I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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I want to spend my life
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Removing pain
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Lord, let my words
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Heal a heart that hurts
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I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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Hello, and welcome to
another 3ABN Today program.
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We are so glad that
you have joined us today.
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I'm Greg Morikone,
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and this is my wonderful
wife sitting next to me, Jill.
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And I don't know
how your day is going,
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I know here at 3ABN,
it's going very well.
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And I can say
that with confidence
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because Jesus Christ
is the Lord of our lives,
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He's leading this ministry.
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And we just want to
say a great big thank you
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for your prayers
and financial support
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to the ministry of 3ABN,
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because it's those
of you that are donating
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on a monthly,
weekly basis, yearly basis.
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Some people give
us a large donation
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maybe once a year,
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but some of you are consistently
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supporting this
ministry monthly.
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We say thank you. And
why is that important?
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Well, it helps to spread
the gospel around the world.
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And I think
that's neat, isn't it?
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'Cause we're part of a team.
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We're obviously
teamed up with Jesus Christ
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who is the Lord of our life,
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and He is the one
that's directing this ministry.
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But it's because of
you and your support
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to this ministry
that is continuing
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to go around the world.
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Now today, we have, sweetheart,
a really exciting testimony,
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we could say love story.
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It's kind of interesting
before we came on here today...
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I'm going to go and say
his name, Jason, the husband.
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He was saying,
"You know, I had a whole
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like five-year
plan figured out."
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Well, they got married
quicker than five years.
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And she said...
What did she say?
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"I was never
planning on being married."
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So this is amazing
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what God has
done in their lives,
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and what a powerful testimony...
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I still consider
you and I newlyweds,
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though we've been married now...
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Well, it's a
while, I don't know,
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it depends on when this airs,
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but it'll be 16 years this year.
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Sixteen years.
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They've just
been married months,
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but it's neat to see
the glow on their faces,
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not only because
they're in love with each other,
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but they're in
love with Jesus Christ.
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So who do we have with us today?
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I'm excited about this program
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because I think we
all like a love story.
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But to me, the
key is a love story
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that's rooted and grounded
in the love of Jesus Christ.
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And they're
going to share with us
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how they met, their
journey, their experience,
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as well as the pivotal part
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that prayer played
in their entire journey.
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So we're going to
learn all about that.
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So we want to introduce
to you our special guests,
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we have Jason and
Natanya Vanderlaan.
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And we are so glad to
have both of you here.
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Yeah, we're glad to be here.
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So where is home
for you right now?
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So we're living in
Burlington, Vermont.
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Okay. Kind of
cool neck of the woods.
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Yeah, a little
bit colder up there.
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And you actually have a ministry
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that's entitled
Upward Movement Ministries,
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and you're actually
a pastor, Pastor Jason.
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So you're a pastor... Yes, yeah.
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You're not a pastor now,
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but, obviously,
you're a pastor in,
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I think you said, Philadelphia?
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Is that right?
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Yeah, I was
pastoring in Philadelphia
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at the REACH
Philadelphia Church.
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Before you got married?
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Yes. Yup.
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Okay. Yeah, before we met.
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And then I moved up
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after we got
married to Burlington.
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And we've been just living life
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and doing our own
ministries there as well.
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Amen.
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And they are on a really
neat tour too, aren't they?
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You're on a love
tour, is that right?
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Yes, we are.
We're on our love tour.
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So what is a love tour, Natanya?
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So the term had been
coined some time ago,
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but it really
has been an extension
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of what God has given us.
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When we decided we
wanted to get married,
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we knew that even in our wedding
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that ministry would
be a cornerstone in that.
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So as we were doing the planning
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and going through
even the invitations,
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we thought, "How can
we minister in this?"
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And so the love
tour was kind of a way
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to open the doors to invite
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absolutely
everybody 'cause then...
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You understand,
you can't have everyone
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at your wedding, right?
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But we've created this idea
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where we've traveled
actually internationally
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and in the United
States to share our love
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with our friends, our
family, and now, with anyone
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who has an open ear
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because as you said
it, it is a love story,
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but more importantly, to us,
it's a power of prayer story.
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Yes. Praise the Lord.
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And it really embodies
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the spiritual
discipline of testimony
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as a practice, yeah.
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Amen. That's incredible.
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So tell us, Greg had
mentioned this briefly,
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you were thinking, Natanya,
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"I'm not even
going to get married.
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I'm going to do ministry."
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So what ministry
were you involved in
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before you met Jason?
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So I've done a lot
of public health work,
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which kind of evolved
into population health work.
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And I was doing story telling,
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working very
closely with people.
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I'm doing empowerment
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with women and underprivileged,
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minorities, and...
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Yeah, I was
doing a lot of really
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interesting work in Boston.
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And I was hoping to do
that one day internationally.
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I didn't know how God
would grow, like my work,
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but I knew that I
loved to work on a very close
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and interpersonal
level with people.
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And so I thought I'd
continue to do that work.
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I love to travel.
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I have a really broad
circle of friends and family,
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and I was
perfectly content, you know?
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Yes.
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I didn't really feel like
there was need for anything,
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but God knew, and my mom knew
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that there was
more to the story.
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So I have to
praise Him for that.
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Wow!
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Already whetting
our appetite, right?
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This is going to be a
great, yeah, testimony, again,
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of what God has done
and is doing in their lives.
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And I know we have a
scripture that you like to share
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before we go to the music.
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Absolutely.
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And this is a
scripture that I know is pivotal
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in you-all's relationship.
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And, to be honest, at 3ABN,
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this has been a cornerstone
of 3ABN from the beginning.
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Danny Shelton always quotes this
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at the end of the Today program.
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I'm in Ephesians 3:20, 21,
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"Now to Him who is able
to do exceedingly abundantly
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above all that we ask or think,
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according to the
power that works in us,
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to Him be glory in
the church by Jesus Christ
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to all
generations, forever and ever.
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Amen."
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Amen. Amen.
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Well, why is that scripture
before we go to the music?
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Why is that significant
or important for you all?
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We often pray scripture.
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And so this has been one
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that we've claimed aggressively.
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Yeah. And God
never fails to respond.
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Amen.
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And we just found in
our experience of each other
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and in the prayer
experience we've had together
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that it's so much more than
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we could have ever
imagined or asked for.
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Oh, my goodness. So much more.
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And this just been...
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You know, our cup is overflowing
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with His blessings.
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Even now. Yeah.
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Amen.
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The key is just to surrender
everything to Jesus Christ,
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isn't it?
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And He takes it from there
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'cause He knows what is
best for each one of us.
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And we have some
special music today
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by a great friend of
the ministry of 3ABN,
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Mary Grace.
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And she's going to be bringing
a song to us today entitled
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Lord, Be Glorified.
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Amen. Thank you
so much, Mary Grace.
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What a great song
too, Lord, Be Glorified.
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And I know that's
what I want in my own life,
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and I hope yours at home too.
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You're saying, "Lord,
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I just
rededicate my life to You.
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Lord, be glorified in my life."
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You know, one of the things
that we're going to touch on
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today as well is that,
00:11:00.92\00:11:02.26
you know, we all
have a testimony.
00:11:02.29\00:11:03.89
Yes, we're hearing
from the Vanderlaans today
00:11:03.93\00:11:05.79
and what God is
doing in their life,
00:11:05.83\00:11:07.63
but, you know, we
all have a testimony
00:11:07.66\00:11:09.00
that we can share with others
00:11:09.03\00:11:10.37
because if we allow God
to do something in our life,
00:11:10.40\00:11:13.50
He is glad to do it.
00:11:13.54\00:11:14.87
I think I just
have to surrender,
00:11:14.90\00:11:16.24
we all have to surrender
our lives to Jesus Christ.
00:11:16.27\00:11:18.94
So who do we have
with us in case someone's
00:11:18.97\00:11:20.31
just joining us now at home?
00:11:20.34\00:11:21.68
We have Pastor Jason and
Natanya Vanderlaan with us.
00:11:21.71\00:11:25.25
And you're going to be
sharing your incredible story,
00:11:25.28\00:11:27.68
your testimony of how
God brought you together
00:11:27.72\00:11:30.99
in marriage and in
ministry and how...
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That song is really...
00:11:34.06\00:11:35.39
It's perfect for this interview
00:11:35.42\00:11:37.33
because God is being glorified
in your lives together.
00:11:37.36\00:11:41.43
So let's begin with how you met.
00:11:41.46\00:11:45.60
I didn't know who
wants to pick that up first.
00:11:45.63\00:11:47.17
Yeah, I can start.
00:11:47.20\00:11:48.54
So the great thing
about our testimony
00:11:48.57\00:11:50.17
is that prayer has just
interwoven through all that.
00:11:50.21\00:11:52.11
Oh, throughout.
00:11:52.14\00:11:53.68
And, you know, the points
we want to share about prayer
00:11:53.71\00:11:56.61
come directly from our
story of coming together,
00:11:56.64\00:11:59.71
that we've learned, you know,
00:11:59.75\00:12:01.08
in the presence
of God in the prayer,
00:12:01.12\00:12:03.32
we've gained perspective,
we can see as God sees,
00:12:03.35\00:12:06.52
we can have perseverance
trusting God's ways,
00:12:06.55\00:12:10.19
and we can also partner with God
00:12:10.23\00:12:11.79
which is just how it
all culminates together,
00:12:11.83\00:12:13.46
and so really...
00:12:13.50\00:12:14.83
I like that.
00:12:14.86\00:12:16.20
So say that one more time
that He has a number of Ps.
00:12:16.23\00:12:17.57
Perspective. The three Ps.
00:12:17.60\00:12:18.93
Perspective.
00:12:18.97\00:12:20.30
Yeah, perspective,
perseverance, and partnership.
00:12:20.34\00:12:21.67
Amen. Oh, I like that.
00:12:21.70\00:12:23.04
Yeah, that's really great.
00:12:23.07\00:12:24.41
And so perspective is definitely
00:12:24.44\00:12:26.04
where it all started.
00:12:26.07\00:12:27.88
So it was two
Christmases ago I think.
00:12:27.91\00:12:31.01
And I was preparing the sermon,
I was just looking at how
00:12:31.05\00:12:34.75
when Jesus came into this world,
00:12:34.78\00:12:36.82
people have been waiting
00:12:36.85\00:12:38.19
and praying for
Him for a long time.
00:12:38.22\00:12:40.26
But when He came, almost nobody
knew that it had happened.
00:12:40.29\00:12:42.82
Yeah. It's true.
00:12:42.86\00:12:44.19
Like the answer to
everybody's prayers
00:12:44.23\00:12:46.26
was already set in motion,
00:12:46.29\00:12:48.46
and yet, most people thought
00:12:48.50\00:12:50.00
God still wasn't
hearing their prayers.
00:12:50.03\00:12:51.67
Yes.
00:12:51.70\00:12:53.03
And I was feeling
that in my own life,
00:12:53.07\00:12:54.40
like I was really
discouraged and feeling like...
00:12:54.44\00:12:56.77
And a lot of my prayers,
00:12:56.81\00:12:58.21
I feel like they're
just not seeing the results
00:12:58.24\00:13:00.51
that I wanted at that time.
