Many pastors leave ministry every month, but that is not the focus of this story.
RPLNISH began years before 2019, both by accident and because I was "upset". Five pastors formed a working board that would later become RPLNISH. We had been taking pastors and leaders on trips and pooling our money together to cover expenses. I was on the speaking team of a church in Southern California, and the church I served had a ranch house we were able to host 10 guys at a time. We invited guys to come out with us when I was speaking. We invited them to meet us at LAX, and we would spend a few days together; we would have fun, eat well, and care for each other's souls.
It worked. We saw guys encounter God, deepen their connections with each other, and receive much-needed rest. Our little group was making a difference, but we wanted to do more. We were believing God to do five trips in one year. All of us had day jobs, and we hoped and goaded each other to go full time in pastoring other pastors. Our goal was to do five trips in one year, but we knew one of us needed to commit to doing RPLNISH full time, before it would actually grow.
In the years that passed, often God would challenge me to do more for pastors. In 2019, I was praying, yet again, and I heard God tell me to do more for pastors. This time, I heard Him, and I responded, "God, the only way I can do that is if I quit my day Job." I felt like God put those words right back at me. I knew it was time and I was the one to do RPLNISH full time.
Seven years ago I said yes, to serving pastors full time and it has been a blast. We have replenished thousands of pastors during these past seven years. God continues to open doors, provide resources and give greater vision. We are know doing RPLNISH domestically, internationally and in the business community. By the time we have our 10th birthday, with God's help, we hope to have 100 trips on the books for that year.
Lets go!!