was the one that you're using 35:01 for your own ministry. 35:03 And now that's the working challenges, 35:07 more people on the side helping out 35:10 if you can build any spiritual challenges 35:14 that you face, 35:15 because I know anytime you get involved in ministry, 35:17 you know, the devil always tries to, 35:19 on those days try to say, "Well, Tim, 35:21 I mean, do you really think this 35:23 is going to work?" 35:24 Any of those challenges or are they minimizing? 35:26 Oh, no, there's always the spiritual challenges 35:29 and those just increase as time goes on. 35:35 There have been challenges for my wife and I, 35:37 we've shared a number of those here this, 35:39 you know, today as we've been discussing this, 35:42 that willingness to sacrifice 35:44 and it's tough for every one of us, 35:45 and we each have a different area 35:47 where it's a challenge for us. 35:49 My challenge may not be your challenge. 35:51 And your challenge may be something 35:52 I don't struggle with. 35:54 But the willingness to surrender 35:57 and to follow the Lord even when we can't see 36:00 what that might mean, 36:01 I think that's the biggest thing. 36:03 It has been for me and for others it is as well. 36:08 You know, one of the illustrations 36:10 I use frequently is the African Impala, 36:12 a small animal, 36:13 and it can leap up to 30 feet or so I've read, 36:17 incredible agility and strength in that animal. 36:20 But in a zoo, if you go to a zoo, 36:23 they can be kept in their enclosure 36:24 with just a three-foot wall. 36:26 They could leap two or three times that high, 36:29 but they can't see. 36:30 If they can't see where they land, 36:32 if their eyes are just below that three-foot wall, 36:34 they will not jump. 36:36 And so often we are like that. 36:38 If we can't see what it's going to mean 36:40 on the other side, if I truly trust God, 36:42 if I truly follow Him. 36:44 I've been there myself, "Lord, I can't do it. 36:47 Can I really trust You?" 36:48 And to me, it again goes back to Hebrews 11:6. 36:52 Yes, we need to trust and believe that God exists. 36:56 But there's even more to it than that. 36:57 We need to trust and believe that He's a good God 36:59 and that He is someone 37:01 that we are safe with our lives launching out, 37:05 taking that leap 37:07 that He'll catch us in places right 37:08 where we need to be. 37:10 Wow. 37:11 You know, what I'm hearing, Tim is, 37:12 you know, where people that may be listening 37:14 to the program that are challenged by, 37:15 you know, their faith and their fears 37:17 or their sacrifices, some people will say, 37:20 well, the fear of the unknown is the thing 37:24 that keeps me frozen at the place 37:28 where I'm not even willing to go forward. 37:31 When did you break through that barrier? 37:34 Because I know I'm looking at many aspects 37:37 of each of the lives of Christians 37:39 that are able to get to the place, 37:40 even 3ABN is a miracle. 37:43 And we look back on the footsteps, 37:45 you know, how it grew through the years, 37:46 but we knew that along the way, 37:48 there was some of those breakthrough moments. 37:51 Do you mark those as your Ebenezers, 37:54 you know the term Ebenezer? 37:55 Yeah, we do. 37:57 And I think we have to have that. 37:59 We each need that pile of stones, so to speak, 38:01 like when the Israelites pass through the Jordan River, 38:04 Joshua told them, 38:05 build this pile of stones as a reminder 38:08 of what the Lord has done. 38:09 And we need to do that 38:11 in whatever form that means in our lives. 38:13 So that we can look back and say, "Okay, 38:15 the Lord worked for me here. 38:17 I trusted Him here. 38:19 He worked a miracle here." 38:21 That means that now today where I'm at right now, 38:23 in this situation, I can trust Him. 38:26 And it's so important to have those markers behind us 38:30 because at least in my life, 38:32 the challenges continue to increase 38:34 and get greater and greater. 38:36 I look at Abraham's life. 38:38 Now God gave him incredible promises. 38:41 If you will follow Me 38:42 and go to a land that you don't know, 38:44 I will make a great nation of you. 38:46 And Abraham at the time, 38:48 he had to make a decision of sacrifice. 