00:13:00.54\00:13:01.88
I think a lot of
people can feel that way.
00:13:01.91\00:13:04.11
Were you praying
for wife at this time?
00:13:04.15\00:13:05.91
Or was that not
included in your prayer life?
00:13:05.95\00:13:07.88
It was included, yeah. Okay.
00:13:07.92\00:13:09.25
So that was one of those prayers
00:13:09.28\00:13:10.62
that you were saying,
"God, I'm not seeing results.
00:13:10.65\00:13:12.05
I'm not seeing an answer"?
00:13:12.09\00:13:13.42
Yeah. Okay.
00:13:13.46\00:13:14.79
And it was
definitely one of them.
00:13:14.82\00:13:16.16
There is more, but
just a lot of feeling,
00:13:16.19\00:13:18.16
like, waiting
for a breakthrough,
00:13:18.19\00:13:19.93
you know, waiting
for that to happen.
00:13:19.96\00:13:22.10
Yeah, because marriage
is a very critical thing,
00:13:22.13\00:13:24.00
you know, for us in a ministry,
you know, you are a pastor
00:13:24.03\00:13:26.40
and, yeah, you want to
marry the right person.
00:13:26.43\00:13:29.70
Because otherwise
life could be horrible.
00:13:29.74\00:13:31.07
Yeah, for sure.
00:13:31.11\00:13:32.44
If you rush ahead, and just,
"I want to do this my own way."
00:13:32.47\00:13:34.14
Excellent.
00:13:34.18\00:13:35.51
And I never could have...
00:13:35.54\00:13:36.88
You know, I was
definitely praying for like
00:13:36.91\00:13:38.25
the right person for me,
00:13:38.28\00:13:39.61
but also wanting someone
that was going to be like
00:13:39.65\00:13:40.98
a life ministry
partner that, like,
00:13:41.02\00:13:44.69
we could do
everything in ministry together,
00:13:44.72\00:13:47.66
and that was
really important to me.
00:13:47.69\00:13:49.76
So I was praying for that,
00:13:49.79\00:13:51.13
and I didn't even
know that a month before
00:13:51.16\00:13:53.50
I was writing the
sermon, I had just met Natanya.
00:13:53.53\00:13:56.97
And I didn't even...
00:13:57.00\00:13:59.07
It wasn't on my radar that this
was the answer to my prayers.
00:13:59.10\00:14:02.60
Yeah, it was.
00:14:02.64\00:14:03.97
And so it was really interesting
00:14:04.01\00:14:05.34
that I was writing
about this in a message
00:14:05.37\00:14:07.31
and God was
fulfilling it in my life
00:14:07.34\00:14:10.08
even though I didn't know it.
00:14:10.11\00:14:11.45
Ain't that amazing? Yeah.
00:14:11.48\00:14:12.81
So you actually met a month
00:14:12.85\00:14:14.18
before you're
writing the sermon?
00:14:14.22\00:14:15.55
Where did you
meet the first time?
00:14:15.58\00:14:17.12
Yeah, so we met in New Hampshire
00:14:17.15\00:14:19.59
at a counseling
training seminar.
00:14:19.62\00:14:23.43
So what's really
interesting about that
00:14:23.46\00:14:24.83
is the year prior
to that, Jennifer Jill,
00:14:24.86\00:14:28.30
who does the A
Multitude of Counselors on 3ABN.
00:14:28.33\00:14:31.47
She does. Great friend
of the ministry at 3ABN.
00:14:31.50\00:14:33.84
Yeah.
00:14:33.87\00:14:35.20
She was holding that seminar
in my backyard basically,
00:14:35.24\00:14:37.91
like five minutes from my house.
00:14:37.94\00:14:39.87
And I was like
so excited about it,
00:14:39.91\00:14:41.61
I wanted to like
learn more about counseling
00:14:41.64\00:14:43.65
and how to do
that as a ministry.
00:14:43.68\00:14:45.65
And so I was set to go to
it and at the last minute,
00:14:45.68\00:14:48.38
something came
up with the students
00:14:48.42\00:14:49.92
I was working with,
and I had to be with them.
00:14:49.95\00:14:52.05
And I couldn't go.
00:14:52.09\00:14:53.42
And I just sort of really
discouraged, you know, like,
00:14:53.46\00:14:55.39
"Man, this is like
a great opportunity,
00:14:55.42\00:14:57.49
and why didn't
God let this happen?"
00:14:57.53\00:14:59.86
And, you know, sometimes
00:14:59.89\00:15:01.56
it's those prayers that God says
00:15:01.60\00:15:02.96
no to that end up
being the greatest blessings.
00:15:03.00\00:15:05.47
Amen. Yeah.
00:15:05.50\00:15:06.84
Because the year
later, she's like,
00:15:06.87\00:15:08.20
"Oh, I'm doing
the seminar again."
00:15:08.24\00:15:09.57
I was like, "Great."
00:15:09.60\00:15:10.94
She's like, "This time it's in
New Hampshire, six hours away."
00:15:10.97\00:15:12.71
I was like, "Oh, a little more
inconvenient, that's not as..."
00:15:12.74\00:15:17.55
Further away from
home. It's not your backyard.
00:15:17.58\00:15:18.91
Yeah. No.
00:15:18.95\00:15:20.28
But I felt like a really
strong calling to go to it
00:15:20.32\00:15:23.28
and to be a part of it.
00:15:23.32\00:15:24.65
So I was planning to go,
00:15:24.69\00:15:26.45
and then so it was a
Friday and Saturday seminar.
00:15:26.49\00:15:30.06
Thursday night, I was
going into a board meeting
00:15:30.09\00:15:31.99
right before that,
and my car battery died.
00:15:32.03\00:15:34.06
Oh, no.
00:15:34.10\00:15:35.43
And I was thinking, "You know,
00:15:35.46\00:15:36.80
it's a late
church board meeting,
00:15:36.83\00:15:38.17
you know, how those go,
00:15:38.20\00:15:39.53
they can be
really long sometimes.
00:15:39.57\00:15:40.90
And by the time it's over,
00:15:40.94\00:15:42.27
everything's going to be closed.
00:15:42.30\00:15:43.64
I won't get a battery
till the next morning.
00:15:43.67\00:15:45.04
I'm going to miss
half the seminar."
00:15:45.07\00:15:46.44
In my mind, I said, "I'm
not even going to go, I'm done."
00:15:46.47\00:15:49.41
And right as I'm
walking into that board meeting,
00:15:49.44\00:15:51.98
my friend,
Mario Bravo comes out.
00:15:52.01\00:15:53.68
And I just mentioned
to him what's going on.
00:15:53.72\00:15:55.12
He's like, "I'm going to
go to the store right now,
00:15:55.15\00:15:57.39
buy you a battery,
and get it to you."
00:15:57.42\00:15:59.72
And so by the time, I
was out of the meeting,
00:15:59.75\00:16:01.56
I already had a
battery left in my car.
00:16:01.59\00:16:03.73
And God provided in
ways that I didn't even know
00:16:03.76\00:16:06.56
how great that was going to be.
00:16:06.59\00:16:07.93
Amen. And so I
left the next morning.
00:16:07.96\00:16:10.23
Yeah, the six-hour drive.
00:16:10.27\00:16:11.60
Yeah, did the six-hour
drive, made it up there.
00:16:11.63\00:16:14.67
I was just really
enjoying the material
00:16:14.70\00:16:17.21
and felt like I was growing.
00:16:17.24\00:16:19.04
And I went down for a dinner
that evening, and suddenly,
00:16:19.07\00:16:21.28
there is this beautiful
woman who is standing there.
00:16:21.31\00:16:24.18
And then I'm like,
"Wow! This is really nice."
00:16:24.21\00:16:26.78
And so that's how I met her.
00:16:26.82\00:16:29.72
I think it's funny,
00:16:29.75\00:16:31.09
Jennifer Jill always jokes
00:16:31.12\00:16:32.52
that we both met
in the line of duty.
00:16:32.55\00:16:35.69
And I think that
that's really beautiful
00:16:35.72\00:16:38.23
and ties in with our
point that when we are praying,
00:16:38.26\00:16:42.90
God works in ways we
would have never even perceived.
00:16:42.93\00:16:46.37
Yes.
00:16:46.40\00:16:47.74
And prayer is not a
magic button that we press,
00:16:47.77\00:16:51.04
but when we are in the
presence of God rather,
00:16:51.07\00:16:53.84
we can't help but be changed.
00:16:53.88\00:16:55.48
There's always
change in God's presence.
00:16:55.51\00:16:58.58
Amen. Yeah.
00:16:58.61\00:16:59.95
So what was your
first impression?
00:16:59.98\00:17:01.32
And why were you at
the seminar there, Natanya?
00:17:01.35\00:17:04.52
So I was actually
helping host the seminar.
00:17:04.55\00:17:07.06
Okay. It was at my home church.
00:17:07.09\00:17:10.06
And my mother and I
had invited Jennifer Jill,
00:17:10.09\00:17:13.80
and we were collaborating
with the local church
00:17:13.83\00:17:16.13
and women's ministries
to have her come out...
00:17:16.16\00:17:18.50
She'd done several
seminars for us by that point,
00:17:18.53\00:17:21.34
and we've worked
very closely together.
00:17:21.37\00:17:23.64
And so I was very
excited, and I remember,
00:17:23.67\00:17:26.98
I was also working a
lot that time of year.
00:17:27.01\00:17:31.41
And so I wasn't there for the
beginning part of the training.
00:17:31.45\00:17:35.85
I came in the
evening just to check in
00:17:35.88\00:17:37.22
and make sure
everything was running smoothly.
00:17:37.25\00:17:39.62
And, yeah, I met
Jason, and it's funny
00:17:39.65\00:17:42.12
because as
wonderful church folk do,
00:17:42.16\00:17:47.16
several people said,
00:17:47.20\00:17:48.53
"You know,
there's this really nice,
00:17:48.56\00:17:49.90
young gentleman
here, you should meet."
00:17:49.93\00:17:53.27
And I never really
thought anything of it.
00:17:53.30\00:17:55.90
I thought he was
a great young man,
00:17:55.94\00:17:59.24
very well-rounded, you
know, Christian gentleman.
00:17:59.27\00:18:03.31
And I thought
he'd be a great friend.
00:18:03.35\00:18:05.85
And so I made sure
that he was meeting
00:18:05.88\00:18:09.22
all the other young
people and made sure
00:18:09.25\00:18:10.82
everybody was fed
and taken care of,
00:18:10.85\00:18:12.25
and I kind of went on
with whatever we were doing.
00:18:12.29\00:18:16.12
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:16.16\00:18:17.49
We like to say that we
think God was smiling really big
00:18:17.53\00:18:21.03
when we met
because we had no idea.
00:18:21.06\00:18:24.50
I obviously thought she
was a wonderful young lady.
00:18:24.53\00:18:28.40
But, you know, I was
living in Philadelphia,
00:18:28.44\00:18:31.37
she was just about to
go to school in Vermont,
00:18:31.41\00:18:34.18
and we had a lot of
differences in our backgrounds
00:18:34.21\00:18:37.35
and perspectives.
00:18:37.38\00:18:38.71
And we just...
