Leah's Journey
Suwanee First United Methodist Church
The Beacon on the Hill in Old Town Suwanee
603 Scales Rd.
Suwanee, GA. 30023
Atlanta Emory District
North Georgia Conference
603 Scales Rd.
Suwanee, GA. 30023
Atlanta Emory District
North Georgia Conference
Email: sumc@bellsouth.net
I have been a member of the PrayerForce since 2002. When I joined this ministry I traveled around the north part of Georgia investigating insurance claims. As I began praying for our churches, I was intrigued every day by the number of little blue stained glass shaped road signs along the highways and back roads. I began to take detours and "long cuts" so that I could go by and see these churches for whom I'd been praying. I sincerely believe the United Methodist Church has the most beautiful churches in the world. I've stopped and prayed, left notes and taken photos of hundred of our churches in my travels. Each has their own unique history, yet are part of the same body. I've been invited to many of them to share my passion and calling to lead people to pray. I am blessed to have been given this Ministry. Allow me to share with you what God has done for me through this Ministry.
Jer. 29:11 is my life verse. This verse has strengthened my faith and kept me together in some very tough times. "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." NIV
In August of 2005, gasoline prices were the highest we had seen since the mid 70's when I drove a 1965 Chevrolet Impala. That summer I was traveling with the Prayerforce Ministry quite a bit and it began to be very costly to do so. I began to pray about finding a part time job to help ends meet. I learned that a newly appointed pastor at Suwanee First (only 5 miles up the road) needed office help. I learned of this through a pastor friend for whom I prayed when I met her through the PrayerForce. I was hired immediately and the Rev. Pat Southerland and I became fast friends. It was not too long before we both knew that God had our paths cross for much more than bulletin and newsletter creation. I was in the Candidacy process, pursuing a Local Pastor's license. In the February of 2006 I found myself in the midst of a divorce. I was in need of a home and a full time job very suddenly. I had many prayer partners and friends praying for me, thanks to the PrayerForce. I contacted my former employer and was told that someone in my particular job area had just quit, that very same day. Within 2 weeks I had my job back that I had left two years prior. I had my salary and benefits and pension reinstated and went right back to work where I left off. God provided me housing in the form of "house sitting" for a friend who was leaving for a temporary out of state work assignment. As God blessed me powerfully in thes things, He then opened another door and answered an even bigger prayer. I went through License to Preach School in May of 2006 and received an appointment at Suwanee First UMC as Assistant Pastor. God placed me in a church that had a parsonage that was to be mine for the appointment. Within a few months of being nearly homeless and jobless, I had my familiar job with wonderful benefits and a beautiful home in which to live and a tremendous church appointment with the most loving, wonderful people in the world. What a year of blessings in the midst of so many storms.
Jer. 29:11 is my life verse. This verse has strengthened my faith and kept me together in some very tough times. "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." NIV
In August of 2005, gasoline prices were the highest we had seen since the mid 70's when I drove a 1965 Chevrolet Impala. That summer I was traveling with the Prayerforce Ministry quite a bit and it began to be very costly to do so. I began to pray about finding a part time job to help ends meet. I learned that a newly appointed pastor at Suwanee First (only 5 miles up the road) needed office help. I learned of this through a pastor friend for whom I prayed when I met her through the PrayerForce. I was hired immediately and the Rev. Pat Southerland and I became fast friends. It was not too long before we both knew that God had our paths cross for much more than bulletin and newsletter creation. I was in the Candidacy process, pursuing a Local Pastor's license. In the February of 2006 I found myself in the midst of a divorce. I was in need of a home and a full time job very suddenly. I had many prayer partners and friends praying for me, thanks to the PrayerForce. I contacted my former employer and was told that someone in my particular job area had just quit, that very same day. Within 2 weeks I had my job back that I had left two years prior. I had my salary and benefits and pension reinstated and went right back to work where I left off. God provided me housing in the form of "house sitting" for a friend who was leaving for a temporary out of state work assignment. As God blessed me powerfully in thes things, He then opened another door and answered an even bigger prayer. I went through License to Preach School in May of 2006 and received an appointment at Suwanee First UMC as Assistant Pastor. God placed me in a church that had a parsonage that was to be mine for the appointment. Within a few months of being nearly homeless and jobless, I had my familiar job with wonderful benefits and a beautiful home in which to live and a tremendous church appointment with the most loving, wonderful people in the world. What a year of blessings in the midst of so many storms.
To serve at Suwanee First is truly a blessing from God. I have, by God's grace, been given the opportunity to continue to serve the PrayerForce in leading workshops and Sunday Worship services as a visiting pastor when needed. God surely knows the plans He has for us. Plans to prosper, not to harm; plans for hope and a future!
AMEN! and AMEN!
Pray Hard! (it works)
Leah
Pray Hard! (it works)
Leah