Becoming a City On The Hill

20 years ago a miracle happened which would not only grow our faith, but also teach us the rhythm of the Father’s heart. My friend recently sent me this picture of a prayer and dedication service for City on a Hill Ministries. Hard to believe this was in 2006. So many memories resurrected from this season.  Here are a few lessons learned from this God encounter:

A Vision Birthed in Prayer – When God is on the move you will always find prayer at the cornerstone.  The Holy Spirit will prompt people to pray into a God-sized vision which only He can bring about. This story began when four women from a church in Zeeland, MI learned the local Community Hospital was for sale. Together they committed to weekly gather to pray for God to have it turned into a ministry center.

These passionate prayers were birthed from hearts that experienced pain and loss and believed God could turn the hospital into a place of both physical and spiritual healing,  a place that would  touch many lives with Jesus’ hands of love. The prayers of these ladies ignited a fire within the church with many catching the vision to step out in faith and follow His leading.

A Father who Faithfully Provides – If it is God’s vision He will provide the people and the resources. I will never forget walking into the president’s office with my friend Steve to make an offer to purchase the hospital. The offer was 1.1 million-way below asking price. We knew the response could be a laugh and a polite decline. But to our surprise God had already been working on his heart and the boards, they were open to seeing a non-profit obtain the building.  An agreement was made.

The next obstacle money, we had none. Yet again as we moved forward in faith at just the right time God supplied the funds needed. Not only did He provide funds, but also the right people to make it happen. We saw first hand how the Holy Spirit anointed people to do the work with the necessary gifts and talents to make the vision a reality. It was a beautiful picture of the whole body of Christ coming together with the Father’s vision uniting as one.

A Cosmic Power Struggle – When you follow the leading of the Spirit there will be spiritual warfare. We saw this first hand from many different fronts and it reminded us how weak we are but how strong our Father is. Prayer again became the life line. Pastors prayed weekly in the building as a united front calling on God for protection and power to move forward. Many gathered for community worship in a local gym next to the hospital. Many prayer walks took place in and around the building. Truly the Father heard the cry of His children and He claimed the victory.

All Praise to the Father- When the Father moves through His children His glory will shine brightly.  20 years later there are 48 non-profits ministering out of the City on a Hill building. Physical and spiritual needs are literally being met all around the globe. The impact is mind boggling. This building is truly a standing stone for the glory and the power of what our Father God can do if we faithfully follow His leading.

The Father showed so many of us through this experience how He grows His Kingdom. Just as His Son taught and challenged us in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14-16)

Where is the Father calling you to be His light today?