Poster Children for Seasoned Believers

Have you reached the stage of Christian growth where you are asking, "Is that all there is for me? Does God want me to take another look at what it means to serve Him? I have been a Sunday school teacher, an Elder, served as a Trustee or on the Altar Guild but I want something more substantial in serving."

That is the situation in many cases. Over the years I have Coached several individuals and couples how to transition from serving in a minor church role to taking a more assertive or lead role in a ministry. The results have been dramatic.

Larry and Ellen Chrouch were fairly young in the Lord's work when Karen and I met them in 1970. We had experienced the rejection of church leaders in the denomination of our family and were "Wandering around Cincinnati" looking for a church or group where we could find roots, fellowship and a place to serve Christ. We had found a small group led by a defrocked Presbyterian Minister and he was mentoring us in the scripture and practice of First Century Christianity, but we wanted more.

Larry and Ellen were in a similar boat and we met at a gathering at The Church of the Advent, an Episcopal Congregation led by Murray and Alixe Hastings. Murray was a wonderful Spirit filled Minister who fostered great love and peace to thousands as God was surprising them with His blessings. That meeting was part of the plan God had to merge two families who would minister together for thirty years.

After Karen and I joined the team of leaders at College Hill Presbyterian Church we were blessed to see Larry and Ellen return to Cincinnati and join with us. The result was an explosion of Spirit led innovation in care, counsel and healing. Together with them and others we formed the Teleios Ministry to "Equip Christians to do the work of ministry" and that organization in turn developed the Equipping Ministries International that today is found in some fifty countries.

Yesterday Larry and Ellen gave their "last lecture" at the Vineyard North West. Karen and I attended and affirmed them as true poster children of God's plan to use " Seasoned Believers" to change the world. This couple has traveled for almost three decades to known and unknown groups spreading the good news of Jesus and His healing love . They have Christian "sons and daughters" of almost every race and culture. Only in heaven shall we know the extent of their influence.