00:18:38.75\00:18:40.22
I don't know, we
enjoyed the connection,
00:18:40.25\00:18:42.62
but we didn't see a future.
00:18:42.65\00:18:44.65
And so we parted
ways after that weekend.
00:18:44.69\00:18:47.02
We exchanged contact,
00:18:47.06\00:18:48.66
but really, we just, you
know, we texted once in a while.
00:18:48.69\00:18:51.99
So then a month later,
you're working on this sermon.
00:18:52.03\00:18:54.90
This is a month
after you met now.
00:18:54.93\00:18:56.73
And you're working on
this sermon and saying,
00:18:56.77\00:18:58.17
"God, why aren't these
prayers being answered?"
00:18:58.20\00:18:59.83
And He said,
"I'm already working."
00:18:59.87\00:19:01.20
I know. That's amazing.
00:19:01.24\00:19:02.97
So when did He
drop in your heart
00:19:03.00\00:19:04.71
that she's the one
that you need to pursue?
00:19:04.74\00:19:07.38
Yeah. So I guess in
January, beginning of January.
00:19:07.41\00:19:12.61
You know, we were starting
to text a little bit more,
00:19:12.65\00:19:14.42
and I called her
a couple of times.
00:19:14.45\00:19:16.79
And so we started talking,
00:19:16.82\00:19:18.65
but it was
really this prayer book
00:19:18.69\00:19:20.19
that we came across
that really sparked.
00:19:20.22\00:19:24.23
And God is so
funny the way He works,
00:19:24.26\00:19:26.39
as I mentioned, prayer,
00:19:26.43\00:19:27.90
I had a mother that was praying,
00:19:27.93\00:19:29.26
I had friends and
family that were praying.
00:19:29.30\00:19:32.37
I was given a
book three years prior.
00:19:32.40\00:19:36.60
It was entitled Draw the
Circle by Mark Batterson.
00:19:36.64\00:19:39.61
And I've done lots of
facilitation and workshops.
00:19:39.64\00:19:43.65
And, at that point, I think
00:19:43.68\00:19:45.01
I was doing a prayer
conference for the...
00:19:45.05\00:19:50.72
At the
Northeastern Women's Conference.
00:19:50.75\00:19:52.92
Okay.
00:19:52.95\00:19:54.29
And I did a talk on
prayer for the weekend,
00:19:54.32\00:19:56.83
and several women came,
00:19:56.86\00:19:58.19
and there was a one
woman in particular who said,
00:19:58.23\00:19:59.83
"You know, I
feel really impressed
00:19:59.86\00:20:01.26
to give you this book."
00:20:01.30\00:20:03.03
It's really changed my life.
00:20:03.06\00:20:05.47
It's a prayer challenge
you should do with someone.
00:20:05.50\00:20:07.80
I was very grateful,
and I took it to heart,
00:20:07.84\00:20:10.64
but as you know,
life can get very busy.
00:20:10.67\00:20:13.14
Oh, yeah, that's for sure.
00:20:13.17\00:20:14.51
And so I got home,
00:20:14.54\00:20:15.88
and it ended up
on the coffee table,
00:20:15.91\00:20:17.65
and then I moved, and it ended
up in a box and another box.
00:20:17.68\00:20:20.85
And here we are,
three years later,
00:20:20.88\00:20:23.89
I see it on the floor
of a friend's bedroom,
00:20:23.92\00:20:25.99
not my book, but
she had the same book.
00:20:26.02\00:20:27.49
I said, "Oh, you
know, I have the same book.
00:20:27.52\00:20:30.23
We should do it together."
00:20:30.26\00:20:31.59
And I thought it
was a sign. Yeah.
00:20:31.63\00:20:33.09
This is what's supposed
to happen with this book.
00:20:33.13\00:20:35.93
God saved it for this time.
00:20:35.96\00:20:37.77
And for several months,
00:20:37.80\00:20:39.13
we just couldn't meet, you know.
00:20:39.17\00:20:42.60
She was doing something,
I was doing something.
00:20:42.64\00:20:44.74
And even over the phone, like,
00:20:44.77\00:20:46.14
it just didn't workout
until finally, she said,
00:20:46.17\00:20:48.44
"You know what, I don't think
00:20:48.48\00:20:49.81
I'll be able to do
the book with you."
00:20:49.84\00:20:51.18
And I remember I was frustrated,
00:20:51.21\00:20:52.71
and I said Lord...
00:20:52.75\00:20:54.08
I know it might seem small,
00:20:54.12\00:20:55.45
but when you feel an
impression on your heart...
00:20:55.48\00:20:57.42
I said, "Who would You
like me to do this book with?"
00:20:57.45\00:21:01.69
And clear as day, I
remember I was in my car,
00:21:01.72\00:21:04.49
and God said, "Do with Jason."
00:21:04.53\00:21:06.33
And my response was... Oh, wow.
00:21:06.36\00:21:09.66
Of course, we
lecture God sometimes,
00:21:09.70\00:21:12.13
"Father, that
would be irresponsible
00:21:12.17\00:21:14.40
because I have
already friend-zoned him.
00:21:14.44\00:21:15.94
I'm not interested
in a relationship."
00:21:15.97\00:21:18.74
Yeah.
00:21:18.77\00:21:20.11
It wouldn't be
responsible to go into
00:21:20.14\00:21:22.31
such an involved exercise.
00:21:22.34\00:21:24.58
And that was the end.
00:21:24.61\00:21:26.28
That evening, Jason called me.
00:21:26.31\00:21:28.02
And this was maybe
the second or third time,
00:21:28.05\00:21:30.45
third time, he never called me.
00:21:30.49\00:21:32.22
And he said, "You know, I have
a few questions about prayer.
00:21:32.25\00:21:35.92
I know you do a lot
of work around prayer."
00:21:35.96\00:21:38.16
And this was the first
time we talked about prayer,
00:21:38.19\00:21:39.93
and I said, "You know
what, this is a sign, a sign."
00:21:39.96\00:21:43.90
I said, "You know what, Jason,
there's this incredible book.
00:21:43.93\00:21:46.53
I think you should get
it and do it by yourself."
00:21:46.57\00:21:49.77
Did you tell him that? I did.
00:21:49.80\00:21:52.61
He's feeling a little off-point.
00:21:52.64\00:21:53.98
I was still
digging my heels and...
00:21:54.01\00:21:55.78
Yes, I know I'm not.
00:21:55.81\00:21:57.41
You know, God is so good.
00:21:57.45\00:21:59.25
He just kept working with me.
00:21:59.28\00:22:01.55
And I felt a little
guilty. And I called him.
00:22:01.58\00:22:05.25
I called him the next
day, I said, "You know what,
00:22:05.29\00:22:07.36
I have the book
that I told you about.
00:22:07.39\00:22:09.99
If you'd like to do it together,
00:22:10.03\00:22:12.46
I would like to do it with you."
00:22:12.49\00:22:15.20
And as she was saying this,
00:22:15.23\00:22:16.56
I'm on my phone
getting it on Amazon Prime,
00:22:16.60\00:22:18.60
two-day shipping.
00:22:18.63\00:22:19.97
Yes, for getting the book. Yeah.
00:22:20.00\00:22:22.44
And it was funny
because, you know,
00:22:22.47\00:22:25.07
I thought the book
sounded a little gimmicky,
00:22:25.11\00:22:26.94
you know, like 40 days of prayer
00:22:26.98\00:22:28.31
that will change
your life like instantly.
00:22:28.34\00:22:30.55
You know, I was like,
00:22:30.58\00:22:31.91
"I think it's a little
more complicated than that."
00:22:31.95\00:22:33.31
But I really
wanted to talk to her,
00:22:33.35\00:22:35.02
and she really
wanted to do the book,
00:22:35.05\00:22:36.42
and so God used, you know,
00:22:36.45\00:22:37.79
those motivations to bring
us together into that space.
00:22:37.82\00:22:42.62
I also want to
just put out there,
00:22:42.66\00:22:45.36
I don't think that
there was anything incredible
00:22:45.39\00:22:48.66
about the book itself.
00:22:48.70\00:22:50.27
In the same way, I said, like,
00:22:50.30\00:22:51.63
prayer is not a
magic button that we press.
00:22:51.67\00:22:54.24
But this was a tool
that we were able to utilize
00:22:54.27\00:22:57.61
to come much closer
together and to God.
00:22:57.64\00:23:01.21
Yeah.
00:23:01.24\00:23:02.84
So we started doing the
book, and we were planning...
00:23:02.88\00:23:05.38
We were
thinking, you know, maybe
00:23:05.41\00:23:06.75
10, 15 minutes each morning.
00:23:06.78\00:23:08.72
And within the first week
00:23:08.75\00:23:10.39
that had turned
into an hour or two hours
00:23:10.42\00:23:13.36
of praying together
and discussing things.
00:23:13.39\00:23:15.16
Over the phone?
Yeah, over the phone.
00:23:15.19\00:23:17.03
So you'd read the book together,
00:23:17.06\00:23:18.39
and then pray together over
00:23:18.43\00:23:19.76
whatever the
questions were and then...
00:23:19.79\00:23:21.63
Yeah, and it was
two, three pages.
00:23:21.66\00:23:23.03
Okay. Not a huge commitment.
00:23:23.06\00:23:25.63
But God was really
working on our hearts.
00:23:25.67\00:23:28.57
And we were having to
rearrange our schedules
00:23:28.60\00:23:30.71
'cause we were praying together,
00:23:30.74\00:23:32.07
we were also
praying, you know, privately,
00:23:32.11\00:23:35.61
we're having
our own private time
00:23:35.64\00:23:36.98
that really
informed this practice
00:23:37.01\00:23:39.08
that we were growing into.
00:23:39.11\00:23:42.12
So when, in your heart,
did you start realizing, like,
00:23:42.15\00:23:44.12
"Oh, wow, this
lady is really special"?
00:23:44.15\00:23:46.69
Or this young man is...
00:23:46.72\00:23:48.06
It's funny you
asked that question.
00:23:48.09\00:23:49.46
Or maybe Natanya knew
first. Yeah, that's right.
00:23:49.49\00:23:51.23
I like to hear you.
I mean, I don't know.
00:23:51.26\00:23:52.59
Yeah. What happened next?
00:23:52.63\00:23:53.96
So God moved us in tandem.
00:23:54.00\00:23:56.50
I think Jason had
a hint before I did.
00:23:56.53\00:23:59.07
I'll bet. All right.
00:23:59.10\00:24:00.44
So day five... Of
the prayer book...
00:24:00.47\00:24:03.30
Day five of the prayer
book. So not even a week?
00:24:03.34\00:24:05.41
Not even a week.
00:24:05.44\00:24:07.24
You would wanted to pray
about our relationship, right?
00:24:07.28\00:24:10.85
There still has
different themes on each day,
00:24:10.88\00:24:12.48
and I was talking
about praying boldly
00:24:12.51\00:24:14.72
and not that you force
God's hand or anything,
00:24:14.75\00:24:16.79
but being really
honest and open with God
00:24:16.82\00:24:19.09
about the desires of your heart.
00:24:19.12\00:24:21.19
And so at the end of each time,
we would talk about, you know,
00:24:21.22\00:24:24.69
what do you want to pray
about today in regards to this.