38:51 He had to leave his home, he had to leave his friends, 38:55 probably many family members, 38:56 maybe a prosperous job. 38:59 He had to be willing to give all of that up 39:00 and follow God. 39:02 And he does and God blesses him. 39:04 And you come to the end of Abraham's life, 39:06 and he has the greatest test of faith, 39:09 probably that any person has ever had, 39:11 and that is to sacrifice his son Isaac. 39:16 Today, we remember Abraham as the father of the faithful. 39:19 There's a reason for that, 39:21 because he was willing to sacrifice 39:23 and to trust God to that degree. 39:27 That's a challenge for us. 39:28 That's right. 39:29 In what you said, I want to reiterate that 39:31 because it's important that people get it. 39:33 When you catapult yourself forward, 39:37 that Impala example is beautiful. 39:39 When you can't see that's when you have to, 39:41 that leap of faith is the term I like to use the Impala. 39:45 I'm not going to jump if I can't see 39:47 where I'm headed, but in the Christian's life 39:48 when you know God is there, when you know He's real, 39:51 you can take that leap of faith and when you land successfully, 39:55 then you say it was not as bad as I thought 39:57 it was going to be. 39:59 Actually was better than I thought 40:00 it was going to be. 40:02 And then He brings another obstacle. 40:03 And a lot of people don't see obstacles 40:05 as God's appointments. 40:07 They see obstacles as a hindrance of faith 40:11 rather than a developer of faith. 40:13 Talk about that, because you've seen, 40:16 you know, the sacrifices, you made some major sacrifices 40:19 and anybody diving into what you're diving into now, 40:22 there will be those days where you'll say, "Oh, 40:25 how much do we need to get that video equipment? 40:28 When will the audio boards arrive? 40:30 I wonder if we could hire one more person." 40:32 You're going to have those continual challenges. 40:34 But what you have now is you've seen God working 40:38 and you know that more challenges 40:39 are going to come. 40:40 You don't anticipate them, 40:42 but it's a part of faith building. 40:43 That's right. 40:44 And another thing 40:46 that has become so evident to me 40:47 is that God often requires us to claim His promise, 40:51 but then act before we see the fulfillment of the promise. 40:55 It's kind of like the Israelites again, 40:56 when they cross the Jordan River, 40:58 those priests had to get their feet wet 41:00 in the river, 41:01 the toes had to touch the water and then the water stopped. 41:05 And I've seen this many times in our experience 41:07 as this ministry has been growing, 41:09 that, yes, we need to pray 41:11 and we need to claim God's promises, 41:13 but then we act in faith. 41:15 And as we do that, 41:17 then the fulfillment of the promise comes. 41:19 Because when you read that passage, 41:22 without faith, I love that going back, 41:25 it's impossible to please God. 41:27 It's impossible. 41:28 So for people that are trying to please God without faith, 41:31 what is it? 41:33 Impossible, because He is saying to us, 41:35 we have this faith walk, and faith, 41:38 I had a quotation the other day, 41:40 faith does not see where it's going, 41:45 but it loves the one that's leading. 41:49 And you know that, you see that. 41:51 Absolutely. 41:52 Those of us who work here at 3ABN know that, 41:54 we see that. 41:55 And I want to make this clear as well. 41:58 Because it's not just ministries like 3ABN 42:01 or our ministry Pathway to Paradise Ministries, 42:04 that God is trying to develop this faith 42:06 going forth. 42:07 It is everybody, every Christian, 42:10 the entire world needs to hear the gospel, 42:12 the whole world needs to hear the three angels' messages. 42:15 And frankly, it's a bigger job than any ministry can do. 42:19 God needs every single person involved. 42:21 There you go. 42:22 And in order for me as a person, 42:25 to share that experience with others, 42:27 I have to have it myself first. 42:29 And so God is working. 42:30 He's trying to do this in every person's life. 42:32 That's right. 