People have asked me on how Christ has led me, to SRI, so I thought I would start my first blog out with this topic.
In September 2024, I attended a spirit filled weekend (Walk to Emmaus), at Epworth Forest, in North Webster IN. I was picked up from home and dropped off on a Thursday night, and not leaving until Sunday evening. I was not told what the weekend had in store for me, but in my heart, I knew Jesus was already before me; totally surrendered to His things He wanted to show/teach me. It was that Saturday afternoon; He called me into ministry. I remember answering Him with the question, me? Yes son, I have a plan for you, and I want you to follow Me. I was reading my bible just after, and how I soaked in His word was completely different than before. It changed! I have always read the word as it was teaching me. Now it was teaching me, but my heart changed to soak the teachings in to teach others. Ministry, leadership, is how I can best describe it. Soon after, I started my schooling to be an ordained Pastor, with Christian Leaders Institute, on-line.
Vision (Eyes opened)
I am a member of Pine Hills Church in Fort Wayne, IN. In October of 2024, PHC was planning a trip to SRI. At that time, it was a couple of years since I had been on a mission trip, so I signed up to go. Our first team meeting was outside under a tent, because at that time, we were remodeling our foyer. I remember looking across the parking lot at a corn field. I could see the wind blow. In my heart I felt that my heart was in the DR. At that moment, Christ said, you will be here someday. I remember laughing under my breath, I know Jesus, I am at the first meeting to go on this trip.
He spoke (Audible voice)
It was around two weeks later. Three mornings in a row, as soon as I woke and opened my eyes, He said, cancel, cancel, cancel, I want you to cancel this trip. I was so confused, but knew I needed to obey Him. Lord, around two weeks ago sitting in the parking lot at church, You said I would be there someday. I emailed one of our staff members and PHC and told her that God is telling me to cancel this trip and I needed to obey His command. (That taught me to trust Him. My thoughts are not His thoughts, and I must trust His thoughts)
Visual (Eyes closed)
Soon after, standing in Worship, before the teaching, God gave me a visual. I could see Moses standing on a mountain top with his arms raised high. There were people sitting to the right of him on their knees praying. Up in the sky was a bright light, that light was God calling Moses. (I know the Word of God spoke to Moses thru the burning bush, but I took this visual as Christ calling Moses to reveal His plan to send Moses to Pharaoh to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.) After I opened my eyes, I said Lord, You are calling me somewhere. Where are you calling me to go? (I knew He was calling me somewhere, but I did not know where)
Dream (While sleeping)
A couple of weeks later He gave a dream. I remember walking into a room, with three ladies sitting at a table, with one seat open. Walking up I felt in my heart that I was walking into a predestined job position that I already had, but I did not know what the job was. One of the ladies said, “We like your resume, and we would like to offer you the position.” I said, “What position”? She looked at me confused and said, the position that you applied for. Jesus showed me some people and homes in a very pour country that I used to do ministry in, for years. He placed in my heart at that moment, like I was back there. The love I had for those people. All the kids I used to visit in the orphanages. Just Peace over my heart. I looked at the lady and said, “To do that work, again”? She said yes, and I said, “I AM ALL IN”! (He was calling me to a place in the ministry that I have done before)
Visual (Eyes closed)
You must attend a “Walk to Emmaus,” before you can help serve a “Walk to Emmaus” retreat. In April 2025, I sponsored a brother in Christ, to attend his “Walk to Emmaus”. While praying in the prayer room, as a Pastor was teaching a message to the group, Christ gave me a visual. I felt like I was in a drone. He flew me over the house I grew up in as a child. I remember thinking, home in my heart. The visual went blank, then I was flying over a blacktop road, and then the sight of a beautiful white Baptist Church. Like you see out in the middle of Kentucky, nothing around but this beautiful building. The visual went blank again. Then I was flying over a blacktop road, and I could see ahead, such a beautiful mountain side. Oh, I love mountains! (He was calling me home, but I did not know where home was located)
He spoke (Audible voice)
Soon after, I was parked at a stoplight heading to work one morning. I heard Him say, get on Facebook. I do not get on my phone while driving, but I obeyed His command. The first feed was Pine Hills Church. They shared a post from SRI, looking for a missionary to help serve in the construction ministry. Being a general contractor for 28 years, and doing many construction projects throughout two different countries, in ministry, I said Lord, I AM ALL IN. This is where You have been calling me too? He said yes, Nick! This is where I am taking you and thank you for obeying the callings I have been giving you. The Peace that came over my heart that day! The tears I cried that day, just in awe, His love for us and how faithful He is when we obey His callings
He cancelled the previous mission trip, so He could call me home, to a place, I have never been before. Lord, I trust You. I believe, in You. You are my everything. Jesus plus nothing, is everything that I need. Thank you for loving me, even when my promises have failed You, but You have never failed me. You are too faithful, Lord. Thank You! Thank you for believing in me when I have had so many people leave me.
Soon after, He told me to start selling everything that I had. Even before I had this current position. We serve a confident God, so I needed to be confident, knowing I have been called to SRI and the position was already predestined. Totally trusting in Him and His faithfulness
Today is June 27, 2025. In eight days, I will arrive at my new home. He already planned the place for me since His Creation. He was already thinking about me back then. Lord, that is Love. I have everything sold, but my Harley Davidson. Every moment that something has sold, He has filled that spot in me, with Himself. Nothing is better than Him, in me. I am full. Full of peace, trust, joy, contentment, and I am so excited to see what blessings He has for me. All the presents that are already wrapped with a bow on top. He will say, Nick I have a blessing for you. This blessing will be “My peace in you,” because you may feel homesick right now. This blessing will be “My love for you,” because you may not feel loved right now. This blessing will be “My joy in you” because you have been working 24/7 serving many of teams, from North America. This blessing will be “My strength in you,” because you are learning a new language, Spanish. Remember Nick, I know Spanish and I will help teach you. And so many more!
I cannot think of any prayer request for myself right now, but let the Spirit speak through you as you pray for me.
Thank you to everyone that has read my first blog! I am so looking forward to meeting and serving each one of you.
In His name!
Nick