00:24:24.73\00:24:27.80
And I was thinking in my mind,
00:24:27.83\00:24:29.23
I want to pray
that this relationship,
00:24:29.26\00:24:31.03
you know,
develops into something.
00:24:31.07\00:24:32.90
And I was like, "But,
I'm not going to say that
00:24:32.93\00:24:34.87
'cause like five
days in, that's too soon."
00:24:34.90\00:24:37.37
So I was kind of like
stalling and trying to think,
00:24:37.41\00:24:41.04
and she was just like,
00:24:41.08\00:24:42.58
"Just pray it out
loud when you're ready."
00:24:42.61\00:24:45.55
I was like, "Okay."
00:24:45.58\00:24:46.92
So, like, we started praying,
00:24:46.95\00:24:48.28
and I'm trying
to like figure out
00:24:48.32\00:24:49.75
what am I actually
going to pray about.
00:24:49.78\00:24:51.62
Because, you know,
it's the one to be genuine,
00:24:51.65\00:24:53.59
and this happened so
many times in our experience
00:24:53.62\00:24:56.59
that the Spirit
would just give us
00:24:56.62\00:24:58.23
words to say
and pray through us.
00:24:58.26\00:25:01.00
And so... Though
you hadn't intended.
00:25:01.03\00:25:02.36
Yeah, definitely, not intended
00:25:02.40\00:25:03.93
'cause I was figuring out
a way not to pray about it,
00:25:03.97\00:25:05.93
and then I find
myself praying out loud that,
00:25:05.97\00:25:09.64
you know, that I really
value this relationship,
00:25:09.67\00:25:11.94
this developing that
I want to see it grow.
00:25:11.97\00:25:13.84
Yeah.
00:25:13.88\00:25:15.21
And so then I pray that,
I'm just like, "Ah, okay."
00:25:15.24\00:25:17.55
So you prayed it out loud,
00:25:17.58\00:25:18.95
she heard it on the
other end of the line...
00:25:18.98\00:25:20.32
And what did you
think when you heard that?
00:25:20.35\00:25:21.68
Well, it was funny,
as I prayed before him
00:25:21.72\00:25:23.62
'cause I had
gotten a little impatient.
00:25:23.65\00:25:25.89
And my intention was
to pray for, you know,
00:25:25.92\00:25:29.59
run-of-the-mill
things, I had my list,
00:25:29.62\00:25:31.19
we all have our grocery list.
00:25:31.23\00:25:32.99
And as I started praying,
00:25:33.03\00:25:34.86
exactly what he
expressed happened
00:25:34.90\00:25:36.56
where I hear myself
claiming him boldly as mine.
00:25:36.60\00:25:42.97
I know. Jason?
00:25:43.00\00:25:44.34
Jason. I claimed...
00:25:44.37\00:25:45.71
Claiming Jason as
yours in your prayer?
00:25:45.74\00:25:47.11
Yes, and I was mortified.
00:25:47.14\00:25:50.01
You know, after he
prayed, and he prayed, you know,
00:25:50.05\00:25:52.88
about us in a very thorough
and more reasonable prayer.
00:25:52.91\00:25:57.85
But I got off the
phone, I was so embarrassed.
00:25:57.89\00:25:59.85
I couldn't even talk to
him for the rest of the day.
00:25:59.89\00:26:02.09
I was like, I didn't
text him, I didn't call him.
00:26:02.12\00:26:04.53
I was just like,
"Lord, what did I say."
00:26:04.56\00:26:07.93
But, you know, it was the
Holy Spirit at the same time,
00:26:07.96\00:26:10.17
like, I was a
little embarrassed,
00:26:10.20\00:26:11.53
but I was at peace.
00:26:11.57\00:26:12.90
I knew that God was working
out something greater than us.
00:26:12.93\00:26:16.34
And that's really I think
where perspective comes in.
00:26:16.37\00:26:19.74
He was
transforming our perspective
00:26:19.77\00:26:23.08
by the power of His Holy Spirit.
00:26:23.11\00:26:25.41
And we were
perfectly okay with it.
00:26:25.45\00:26:27.75
Yeah, so you're
asking when we knew.
00:26:27.78\00:26:30.35
It was... Yes.
00:26:30.39\00:26:31.72
We literally fell
in love in prayer.
00:26:31.75\00:26:33.22
That's powerful.
00:26:33.25\00:26:34.59
Like during that prayer is
when those walls that we had,
00:26:34.62\00:26:36.93
broke down.
00:26:36.96\00:26:38.29
And we could see what God saw
00:26:38.33\00:26:39.76
'cause we had our
whole list of reasons
00:26:39.79\00:26:41.80
why this wasn't going to work,
00:26:41.83\00:26:43.50
why we weren't the
right match for each other.
00:26:43.53\00:26:46.33
Just like a few days...
00:26:46.37\00:26:47.70
The beginning of the week,
00:26:47.74\00:26:49.07
I was telling my
best friend like,
00:26:49.10\00:26:51.17
"Yeah, she is nice,
00:26:51.21\00:26:52.54
but nothing is going to happen."
00:26:52.57\00:26:53.91
And then, like, a
week later, I'm like,
00:26:53.94\00:26:55.81
"I think I'm
going to marry her."
00:26:55.84\00:26:57.48
Did you really say that? Wow!
00:26:57.51\00:26:59.58
Isn't that something?
00:26:59.61\00:27:00.95
And so there is
00:27:00.98\00:27:02.32
this
transformation of perspective
00:27:02.35\00:27:04.49
in our minds where we saw.
00:27:04.52\00:27:06.72
And as we kept going, you know,
00:27:06.76\00:27:08.52
every day was a
further revelation
00:27:08.56\00:27:11.13
of what God was
wanting and what He saw in us.
00:27:11.16\00:27:14.03
And so, we more and
more, we saw as He saw,
00:27:14.06\00:27:17.23
and we were just
excited 'cause like,
00:27:17.27\00:27:18.60
"Wow, we really are
perfect for each other."
00:27:18.63\00:27:20.97
So as you prayed together,
God changed your perspective.
00:27:21.00\00:27:25.27
Your perspective in how
you looked at each other
00:27:25.31\00:27:27.58
and whether you
wanted a future relationship
00:27:27.61\00:27:30.45
or even to get
married and all of that,
00:27:30.48\00:27:32.08
and God changed
your five-year plan.
00:27:32.11\00:27:33.55
Yes.
00:27:33.58\00:27:34.92
He said, "It can be a
little shorter, My son."
00:27:34.95\00:27:36.28
Yeah. Yes.
00:27:36.32\00:27:37.65
I very distinctly remember,
you know, as she lectured God,
00:27:37.69\00:27:40.46
so did I, I was like,
"But what about the plan?
00:27:40.49\00:27:43.26
What about this
methodical, thought-out plan?"
00:27:43.29\00:27:46.63
And He was like,
"I'm going with Natanya,
00:27:46.66\00:27:49.23
this is the
direction we're going,
00:27:49.26\00:27:51.00
do you want to come with us?"
00:27:51.03\00:27:52.40
I was, like, "Yes."
00:27:52.43\00:27:53.94
I'd gave up my
plan 'cause, you know,
00:27:53.97\00:27:55.94
sometimes the
expected is not what God wants,
00:27:55.97\00:28:02.11
He wants the unexpected
00:28:02.14\00:28:03.48
to surprise us with joy
and to do, as the verse said,
00:28:03.51\00:28:06.21
immeasurably more
than we can ask or imagine.
00:28:06.25\00:28:08.25
Exceeding
abundantly. That's right.
00:28:08.28\00:28:10.02
Above anything we
could ask or think.
00:28:10.05\00:28:12.15
You know, it's so amazing
00:28:12.19\00:28:13.52
because the 40 days
ended on his birthday.
00:28:13.56\00:28:15.66
We didn't planned it that way.
00:28:15.69\00:28:17.46
And I had planned to
visit him four days after?
00:28:17.49\00:28:19.73
Yeah. She had
visited a couple times.
00:28:19.76\00:28:21.56
Yeah. During this 40 days?
00:28:21.60\00:28:23.06
Yeah. Okay.
00:28:23.10\00:28:24.43
But I show up, and he proposes.
00:28:24.47\00:28:26.37
Oh, wow. Yeah.
00:28:26.40\00:28:28.00
Four days after the
40-day prayer challenge.
00:28:28.04\00:28:29.94
Yeah. And the rest is history.
00:28:29.97\00:28:33.01
We got married a
few months later.
00:28:33.04\00:28:35.31
Wow. And we haven't looked back.
00:28:35.34\00:28:38.01
God has been so good.
00:28:38.05\00:28:39.68
I can truly say
exceedingly, abundantly,
00:28:39.71\00:28:42.45
above anything
we could have asked
00:28:42.48\00:28:43.89
or thought or even imagined.
00:28:43.92\00:28:46.35
Amen. Yeah.
00:28:46.39\00:28:47.76
Well, that's perspective.
00:28:47.79\00:28:49.26
Let's move into
perseverance. Yeah.
00:28:49.29\00:28:51.59
Talk to us about that and
the prayers of other people
00:28:51.63\00:28:54.46
along the journey.
00:28:54.50\00:28:56.80
So we had tons of
family, friends, church members
00:28:56.83\00:28:59.77
who have been
praying for us for years
00:28:59.80\00:29:02.44
and about many things
00:29:02.47\00:29:03.81
but, you know, they
want to do their matchmaking
00:29:03.84\00:29:06.14
and see us happily
married which is fine.
00:29:06.17\00:29:08.94
We wanted that too. Oh, yeah.
00:29:08.98\00:29:10.35
Yeah.
00:29:10.38\00:29:11.71
So for me,
00:29:11.75\00:29:13.08
it was especially
00:29:13.11\00:29:14.45
my mom had done a
lot of praying for me.
00:29:14.48\00:29:16.99
You know, ever since I was born,
00:29:17.02\00:29:18.69
she was praying
for me and for my wife.
00:29:18.72\00:29:20.56
So she was praying
for Natanya long before
00:29:20.59\00:29:23.06
she ever knew she existed.
00:29:23.09\00:29:24.43
Yeah, that's beautiful. Yeah.
00:29:24.46\00:29:25.79
And so for us,
there was a rapid process,
00:29:25.83\00:29:29.16
like, when it
actually started unfolding,
00:29:29.20\00:29:31.13
but it was the
culmination of years
00:29:31.17\00:29:33.37
of many people praying
00:29:33.40\00:29:35.04
and just trusting that
God would do something.
00:29:35.07\00:29:38.14
And my mom has a
friend at her school,
00:29:38.17\00:29:40.64
her name is Schwanda,
00:29:40.68\00:29:42.14
and they were
praying together for me
00:29:42.18\00:29:44.31
for like 10
years to find a wife.
00:29:44.35\00:29:47.02
And I never even met
Schwanda until after the wedding
00:29:47.05\00:29:49.98
because she was
just so dedicated
00:29:50.02\00:29:51.65
to praying for another person
00:29:51.69\00:29:53.96
that her friend cared
about that she's prayed for me,
00:29:53.99\00:29:56.93
like, every day for 10 years.