42:34 Now talk about some of the needs you have 42:36 because you have the budget for the continual building, 42:39 reiterate that, what still needs to be raised? 42:43 We need $150,000 42:45 and then we'll have met our $400,000 goal. 42:48 And that's the building goal? 42:49 That's the building that included modeling, 42:51 renovation, a little bit of new construction 42:53 within the building for office spaces and studios. 42:56 Okay. All right. 42:58 Now, let's go to the next level 42:59 of what are some of the other needs? 43:02 Well, we need better equipment for recording. 43:06 We have cameras that work for us. 43:09 But we need bigger hard drives, 43:11 video files take up a lot of space. 43:14 And now, you keep using the space 43:16 and you can't reuse it if you want to save that. 43:17 So, we need some really large hard drives 43:22 that operate at the speeds you need for video editing, 43:25 as well as a new computer as well 43:27 that can handle all of that. 43:29 So those are probably our biggest needs 43:30 from the production standpoint. 43:32 Okay. 43:33 A lot of people don't understand that 43:34 because when you evolve in ministry like here at 3ABN 43:38 when we go back in the archives, 43:41 every ministry has an archive, excuse me, 43:44 and so you have to store that, you don't just, 43:46 well, we did that program, let's go and erase it. 43:48 No, that's just valuable history. 43:51 Not only in the recalling of what happened in the past, 43:54 but in fact programs 43:55 that will continue to be used in the years. 43:58 Any other particular needs you have? 44:00 Well, we're always looking for more effective ways 44:03 to get the material out. 44:05 It's one thing to produce material, 44:07 it's something else... 44:08 Well, the second half of that 44:10 is getting the material out there, 44:11 which also takes money, whether you're, 44:14 you know, mailing things to people 44:15 or if you're buying airtime for those 44:18 that, you know, the broadcast networks 44:20 and so, we need those that will partner with us 44:24 to provide the ongoing funds to get this material out, 44:28 whether it's radio, or television, 44:33 or mailing things to the local communities. 44:35 Okay. 44:36 So increasing staff eventually, building up stair, 44:39 but right now it's, as you mentioned, Pastor... 44:45 David Salazar. 44:46 Pastor David Salazar 44:48 and obviously families growing up in that area, 44:51 your wife is also and this transition, 44:54 are you far from the facility that you're presently boarding? 44:57 We're about 15 minutes away our house, 44:59 just the right distance. 45:01 Just the right distance. 45:02 Wake up in the morning, let's go out and get involved. 45:05 And the sanctuary, about what size, capacity? 45:09 I would say, it can hold about 100 people probably. 45:11 Okay. 45:13 So undoubtedly now as I'm looking 45:14 at the development of this building, 45:16 because it's an Adventist building, 45:18 because you're an Adventist, 45:19 I can't see 45:21 how it won't be open on Sabbath. 45:23 Well, I think eventually, 45:25 that certainly goal of ours is to... 45:29 You know, we've been looking 45:30 for a church to go to ourselves. 45:32 Right. 45:33 And with that church closed down, 45:35 we have to drive about an hour in any direction 45:36 to get to the nearest church. 45:38 So there's definitely a need in that community 45:40 for a Seventh-day Adventist Church, 45:42 and we hope that this can help meet that need. 45:44 Yeah, the Lord might be pushing you 45:46 in that direction next, 45:48 because Macks Creek 45:50 and I know of Missouri briefly. 45:55 I lived out there a little bit, beautiful. 45:57 And are you near the Rolling Hills? 45:59 We are. 46:01 Lake of the Ozarks has a lot of hills around it 46:04 and it's really a beautiful area. 46:06 Wow, wow. 46:08 Wonderful. 46:09 Any other needs you have? 46:11 The prayer. Prayer? 46:12 Every ministry needs prayer. 46:14 And this is really the fuel that runs ministries, 46:18 and we covet the prayers of your listeners, 46:22 you know, and our supporters, absolutely essential. 46:25 You know, prayer's really important. 46:27 But there's something that came to my mind 46:28 as I was looking at one of the earlier pictures. 