O The Wonder Of It All

By: Bill Johnson

One of the grandest things about being in ministry with American Decency Association (1999-present) and in earlier years as state director of American Family Association (1988-1999) has been the sense of God’s calling, God’s faithfulness, and the reality of His presence leading us along on our humble course.

Just two days before Thanksgiving – this is a good time to recollect and give thanks to God for His hand of grace and mercy.  I find rest in that, but I also know that the times have darkened.  But, God is not finished with us yet!  We desire to be used going forward as in the past.

Recently, I was talking to my young Sunday School class about Abraham’s calling.  I was trying to explain to them what a calling is. Such a calling can sound so ethereal, so “out there”.  I have believed since way back then in the 1980s that God had a call upon my life.   But what was that calling?  How does one know?  Here is my story in that regard.

Some of you recall my sharing about my conversion. In my late teens and early twenties, I was addicted to pornography.  With meeting Jan and going to church (in the 1970s), the Holy Spirit moved upon me and God drew me to Himself.  As I would go to church, I would often weep as I would hear the song “Jesus is Coming Again.”  I didn’t know what was going on, but little by little I began to realize that that was the working power of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit!

I had a sense of calling; I wanted to serve Him somehow.  I prayed for an opportunity many times over the years as Jan and I faithfully went to church, listened to sermons and music, and did devotions.  For eleven of the eighteen years that I was teaching in the public schools I was seeking God’s will, praying to be released to do full-time service – not knowing what that would be.  And, then God did call me into such service in 1985!

I was at an anti-pornography group meeting at someone’s rural home in Fremont.  The group was called Citizen’s Against Pornography.  I shared my thoughts and concerns at the small gathering and when I got in my car to travel home, I had an overwhelming sense of God and tears rolled.  I was stirred and moved to serve and engage.  And engage I did.  I went to meetings.  I went with another man to local stores, strongly urging them to get out of the sale of their pornography magazines.   Within half a year, I became the president of the fledgling group. From Citizens Against Pornography to Newaygo County NFD (National Federation for Decency), to Newaygo County AFA (American Family Association) to state director of AFA to American Decency Association.  God’s calling.  God’s leading.  God’s faithfulness from 1985 (volunteering), to an office out of a bedroom with eventually one staff member, to a rental office in downtown Fremont with two staff members, to a larger office rental spot on the other side of town with four staff members to our own purchased building (debt free by God’s grace and our donors’ generosity) next to the Police Department in downtown Fremont with 5 full-time staff.

And not just a group of five, but each one committed to Christ, God-centered, humble Christians working together day by day, in season and out of season seeking to do God’s will and growing as Christians – praying together, sharing together, assisting one another, planning, discussing, and seeking to do what God was directing and enabling us to do!

As we close out another long and difficult year, I am struck with some of these thoughts, remembrances, and concerns. 

I haven’t seen or experienced anything other than that clear sense that God is with us, and I still regularly experience His presence in my life! His marching orders, though different yearly, continue to be brought with clarity.  Our staff is faithful but … we do have several prayer requests.

Prayer request #1.  Pray for Lisa’s kidney donor’s health and well-being.  Pray also for his recovery for the surgery. It is expected that he will be out of work for a couple of months.

Prayer request #2.  Pray for Lisa’s surgery as she receives the kidney from her friend and donor.  Pray that the kidney will be received by her body and not rejected.  Pray for her health, well-being, and her recovery.  It is also expected that Lisa will also be out of work for upwards of two months.

Prayer request #3.  Pray for ADA’s year-end financial strengthening.  We have noted that this past year that we had five months where numbers of gifts were significantly down and therefore gift totals were weaker than usual.  Thankfully, there were several more typical months of giving that kept us from alarm.  Please pray that God raises up many who will find it in their hearts to give generously to ADA as this year ends.  With trouble afoot in our land, God uses us to warn, exhort and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ of the concerning trends.  We anticipate that there will be more serious travails than ever before.  More may be weakened and not be able to give as they once did.  Pray for them, too.

Prayer request #4.  Please pray for me, that as the leader God will enable me to support our staff as graciously and generously as possible; that they will be able to keep their focus and their heart concerns upon their families and churches and be able to keep up with the inflationary trends.

Thank you for your prayers and support, however you feel led to do so, and may God bless you!

You can support ADA financially by visiting: https://give.cornerstone.cc/americandecency

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