00:29:56.96\00:29:58.29
Ten years. It's incredible.
00:29:58.33\00:29:59.66
And it's just learning to trust
00:29:59.69\00:30:01.83
that God's ways
00:30:01.86\00:30:03.83
are what we can
trust and His timing.
00:30:03.87\00:30:06.13
You know, we might
wanted a certain time or place,
00:30:06.17\00:30:08.90
but He knows the right moment
00:30:08.94\00:30:10.44
when things can be
revealed and unfolded.
00:30:10.47\00:30:13.17
And so it's really powerful
00:30:13.21\00:30:14.98
to have people love you
and pray for you that way.
00:30:15.01\00:30:17.65
And this taught us to,
you know, we see the results,
00:30:17.68\00:30:20.92
the fruit of that prayer.
00:30:20.95\00:30:22.28
And so now when
we're praying things
00:30:22.32\00:30:23.72
that we don't see
the outcome right away,
00:30:23.75\00:30:26.59
we can know, we
can keep persevering
00:30:26.62\00:30:28.22
and keep trusting in God's way.
00:30:28.26\00:30:29.59
Amen. Amen.
00:30:29.62\00:30:30.96
And you
mentioned your mother too
00:30:30.99\00:30:32.33
earlier that she
was praying for you.
00:30:32.36\00:30:33.86
Yeah, prior we spoke
about praying boldly, right?
00:30:33.90\00:30:37.37
And sometimes God likes
00:30:37.40\00:30:39.10
when we pray those bold prayers
00:30:39.13\00:30:40.80
even when we get a little crazy.
00:30:40.84\00:30:43.44
Everybody who knows my mom knows
00:30:43.47\00:30:44.91
that she is more reserved.
00:30:44.94\00:30:46.27
She is more of a
behind-the-scenes person.
00:30:46.31\00:30:48.31
You won't see her upfront.
00:30:48.34\00:30:49.71
I'm on the platform at church,
00:30:49.74\00:30:51.15
and she always makes it
happen behind the scenes.
00:30:51.18\00:30:54.75
And she felt
compelled, one evening,
00:30:54.78\00:30:58.49
I was out with her
and one of my friends,
00:30:58.52\00:31:01.02
to make a proclamation,
a declaration on my behalf.
00:31:01.06\00:31:05.86
And so we're at a restaurant,
00:31:05.89\00:31:08.06
and my mom decided
00:31:08.10\00:31:10.03
that it was necessary
to get up on the table
00:31:10.07\00:31:12.90
and make an announcement.
00:31:12.93\00:31:14.27
Really? So she
sat up on the table.
00:31:14.30\00:31:16.44
Right, you're
Pastor's wife, right?
00:31:16.47\00:31:18.31
Who is rather reserved,
you said, behind the scenes...
00:31:18.34\00:31:19.67
Very reserved.
00:31:19.71\00:31:21.08
And she gets up on
the table and says,
00:31:21.11\00:31:22.84
"Excuse me, everyone,
00:31:22.88\00:31:24.21
I have an announcement to make."
00:31:24.25\00:31:25.68
This is to the
entire restaurant?
00:31:25.71\00:31:27.05
To the entire restaurant.
And so you are there.
00:31:27.08\00:31:29.32
And I'm there. And
you're like, "Mom!"
00:31:29.35\00:31:30.69
You probably wanted to dive
and go underneath the table.
00:31:30.72\00:31:32.95
I mean, I was so amused.
00:31:32.99\00:31:34.59
I said, "I don't
know what's going on."
00:31:34.62\00:31:37.76
"This year, my
daughter is getting married."
00:31:37.79\00:31:42.86
Everyone started
congratulating me
00:31:42.90\00:31:46.23
and, you know,
offering their best wishes,
00:31:46.27\00:31:49.37
and I'm just
laughing, this is hilarious.
00:31:49.40\00:31:52.24
But afterwards, I
said, "You know, Mommy,
00:31:52.27\00:31:53.61
you can't just
say stuff like that.
00:31:53.64\00:31:56.34
You know, I'm not even dating
00:31:56.38\00:31:57.71
or interested in dating anyone."
00:31:57.75\00:31:59.51
She looked at me and she said,
00:31:59.55\00:32:00.88
"No, that was not
like a fib or joke,
00:32:00.92\00:32:05.19
that was prophecy."
00:32:05.22\00:32:06.72
And I looked at her, and I said,
00:32:06.76\00:32:08.09
"Yes, yes, of course, sure."
00:32:08.12\00:32:10.03
But, literally, two
days to a year later,
00:32:10.06\00:32:14.53
I had to invite my friends
00:32:14.56\00:32:16.90
to the same
restaurant to celebrate
00:32:16.93\00:32:20.04
because Jason had just proposed.
00:32:20.07\00:32:21.80
Wow.
00:32:21.84\00:32:23.17
Incredible. Yes.
00:32:23.20\00:32:24.54
You know, again,
I want to stress,
00:32:24.57\00:32:25.94
you know, prayer
is not a magic button.
00:32:25.97\00:32:28.78
There is no formula or
thing that we can say or do,
00:32:28.81\00:32:33.21
but God is pleased
00:32:33.25\00:32:35.18
when we come
before His throne boldly.
00:32:35.22\00:32:37.59
And I think that He honored
my mother's wish that day
00:32:37.62\00:32:40.89
for she too had been praying
for a very long time, yeah.
00:32:40.92\00:32:45.19
For the young man
that you would marry?
00:32:45.23\00:32:46.63
That was
wonderful prayers, I'm sure.
00:32:46.66\00:32:48.00
Yes, definitely,
00:32:48.03\00:32:49.36
she was praying that God
00:32:49.40\00:32:50.90
would have someone
very special for me.
00:32:50.93\00:32:53.80
So I can just
imagine then the joy
00:32:53.84\00:32:55.17
that they must have
then as they have prayed,
00:32:55.20\00:32:57.34
you know, many, many years.
00:32:57.37\00:32:58.87
And then to see
what God has done.
00:32:58.91\00:33:00.58
Yes. Praise the Lord.
00:33:00.61\00:33:01.94
To this day, my
father is in disbelief.
00:33:01.98\00:33:03.58
He's a pastor.
00:33:03.61\00:33:05.01
And I remember
when I first told him,
00:33:05.05\00:33:09.58
"I'm in love with Jason.
00:33:09.62\00:33:10.95
I think I'm going to marry him."
00:33:10.99\00:33:12.35
He was on his
way out of the car,
00:33:12.39\00:33:14.92
putting on his suit
jacket to go up on the platform,
00:33:14.96\00:33:18.56
he paused, I was on
speaker phone, he said,
00:33:18.59\00:33:20.96
"Can we talk about
this another time?"
00:33:21.00\00:33:24.70
Because he was still using
as an example in his sermons,
00:33:24.73\00:33:28.34
like the point
that I had told him
00:33:28.37\00:33:30.01
that marriage is just a question
00:33:30.04\00:33:31.87
of picking your poison.
00:33:31.91\00:33:33.34
I was convinced that,
00:33:33.38\00:33:35.34
you know, life has
its responsibilities
00:33:35.38\00:33:39.18
and, you know, that's it,
that's it, it's difficult,
00:33:39.21\00:33:43.49
and it can work,
00:33:43.52\00:33:44.85
and it'll be better for
some and worst for others.
00:33:44.89\00:33:46.89
But that's what it
had come to for me and...
00:33:46.92\00:33:50.26
So you weren't
even... That's amazing.
00:33:50.29\00:33:52.29
I had not grasped
that before. Me neither.
00:33:52.33\00:33:53.66
I was thinking,
you just thought,
00:33:53.70\00:33:55.03
"Okay, you know,
serve God single,
00:33:55.06\00:33:56.80
I'll be in ministry."
00:33:56.83\00:33:58.17
But you were
actually anti-marriage.
00:33:58.20\00:34:00.20
I mean, I
wouldn't say anti-marriage,
00:34:00.24\00:34:02.00
but I wasn't
interested in it for me.
00:34:02.04\00:34:03.67
Wow. Okay.
00:34:03.71\00:34:05.24
Incredible. Yeah.
00:34:05.27\00:34:06.61
So it's really a miracle,
00:34:06.64\00:34:08.21
which is why my dad in disbelief
00:34:08.24\00:34:09.94
'cause that really
made him very sad, you know.
00:34:09.98\00:34:12.35
I mean, he and my mom
had been married very happily
00:34:12.38\00:34:14.18
for over 30 years.
00:34:14.22\00:34:15.95
And he wanted
what was best for me.
00:34:15.98\00:34:18.92
And so that really
troubled his spirit.
00:34:18.95\00:34:21.46
And so even till now, he says,
00:34:21.49\00:34:23.09
"You know, I never imagined
00:34:23.12\00:34:24.69
there would be anyone so perfect
00:34:24.73\00:34:26.96
and well-suited for you
00:34:27.00\00:34:28.36
'cause you are kind of unique."
00:34:28.40\00:34:31.03
But that's neat
though, you know,
00:34:31.07\00:34:32.40
'cause God
brings us all together,
00:34:32.43\00:34:33.77
and then He's put
your marriage together
00:34:33.80\00:34:35.44
as a ministry.
00:34:35.47\00:34:36.81
And that's what you are doing.
00:34:36.84\00:34:38.17
I want to just go
back to the perseverance
00:34:38.21\00:34:39.54
'cause one thing that
stuck out to me was like
00:34:39.57\00:34:40.98
when your battery was
dead, you know, you're like,
00:34:41.01\00:34:43.38
"Okay, this
could be sign from God.
00:34:43.41\00:34:44.75
I'm not going to go to this."
00:34:44.78\00:34:46.11
You know, it's just interesting
00:34:46.15\00:34:47.48
how God worked
all this things out.
00:34:47.52\00:34:48.85
He brought that
friend there, he said,
00:34:48.88\00:34:50.22
"Hey, I'll go to town
and get the battery for you."
00:34:50.25\00:34:51.59
I think many times, you
know, in all of our experiences,
00:34:51.62\00:34:54.56
perseverance is the key
00:34:54.59\00:34:55.92
because God wants us
to press into His presence
00:34:55.96\00:34:58.39
to come boldly
before Him, ask things.
00:34:58.43\00:35:00.36
You said be crazy, so to
speak, but just ask things,
00:35:00.40\00:35:03.03
"God this is what I'm wanting
00:35:03.06\00:35:05.23
or this is what
I think is best."
00:35:05.27\00:35:06.60
But at the same time,
00:35:06.63\00:35:07.97
it comes down to
surrender, doesn't it?
00:35:08.00\00:35:09.34
Because many times, I
pray these prayers to God,
00:35:09.37\00:35:11.27
and then I want them
answered in certain way.
00:35:11.31\00:35:12.94
So I'm almost telling God,
00:35:12.97\00:35:14.31
"Okay, I want You to answer
00:35:14.34\00:35:15.68
this way, this way,
this way, this way."
00:35:15.71\00:35:17.05
I'm going to like, you
said you're going to be married
00:35:17.08\00:35:18.41
in what, five years or
you had a five-year plan,
00:35:18.45\00:35:19.88
"I really don't think
marriage is best for me,"
00:35:19.91\00:35:21.72
but then, okay,
00:35:21.75\00:35:23.08
things are
happening and you're like,
00:35:23.12\00:35:24.59
"Wow, God, okay."