46:31 I saw that beautiful brick structure out 46:34 in front of the church, 46:36 and I was thinking to myself, are you going to... 46:37 Yeah, here's this picture. 46:39 Are you going to put your sign, your name there? 46:43 Well, this is another need we have. 46:45 We do need a sign 46:46 and we will put our name out there 46:48 but that particular frame for the sign 46:50 is actually too far off the road. 46:52 And I myself have flown by it, 46:54 slammed on the brakes and had to turn around. 46:57 So we also need to move that sign out 46:59 closer to the road. 47:00 And we would love to be able to get a digital sign out there 47:03 that can really grab attention 47:04 and let people know what's going on. 47:06 Okay. 47:08 Because I know that when you talk about visibility, 47:10 the Lord puts you out there and as He says, a candle 47:13 that's lit should not be put under a bushel, 47:16 bushel will suffer. 47:17 And a city on the hills should not be hidden, 47:19 and God wants to. 47:21 And so, if you're watching, 47:22 you could tell this ministry is something that God birthed, 47:25 I believe that fully, 47:26 and Pathway to Paradise, what a name. 47:30 And we think about all the obstacles 47:32 that God has already been able to give you, 47:35 faith to challenge it, 47:37 the sacrifices you and your wife 47:39 are continuing to make. 47:41 And I think the song that we have 47:43 that just really summarizes it. 47:46 Tim, is there anything too hard for God? 47:49 And as you're watching, before we go to our news break, 47:52 I want you to listen to the song 47:53 because this is a ministry, 47:55 when God births anything, 47:57 He moves the mountains in front of it. 47:59 Listen as Pam blesses us with the challenge, 48:02 "Is Anything Too Hard For God." 48:14 It's out of your hands 48:16 You've done all you can do 48:22 You've given God your problem 48:25 It's no longer up to you 48:29 You've prayed the prayer Of faith 48:33 You're standing on God's truth 48:36 While you're waiting For an answer 48:40 He has a question for you 48:46 Is anything too hard for God? 48:55 Who's got a problem 48:58 Beyond His power to solve? 49:02 Are there situations 49:05 He's not the Master of? 49:09 Is anything too hard for God? 49:21 Only believe, Trust His word 49:24 You'll see 49:28 His plans are now unfolding 49:32 Performing perfectly 49:36 It's clear How much He loves you 49:40 Look at all He's done 49:43 For all your questions 49:46 There's really only one 49:53 Is anything Too hard for God? 50:01 Who's got a problem 50:04 Beyond His power to solve? 50:09 Are there situations 50:12 He's not the Master of? 50:16 Is anything too hard for God? 50:24 Are there situations 50:27 He's not the Master of? 50:31 Is anything 50:38 Too hard 50:42 For God? 50:52 Well, thank you so much, Pam, 50:54 my answer to the question you posed is no, 50:57 there's nothing impossible for God. 50:58 What about you, Tim? I agree. 51:00 Well, I tell you, you know, you've been watching 51:02 and listening to the program about Paradise to Path, 51:05 Pathway to Paradise Ministries, excuse me, 51:08 and God raised this ministry for such a time as this. 51:14 We talked about the building needs, 51:15 the financial project that's being built. 51:19 Also the road sign, 51:21 that we're looking forward to changing also. 51:24 And when we think about the way that God does things, 51:27 He never does things second class, 51:30 but many of you that are watching 51:31 would like to find out 51:33 how you can be supportive of this ministry, 51:35 and send your donations and go to their website. 51:38 Here is the information that you need to be a support 51:42 and carry the gospel throughout the world. 51:46 If you would like to find out more about Pathway to Paradise 51:48 and how you can support their important mission, 51:51 please visit their website, PathwayToParadise.org. 51:54 That's PathwayToParadise.org. 51:57 You may also call them at 855-447-8788. 52:03 That's 855-447-8788. 52:08 Or write to Pathway to Paradise, 52:11 PO Box 36, Macks Creek, 52:14 that's Macks Creek, 52:17 Missouri 65786. 52:20 That's Pathway to Paradise, 52:23 PO Box 36, Macks Creek, 52:26 Missouri 65786. |
Revised 2020-09-18