In the world of planning, it is a common practice to ask yourself where you see yourself in the future. Where do you see yourself in one year? Where do you see yourself in five years, 10 years? It can be helpful to plan for the future. Visualize where you want to go. Set goals, track your progress, and see just how far you have come from where you started. It can also be beneficial to look to the past and look at how far you have come. I have taken some time recently and examined all that has happened in the past five or so years, and it is crazy to me just how long five years really is.
Take a second and think back to where you were in life five years ago. For some your life may not have changed a lot, and for others, well, life may not even be recognizable… Personally, my life looks more different than I could have ever even imagined. If you told 21 year old Brandon that in five years he would be working at a church, the Executive Director of a ministry, happily married, and navigating life with a chronic illness; well, let’s just say that he wouldn’t believe you.
Five years is a long, long time. In August of 2015, we did the first ever Dare Conference that started it all. And I could never have imagined where God would take us. In the five years that we have been in existence, God has allowed us to participate in missions trips both here and abroad, we have done almost 10 conferences, we have seen hundreds of college students come through our college ministry, we have trained dozens of individuals in many aspects of ministry, we have even been able to hire full time staff to help accomplish the work that God has called us to do.
In 2015, I could never have imagined where God would be taking us. And I could never be more grateful for His faithfulness. Throughout the years that we have been working, we have seen so many joys, and some very strong sorrows. Through every single challenge and victory God has remained our friend and our guide. The main thing that I have learned through this journey, is that God’s faithfulness endures forever!
As I reflect on these first five years with Dare Ministries, I am reminded of one clear reality: Dare Ministries still has a long way to go. God has given us so many opportunities to serve Him, His people, and His Kingdom. Even with these opportunities, we recognize that we are far from complacent. It can be good to look back on these five years and see what God has done, the lessons He has taught us, and the people He has allowed us to impact. We will, however, not just look to our past, but we must also look forward.
What I am excited about is looking forward to the next five years to dream about what God might do. I am excited to take the lessons that we have learned, and be better in the future. I am excited that we have people who have faithfully partnered with us in this ministry. And I am excited for those who may partner with us as we continue in ministry. Five years is a long time, but Lord willing and by His grace, five years will just be the beginning.
Where are you at in your life? Are you serving Jesus with your gifts and talents? Are you using the skills that God has given you to edify the Church, or to reach the lost? Five years ago Dare Ministries did not exist, and it started because people who loved God and loved others refused to do nothing. Are you in a place in your life right now where you are doing nothing? Well I have good news for you. Just like God used a sinner like me to start a ministry that has blessed others, God through the power of His Son Jesus Christ has brought redemption to the lives of those who believe in Him. No matter where you are in your life right now, God can use you. Are you willing to do something?
Thank you to everyone who has served with us at Dare Ministries. Some of the faces over the years have changed, but what has not changed is the heart and desire to serve others with your life. If your life has been impacted at all by Dare Ministries during these past five years, we would love to hear your story (Click Here to contact us). If you have a desire to serve God and just don’t know where to start, reach out to us. Dare Ministries is filled with people who didn’t know how to start.
Most of all, thank you Lord. Thank you for calling your people together to serve alongside us. Thank you for the years of laughter that bonded us. Thank you for the challenges that refined us. Thank you for the lessons that you have taught us. God we pray that as you have been faithful during these last five years of ministry that you would remain faithful for the next five years. And God would you give us the strength to remain faithful to what you have called us to do for your Name.