00:35:24.62\00:35:25.95
And you're going
with those leading,
00:35:25.99\00:35:27.32
and I think that's powerful.
00:35:27.36\00:35:28.69
But I like the perseverance part
00:35:28.72\00:35:30.06
though going back to that.
00:35:30.09\00:35:31.43
Definitely.
00:35:31.46\00:35:32.79
It definitely would have
been very easy for either of us
00:35:32.83\00:35:34.16
to short circuit that
process in the beginning
00:35:34.20\00:35:36.67
if we had insisted
00:35:36.70\00:35:38.03
on our own
vision, on our own plan.
00:35:38.07\00:35:39.40
Yes. Yes.
00:35:39.43\00:35:40.77
But, yeah, trusting that
perseverance of God's ways.
00:35:40.80\00:35:43.10
And being surrendered to God.
00:35:43.14\00:35:44.47
Amen. It's great.
00:35:44.51\00:35:45.84
So then, you
guys, then got married,
00:35:45.87\00:35:48.38
somehow you decided to form
a ministry then together too.
00:35:48.41\00:35:51.21
Do you want to hit
it upon that right now?
00:35:51.25\00:35:52.71
Yeah, and that goes
very well into our next step,
00:35:52.75\00:35:55.05
which is
partnering with God, right?
00:35:55.08\00:35:56.42
Yes.
00:35:56.45\00:35:57.79
So perspective...
00:35:57.82\00:36:00.22
Perseverance. Perseverance.
00:36:00.26\00:36:01.59
Yup, and then
partnering. And partnering.
00:36:01.62\00:36:03.63
Yeah. Yeah.
00:36:03.66\00:36:04.99
And, you know, they
all work together, right?
00:36:05.03\00:36:06.63
They do.
00:36:06.66\00:36:08.00
'Cause God through the
power of His Holy Spirit
00:36:08.03\00:36:10.10
is able to change
the way we see the world.
00:36:10.13\00:36:12.63
We're able to
see through His eyes
00:36:12.67\00:36:15.04
and that gives
us the trust, right?
00:36:15.07\00:36:17.31
That enables us to
persevere through the obstacles,
00:36:17.34\00:36:20.84
that affords us
00:36:20.88\00:36:22.21
the great gift of
partnering with God.
00:36:22.24\00:36:24.05
Yes, I know. Wow.
00:36:24.08\00:36:26.21
What a privilege. Yeah.
00:36:26.25\00:36:27.58
You know, ministry has been
00:36:27.62\00:36:29.12
such an integral
part of both of our lives.
00:36:29.15\00:36:32.75
And so it was very natural
00:36:32.79\00:36:35.06
for us coming
together to minister together.
00:36:35.09\00:36:37.93
Yes.
00:36:37.96\00:36:39.29
I knew if I ever
was with someone,
00:36:39.33\00:36:40.66
it would be for ministry
and it would be in ministry.
00:36:40.70\00:36:42.63
And he was praying for
exactly the same thing.
00:36:42.66\00:36:44.97
Well, were you really? Yes.
00:36:45.00\00:36:46.84
So 'cause you're a pastor
00:36:46.87\00:36:48.54
and so you're thinking
00:36:48.57\00:36:49.90
someone to come
beside you in the church
00:36:49.94\00:36:52.57
and minister
there in the church.
00:36:52.61\00:36:54.28
Yeah, yeah,
definitely, and to be more than
00:36:54.31\00:36:56.08
just, you know, like
a cultural Adventist,
00:36:56.11\00:36:59.41
but wanted 24x7...
00:36:59.45\00:37:01.58
Be involved.
00:37:01.62\00:37:02.95
Yeah, like, after we started
praying for a while together,
00:37:02.98\00:37:06.35
you know, there
was a conversation
00:37:06.39\00:37:07.72
we had where we
wanted to bring prayer
00:37:07.76\00:37:09.89
into every
conversation that we had,
00:37:09.92\00:37:11.56
to pray about every
decision we were making,
00:37:11.59\00:37:13.53
to pray about everything
00:37:13.56\00:37:15.30
and just to
invite God's presence.
00:37:15.33\00:37:16.90
And that, for me, was,
like, a really big sign,
00:37:16.93\00:37:20.04
like this is what
I've always been wanting
00:37:20.07\00:37:23.37
and haven't really
been able to find someone
00:37:23.41\00:37:24.74
who is committed to
prayer, not just as an act
00:37:24.77\00:37:27.58
but as a way of being
and doing like a whole...
00:37:27.61\00:37:30.15
A life discipline.
Life discipline, yeah.
00:37:30.18\00:37:31.51
Yes. Yeah, well said.
00:37:31.55\00:37:33.05
Yes.
00:37:33.08\00:37:34.42
So how soon
after you got married,
00:37:34.45\00:37:35.78
did you begin the love tour?
00:37:35.82\00:37:38.15
The love tour actually
began before we got married.
00:37:38.19\00:37:40.42
Before? Okay.
00:37:40.46\00:37:41.79
Our first love tour
was in New Hampshire.
00:37:41.82\00:37:43.43
And it was several months
after we had been engaged.
00:37:43.46\00:37:46.13
And we got
married in my hometown,
00:37:46.16\00:37:48.96
it's New Hampshire.
00:37:49.00\00:37:50.33
And so two and half hours away,
00:37:50.37\00:37:52.03
but I wanted to involve
00:37:52.07\00:37:54.77
and engage all my church family.
00:37:54.80\00:37:57.67
If you can
imagine, through the years,
00:37:57.71\00:38:00.08
my father is a pastor,
00:38:00.11\00:38:01.54
and we've known and
loved so many people,
00:38:01.58\00:38:05.75
far too many people
to invite to a wedding.
00:38:05.78\00:38:07.62
Yeah.
00:38:07.65\00:38:08.98
And so we had
our first love tour
00:38:09.02\00:38:10.62
prior to the
wedding in New Hampshire,
00:38:10.65\00:38:13.15
and that was really the kickoff.
00:38:13.19\00:38:15.46
Yeah. So what is love tour?
00:38:15.49\00:38:16.86
We talked about it
at the very beginning,
00:38:16.89\00:38:18.23
but if someone has
joined us part way through,
00:38:18.26\00:38:19.76
what is a love tour?
00:38:19.79\00:38:21.13
I know you talk about,
there's like music tours
00:38:21.16\00:38:22.76
that people do,
00:38:22.80\00:38:24.13
so would this be
similar or what's involved?
00:38:24.17\00:38:26.67
So we started off with the idea,
00:38:26.70\00:38:28.64
we wanted to go
to different cities
00:38:28.67\00:38:30.01
where we had a
large group of people
00:38:30.04\00:38:31.37
that we knew.
00:38:31.41\00:38:32.74
Especially 'cause
we got married so fast,
00:38:32.77\00:38:34.11
a lot of our friends
00:38:34.14\00:38:35.48
didn't get a
chance to meet the others.
00:38:35.51\00:38:37.18
And so we go to a city,
00:38:37.21\00:38:39.75
usually at a
church or something,
00:38:39.78\00:38:41.85
invite a bunch of our friends,
00:38:41.88\00:38:43.22
and they usually invite
a bunch of other people,
00:38:43.25\00:38:44.75
and we share our story.
00:38:44.79\00:38:46.45
And we share how
God brought us together.
00:38:46.49\00:38:48.72
And a lot of
times, we also involve,
00:38:48.76\00:38:51.39
you know, inductive
Bible study or prayer workshops
00:38:51.43\00:38:55.30
or, you know, invite people
into deeper prayer experiences.
00:38:55.33\00:38:58.43
It really gives a great
space for people to interact
00:38:58.47\00:39:00.80
with each other and
to connect with God.
00:39:00.84\00:39:03.30
And always food. Yes.
00:39:03.34\00:39:05.07
We love to have a reception.
00:39:05.11\00:39:06.98
It's an engaging experience.
00:39:07.01\00:39:08.58
Yes. Yes.
00:39:08.61\00:39:10.21
But don't you think
people connect over that?
00:39:10.25\00:39:11.81
Like fellowship.
00:39:11.85\00:39:13.18
People connect over food,
00:39:13.21\00:39:14.55
and people connect
over prayer as well.
00:39:14.58\00:39:15.92
That's true.
00:39:15.95\00:39:17.29
If you're inviting
them into that prayer time
00:39:17.32\00:39:18.99
and that prayer space,
that would connect as well.
00:39:19.02\00:39:20.82
Definitely.
00:39:20.86\00:39:22.19
And what we always tell
them is this is more than
00:39:22.22\00:39:23.56
just our love story.
00:39:23.59\00:39:24.93
This is a story
about the power of prayer
00:39:24.96\00:39:26.70
and how that can really
transform your experience
00:39:26.73\00:39:29.20
when you put yourself in
God's presence like that.
00:39:29.23\00:39:32.00
Yes. Yeah.
00:39:32.03\00:39:33.37
And so that's
what we've been doing
00:39:33.40\00:39:34.74
with our love tours.
00:39:34.77\00:39:36.10
We've gone all up
and down the East Coast.
00:39:36.14\00:39:38.07
And we just did one in
Indiana on our way over here.
00:39:38.11\00:39:41.38
And last weekend, we
did one in Paris, France.
00:39:41.41\00:39:45.38
That was really
fun to do with...
00:39:45.41\00:39:48.48
Her dad and mom are
over there doing ministry
00:39:48.52\00:39:50.99
with Upward Movement Ministry.
00:39:51.02\00:39:53.19
And so we're working with them
a lot to help coordinate things
00:39:53.22\00:39:57.06
and make things work for us.
00:39:57.09\00:39:58.43
It's been really a blessing
partnering with their work.
00:39:58.46\00:40:02.03
And allowing God to
let it grow as He sees fit
00:40:02.06\00:40:08.24
and using the love
tour to share His message.
00:40:08.27\00:40:12.61
So who would be
invited to a love tour?
00:40:12.64\00:40:14.38
Is it only newly married
or those that are thinking
00:40:14.41\00:40:16.21
about getting married?
00:40:16.24\00:40:17.58
Absolutely, anybody, everybody,
young and old, friends, family.
00:40:17.61\00:40:22.88
Those that are
just been married,
00:40:22.92\00:40:24.25
those who have been
married 30 years, 50 years...
00:40:24.29\00:40:25.62
Those who have
never been married.
00:40:25.65\00:40:26.99
Never been married, yes. Yeah.
00:40:27.02\00:40:29.02
So is it a whole weekend?
00:40:29.06\00:40:30.86
No, but I think
that's a great idea.
00:40:30.89\00:40:32.93
Okay.
00:40:32.96\00:40:34.30
You could do like a retreat
at a church or something.
00:40:34.33\00:40:35.66
Totally. Totally.
00:40:35.70\00:40:37.20
We've done
seminars and workshops,
00:40:37.23\00:40:38.77
but the love tours
have usually been similar
00:40:38.80\00:40:41.00
to like a reception.
00:40:41.04\00:40:43.37
We'll do it either in an evening
00:40:43.41\00:40:45.07
or sometimes
the Sabbath morning.
00:40:45.11\00:40:46.98
And it's usually just
like a several hours, yeah.
00:40:47.01\00:40:51.21
Amen.
00:40:51.25\00:40:52.81
So you'll share your testimony?
00:40:52.85\00:40:54.25
You said that
you'll share your testimony
00:40:54.28\00:40:55.82
and then there will be
some food, that's involved.
00:40:55.85\00:40:57.45
Some type of prayer.
Some time for prayer.
00:40:57.49\00:40:59.39
But I think that's really great
00:40:59.42\00:41:00.76
because prayer is
definitely an important aspect
00:41:00.79\00:41:02.96
and should be in
all of our lives.
00:41:02.99\00:41:04.73
And I think this is
just an incredible thing,
00:41:04.76\00:41:06.09
they're not only talking about
00:41:06.13\00:41:07.46
what God has
done in their lives,
00:41:07.50\00:41:08.83
bringing them together,
00:41:08.86\00:41:10.20
then being involved in ministry,
00:41:10.23\00:41:11.57
but it's also a call to prayer.
00:41:11.60\00:41:12.93
Amen.
00:41:12.97\00:41:14.30
And the power of prayer,
00:41:14.34\00:41:15.67
and I think about their
mothers are praying for them,
00:41:15.70\00:41:17.77
other people, as one lady
that was a friend of your moms,
00:41:17.81\00:41:20.24
didn't even know you, never met,
00:41:20.28\00:41:21.88
but yet was praying for you.
00:41:21.91\00:41:23.24
And I think... Do
you know that's powerful?
00:41:23.28\00:41:24.91
I think you at home,
we can all be involved
00:41:24.95\00:41:27.25
because there
are people right now
00:41:27.28\00:41:28.72
that are viewing
maybe this program,
00:41:28.75\00:41:30.09
you have just
flipped the channel,
00:41:30.12\00:41:31.45
come across 3ABN and
saying, "What is this?
00:41:31.49\00:41:34.02
What God, prayer?"
00:41:34.06\00:41:36.62
Do you know, I think if
you just bow your head...
00:41:36.66\00:41:38.73
And maybe we should
actually have a prayer here
00:41:38.76\00:41:40.10
during this program.
00:41:40.13\00:41:41.46
I'd love that.
00:41:41.50\00:41:42.83
But just pray for the
people that are searching
00:41:42.86\00:41:44.50
because God has
people everywhere,
00:41:44.53\00:41:46.60
and we don't know
because we've met many of you,
00:41:46.63\00:41:48.87
and we see you here in
this glass and this lens,
00:41:48.90\00:41:51.37
but some of
you, we've never met.
00:41:51.41\00:41:53.11
But God has a calling
on each one of our lives,
00:41:53.14\00:41:54.94
and I think, well,
that's just a powerful thing.
00:41:54.98\00:41:57.28
So, yeah, we should have
some prayer here for sure.
00:41:57.31\00:41:59.35
And talking about
that, should we pray now?
00:41:59.38\00:42:00.78
Absolutely, let's do that.
00:42:00.82\00:42:02.15
Pastor, would you like to
lead us in prayer and then,
00:42:02.18\00:42:03.89
Natanya, if you would too?
00:42:03.92\00:42:05.25
Sounds good. Great. All right.
00:42:05.29\00:42:07.26
Father, we're so
grateful for an opportunity
00:42:07.29\00:42:09.22
to give glory to Your name
00:42:09.26\00:42:11.19
and to just share the
story of how much You love us.
00:42:11.23\00:42:15.16
And how dedicated You are
00:42:15.20\00:42:16.73
to bringing
about good in our lives
00:42:16.77\00:42:19.17
that we can't even
see or imagine sometimes.
00:42:19.20\00:42:22.74
And I just ask that
for everyone listening
00:42:22.77\00:42:24.94
that they may
have their hearts open
00:42:24.97\00:42:27.24
to a deeper sense of trust
00:42:27.28\00:42:29.01
and surrender in You
00:42:29.04\00:42:30.78
to really find
that we can have peace
00:42:30.81\00:42:35.08
and just that assurance
and confidence in Your presence
00:42:35.12\00:42:39.35
that You are
working all things together
00:42:39.39\00:42:41.26
for the good of
those who love You,
00:42:41.29\00:42:43.02
and are called
according to Your purpose.
00:42:43.06\00:42:45.46
We thank You for
this, in Jesus' name, amen.
00:42:45.49\00:42:47.23
Amen.
00:42:47.26\00:42:48.60
Father, we're so grateful
to be here in this space
00:42:48.63\00:42:52.60
before Your throne.
00:42:52.63\00:42:54.44
We pray that You
might speak to our hearts,
00:42:54.47\00:42:58.61
that You might afford
us exceedingly, abundantly,
00:42:58.64\00:43:02.84
above anything we
could ask or think,
00:43:02.88\00:43:05.91
that You might afford us to see
as You see and to trust, Lord,
00:43:05.95\00:43:11.95
that You might walk us
into paths overwhelming, Lord,
00:43:11.99\00:43:16.79
that we might go out
00:43:16.83\00:43:18.16
which ever avenue
we're called with joy,
00:43:18.19\00:43:21.73
and that we might know
the abundance of Your love.
00:43:21.76\00:43:24.33
Thank You. This is our prayer.
00:43:24.37\00:43:26.33
Amen. Amen.
00:43:26.37\00:43:27.70
Amen. Wow. Beautiful.
00:43:27.74\00:43:29.50
Just want to
encourage you at home
00:43:29.54\00:43:31.07
that if you have
never made Jesus Christ
00:43:31.11\00:43:33.68
the Lord of your life,
today is the day of salvation.
00:43:33.71\00:43:37.28
Accept Him into your heart,
00:43:37.31\00:43:39.55
spend that time in
His Word and in prayer.
00:43:39.58\00:43:43.08
And if you have made
Jesus, the Lord of your life,
00:43:43.12\00:43:47.09
spend time interceding
with your brothers and sisters,
00:43:47.12\00:43:50.63
time interceding for the
needs of other people as well.
00:43:50.66\00:43:54.76
What an incredible
testimony here today
00:43:54.80\00:43:57.70
to hear how prayer worked
00:43:57.73\00:43:59.60
in such a
powerful way in your lives
00:43:59.63\00:44:02.07
and how you really
fell in love with each other
00:44:02.10\00:44:04.11
as you were praying?
00:44:04.14\00:44:05.71
That's just incredible.
00:44:05.74\00:44:07.08
We want to move it toward
the end of the program here
00:44:07.11\00:44:09.01
to testimony and
your Revelation 12 says,
00:44:09.04\00:44:11.58
"They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
00:44:11.61\00:44:13.62
and the word of
their testimony."
00:44:13.65\00:44:16.08
So talk to us about testimony
00:44:16.12\00:44:18.79
and about some
of the testimonies
00:44:18.82\00:44:20.86
that you have heard from people
00:44:20.89\00:44:22.69
whose lives have been
changed as a result of this.
00:44:22.72\00:44:25.49
So we were so blessed
by this 40-day experience
00:44:25.53\00:44:30.43
that we decided to make
the book our wedding favor.
00:44:30.47\00:44:35.00
And so everyone
who came... Oh, well.
00:44:35.04\00:44:37.17
And that was a
miracle in and of itself,
00:44:37.21\00:44:38.74
we contacted the
publishing house directly.
00:44:38.77\00:44:40.18
That could be
quite expensive. Yeah.
00:44:40.21\00:44:41.61
'Cause that's a lot of books.
00:44:41.64\00:44:42.98
And it was really a miracle
00:44:43.01\00:44:44.35
that they just so happened
to have overstock at the office
00:44:44.38\00:44:48.65
'cause publishing
wasn't really as flexible.
00:44:48.68\00:44:51.85
And she said, "I
have a ton of copies
00:44:51.89\00:44:53.52
if you want, we can
give you a really good deal."
00:44:53.56\00:44:56.59
And God works
in mysterious ways.
00:44:56.62\00:44:59.39
And so we were
able to share this book,
00:44:59.43\00:45:01.53
and I have so many
friends and family.
00:45:01.56\00:45:05.27
I have several
cousins in my mind particular
00:45:05.30\00:45:07.77
who read this book and told me
00:45:07.80\00:45:09.77
how, like, God has
influenced their prayer life
00:45:09.80\00:45:14.34
in a way that they've been able
to grow in exceptional ways.
00:45:14.38\00:45:17.41
I know that you had
mentioned a few testimonies
00:45:17.45\00:45:19.91
that you might
want to share as well.
00:45:19.95\00:45:23.08
Yeah.
00:45:23.12\00:45:24.45
So one of the
great things is that
00:45:24.49\00:45:25.82
we do see a lot of feedback,
00:45:25.85\00:45:27.19
and we can see the
fruit of our testimony.
00:45:27.22\00:45:29.42
Yes.
00:45:29.46\00:45:30.79
But sometimes you don't always
see that fruit right away.
00:45:30.83\00:45:33.40
That's true.
00:45:33.43\00:45:34.76
So we were just
traveling recently in Morocco
00:45:34.80\00:45:36.77
on our second honeymoon.
00:45:36.80\00:45:38.37
And first night
there, walking back home,
00:45:38.40\00:45:40.17
I have my phone
looking for directions,
00:45:40.20\00:45:41.97
two guys on a motorbike come by
swipe it right out of my hand.
00:45:42.00\00:45:45.21
Oh, wow. Your phone?
00:45:45.24\00:45:46.74
Yup, they stole
my phone right on...
00:45:46.78\00:45:48.11
Yeah, his cell phone.
00:45:48.14\00:45:49.48
And so we were
running after them,
00:45:49.51\00:45:50.85
we realized that
we're not that fast,
00:45:50.88\00:45:52.21
we can't catch them.
00:45:52.25\00:45:53.72
But Natanya immediately says,
"We need to pray about this."
00:45:53.75\00:45:56.75
And so we pray.
00:45:56.79\00:45:58.12
And, you know, we
eventually meet these guys,
00:45:58.15\00:46:00.99
and they help us
make a police report.
00:46:01.02\00:46:02.86
And we want to, you know,
00:46:02.89\00:46:04.23
how at the end of the
story where my phone came back.
00:46:04.26\00:46:06.83
But that's not the
end of our story yet.
00:46:06.86\00:46:09.46
We don't know what
will happen with it,
00:46:09.50\00:46:11.43
but what we do know is
that one of the prayer practices
00:46:11.47\00:46:14.60
we're committed to is
praying for our enemies
00:46:14.64\00:46:17.11
and praying for those people
00:46:17.14\00:46:18.71
who may be causing
these problems in our life.
00:46:18.74\00:46:21.58
Excellent point actually.
00:46:21.61\00:46:22.94
We don't think
about that very often.
00:46:22.98\00:46:24.31
Yes, I like that.
00:46:24.35\00:46:25.68
And one of the
things that has inspired us
00:46:25.71\00:46:27.05
is this idea of
praying for our enemies
00:46:27.08\00:46:29.58
those things that we
desire for ourselves.
00:46:29.62\00:46:31.49
Amen.
00:46:31.52\00:46:32.85
So if someone is causing us
a lot of strife and conflict,
00:46:32.89\00:46:35.22
we pray for peace in their life.
00:46:35.26\00:46:37.66
And so I don't
know these two guys,
00:46:37.69\00:46:40.66
these two thieves
that took the phone,
00:46:40.70\00:46:42.43
but I'm sure they
have not been prayed for
00:46:42.46\00:46:44.53
as much as they have
in the last two weeks.
00:46:44.57\00:46:47.07
And just praying for them,
00:46:47.10\00:46:48.44
whatever is stolen
or lost in their life
00:46:48.47\00:46:50.17
that it may be return to them.
00:46:50.21\00:46:52.24
And maybe I'll
never get my phone back,
00:46:52.27\00:46:54.18
but I know that
we're praying for them,
00:46:54.21\00:46:56.18
and there will be
fruit in their life
00:46:56.21\00:46:57.91
whether we see it in
this lifetime or in eternity.
00:46:57.95\00:46:59.65
Amen. Wow, that's powerful.
00:46:59.68\00:47:01.48
I was really committed to that.
00:47:01.52\00:47:02.95
It was really powerful
hearing him pray this prayer
00:47:02.98\00:47:05.95
sincerely over their lives.
00:47:05.99\00:47:07.66
And to continue doing that,
00:47:07.69\00:47:10.03
it affirms me to know
that this is our practice now,
00:47:10.06\00:47:16.36
this is the way
we live our lives,
00:47:16.40\00:47:17.73
and it's
changed our perspective.
00:47:17.77\00:47:19.63
And it's afforded
us our perseverance.
00:47:19.67\00:47:22.24
Yes. Yeah.
00:47:22.27\00:47:23.87
You know, I believe that prayer
00:47:23.91\00:47:25.24
is an important
facet for the family.
00:47:25.27\00:47:27.94
So, I mean, you know,
00:47:27.98\00:47:29.31
Jill and I don't
have any children,
00:47:29.34\00:47:30.68
you-all don't have any children,
00:47:30.71\00:47:32.05
but, you know, we're family,
00:47:32.08\00:47:33.42
you know, she
and I are a family,
00:47:33.45\00:47:34.78
you all are a family.
00:47:34.82\00:47:36.15
And so Satan
has a direct attack,
00:47:36.18\00:47:37.52
I believe, on family.
00:47:37.55\00:47:38.89
So why do you feel that prayer
is important for the family
00:47:38.92\00:47:41.56
'cause, you know, you
are a husband and wife,
00:47:41.59\00:47:42.92
why is prayer important?
00:47:42.96\00:47:44.29
And why would you
encourage someone else at home,
00:47:44.33\00:47:46.46
whether they're
married, single, whatever,
00:47:46.49\00:47:48.66
why would be prayer important
for the family specifically?
00:47:48.70\00:47:53.10
I think, for
me, prayer brings us
00:47:53.13\00:47:55.60
into the space of unity
with God and with each other.
00:47:55.64\00:47:59.21
And it makes that
really the top priority
00:47:59.24\00:48:02.34
that we're
committed to being together.
00:48:02.38\00:48:04.41
That's good.
00:48:04.45\00:48:05.78
Say that one more time,
so you said it's a unity...
00:48:05.81\00:48:07.55
Yeah, prayer
brings us into a place
00:48:07.58\00:48:09.78
where we can experience unity
with each other and with God.
00:48:09.82\00:48:13.39
Yeah.
00:48:13.42\00:48:14.76
And we found, especially with us
00:48:14.79\00:48:16.49
coming from very
different backgrounds,
00:48:16.52\00:48:19.26
racially, socially, culturally,
00:48:19.29\00:48:22.20
even just our
perspectives on marriage,
00:48:22.23\00:48:24.60
you know, as we
told, we're very different.
00:48:24.63\00:48:27.50
And having prayer
brings us into a place
00:48:27.54\00:48:30.84
where we can be committed
00:48:30.87\00:48:32.54
to being unified with each other
00:48:32.57\00:48:35.04
has really transformed the way
00:48:35.08\00:48:36.44
that we
experience our relationship.
00:48:36.48\00:48:38.58
And we really
want in our ministry
00:48:38.61\00:48:41.62
to pass that onto other couples
00:48:41.65\00:48:43.32
and to small
groups, to church bodies.
00:48:43.35\00:48:45.85
There's so much
disunity in our world,
00:48:45.89\00:48:49.06
in our church now.
00:48:49.09\00:48:50.59
And we really find
that prayer is that key,
00:48:50.63\00:48:53.40
which brings people together
and unity in this diversity.
00:48:53.43\00:48:57.70
And that's really powerful.
00:48:57.73\00:48:59.07
We know the Spirit
can do that in our lives,
00:48:59.10\00:49:00.60
I think he's doing it,
00:49:00.64\00:49:01.97
and it can do it in
another people's lives too.
00:49:02.00\00:49:03.64
Yes. Well said.
00:49:03.67\00:49:05.21
Yeah. For sure.
00:49:05.24\00:49:06.57
What would you say to
someone who is saying,
00:49:06.61\00:49:08.54
"I'm trying to pray,
00:49:08.58\00:49:09.91
but my prayers are
hit in the ceiling,
00:49:09.94\00:49:11.31
and I don't feel like
00:49:11.35\00:49:12.68
I'm experiencing a breakthrough,
00:49:12.71\00:49:15.38
I'm not getting
anywhere with that."
00:49:15.42\00:49:17.45
What advice would
you have for them?
00:49:17.49\00:49:19.62
I would invite them
to narrow their focus
00:49:19.65\00:49:25.09
and simply seek
God and His presence,
00:49:25.13\00:49:29.00
feel His presence and
embrace that for what it is.
00:49:29.03\00:49:33.17
Yeah. Yeah. Amen.
00:49:33.20\00:49:34.54
That's powerful. It is.
00:49:34.57\00:49:35.90
Because many times
we pray for things,
00:49:35.94\00:49:38.01
but in this case, you're saying,
00:49:38.04\00:49:39.71
it's a person, seek
Jesus and His presence.
00:49:39.74\00:49:44.18
And then all these
things would be added unto you.
00:49:44.21\00:49:46.92
And I think it goes back to
00:49:46.95\00:49:48.28
'cause again, I
like all these things,
00:49:48.32\00:49:49.65
and I don't know
if I have missed one,
00:49:49.68\00:49:51.02
but you have
perception, perseverance...
00:49:51.05\00:49:52.49
And, again, going
back to the perseverance,
00:49:52.52\00:49:53.86
like, it feels like our prayer's
00:49:53.89\00:49:55.22
bouncing off the ceiling,
00:49:55.26\00:49:56.59
you know, or
whatever but to keep pressing
00:49:56.62\00:49:57.96
and saying, "God, I'm going
to bring it before You again."
00:49:57.99\00:49:59.46
"I am here again."
00:49:59.49\00:50:00.83
And the
partnering part is fantastic.
00:50:00.86\00:50:03.10
You have here, which I
think is kind of neat...
00:50:03.13\00:50:04.77
We're almost out of time.
00:50:04.80\00:50:06.20
But your ministry is
in Burlington, Vermont,
00:50:06.23\00:50:09.00
but you have a home as an Oasis.
00:50:09.04\00:50:11.87
And I think that's beautiful
00:50:11.91\00:50:13.24
'cause I know being
in ministry, traveling,
00:50:13.27\00:50:15.34
it gets so busy.
00:50:15.38\00:50:17.01
But it's good to have that home,
00:50:17.05\00:50:19.48
this is our oasis
place, and that's important,
00:50:19.51\00:50:21.65
see to our guys
don't get burned out.
00:50:21.68\00:50:23.02
And not just for us
but also for ministry.
00:50:23.05\00:50:25.72
We've opened our home
as an oasis for others.
00:50:25.75\00:50:28.29
Oh, okay. Oh, that...
00:50:28.32\00:50:30.86
Okay. Oh, that's neat.
00:50:30.89\00:50:32.23
Yeah, it's a place
that we find restoration.
00:50:32.26\00:50:34.00
And just the spirit
that we create there,
00:50:34.03\00:50:36.43
allows other people to
come and they notice it.
00:50:36.46\00:50:38.43
You know, a lot of
her friends have come over
00:50:38.47\00:50:40.04
and said, "This
place feels different,
00:50:40.07\00:50:41.87
like, we feel peace here."
00:50:41.90\00:50:43.44
Amen. And what a testimony.
00:50:43.47\00:50:45.21
Yeah.
00:50:45.24\00:50:46.74
That's powerful. Amen.
00:50:46.78\00:50:48.34
You know, isn't it neat to see
00:50:48.38\00:50:50.05
what God does in
each one of our lives?
00:50:50.08\00:50:52.48
And the testimony we've
heard today from the Vanderlaans
00:50:52.51\00:50:55.75
is what He wants
to do in your life.
00:50:55.78\00:50:57.59
That we're all not led
00:50:57.62\00:50:59.25
in the same way
in the same journey,
00:50:59.29\00:51:01.32
but we all can
spend time in prayer.
00:51:01.36\00:51:03.36
We all can experience
restored relationships.
00:51:03.39\00:51:07.46
We all can
experience that healing,
00:51:07.50\00:51:09.46
that transformation.
00:51:09.50\00:51:10.83
And God can bring
people into our lives
00:51:10.87\00:51:13.13
like He did with you both.
00:51:13.17\00:51:14.60
Thank you for
sharing your testimony.
00:51:14.64\00:51:16.24
What we want to do right now,
00:51:16.27\00:51:18.31
we want to go to
contact information
00:51:18.34\00:51:20.84
for the Vanderlaans.
00:51:20.88\00:51:22.21
This is their
website, their email address,
00:51:22.24\00:51:24.51
their phone number
00:51:24.55\00:51:25.88
if you'd like to
contact them for yourself.
00:51:25.91\00:51:28.08
If you have prayer needs,
00:51:28.12\00:51:29.45
if you would like
them to come to your church
00:51:29.48\00:51:31.75
or your community as
part of the love tour,
00:51:31.79\00:51:34.99
or if you would be interested...
00:51:35.02\00:51:36.36
Financially
support them. Thank you.
00:51:36.39\00:51:37.73
I'm just going
to add that in there
00:51:37.76\00:51:39.09
maybe in case you're
feeling pressed to do that.
00:51:39.13\00:51:40.63
Support what God is doing
00:51:40.66\00:51:42.43
in this
incredible prayer ministry.
00:51:42.46\00:51:44.70
Here is their
contact information.
00:51:44.73\00:51:46.80
If you've been blessed
00:51:50.47\00:51:51.81
by Jason and Natanya's testimony
00:51:51.84\00:51:53.88
and would like to
support them financially,
00:51:53.91\00:51:56.01
you can do so in
a variety of ways.
00:51:56.04\00:51:58.68
You may visit their website,
00:51:58.71\00:52:00.35
UpwardMovementMinistries.com.
00:52:00.38\00:52:03.15
That's
UpwardMovementMinistries.com.
00:52:03.18\00:52:06.96
Or you may contact them by
telephone at (603) 264-8019.
00:52:06.99\00:52:13.93