“Even though that relationship didn’t work out and I felt like I gave 5 years of my life to it, I know that was God’s way of working His way back into my life and bringing me back to where that foundation was,” she said. “He brought me back to Fairplains for one, to the family that I grew up with, all of those people I talked about previously who were so instrumental in my life.”

The relationship ended last year when Elledge’s life changed. On April 13, 2014, she met her pastor at the front of the church she grew up in during an altar call. She told him that she didn’t feel assured she was saved, and she wanted a change in her life.

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It was evident how very much in love they were. Had you been eavesdropping, you would have thought they were teenagers without a care in the world but for each other. It is through their journey of endurance, hardship, loss and faith, that they have discovered the strength of their marriage. This is their inspiring story of how God made them one, to help carry each other’s burdens, learn to pray together through the storms, and to always trust God. 

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Rhonda and I met in college as a part of a choral group that would sing in Churches of Christ across the country. Well, it just so happens that Rhonda’s dad was a minister just like mine was, and he invited our choral group to sing in Galax, Virginia. It was common for us to stay in the homes of church members when we traveled to do events like this and guess where I got to stay… You guessed it. I was one of the people who Rhonda picked to stay at her parent’s house, and that’s where the romance that would lead to our marriage began. 

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It was in this time frame that a man who was like a spiritual mentor to me said, “I don’t know what it is, but God is preparing you for something.” After this, I remember very vividly going to the altar at church and saying something like this: “Okay God, I’ll give up my job if you want me to. Whatever you want me to do, I will do.” 

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Born the third of four children, it would be a number of years before I and my siblings would realize what a blessing God had gifted us in the form of parents. Our mom and dad personified the word “service,” and would pass that attribute along to each of their children. Bill and Opal Ballou had married following his term of service in the U.S. Army during World War II, which included a period of several months incarceration in a German Prisoner of War camp. That experience would have a lasting effect on my father, and motivated him throughout his adulthood to try to make life better for others.

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By the time my wife and I were probably in our late 20s, early 30s, things of a spiritual nature started coming back up. And then at 34 we rededicated our lives to Christ. As a result of that and going to church, I got involved with the North Carolina Baptist men and went with them as a volunteer to West Africa for a month. 

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Please join us in praying for the future of this country!

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As you were talking, it made me think about the way my faith affected my life as a high school and college student. I was avoiding sins of commission but committing sins of omission. I think that was true of both of us, that both of us grew up really wanting to be people of faith, like especially wanting to do something meaningful with our lives, but not really living it in our daily lives, not going beyond “we don’t, drink, smoke, chew, or go with girls who do.” 

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Neville: God never promised us that life would be easy. He promised us that he would be with us all the way. Trimella and I have a covenantal relationship in our marriage, and we have a covenantal relationship with God. By covenantal I mean that a binding promise of total, unconditional commitment. It is a promise to love, serve, and remain faithful regardless of circumstances. 

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This week we wanted to start our newest Journey Blog with the “DEAR READER” intro that Ben wrote. but, we are excited to accompany the written blog, with ben reading it, from his heart to you! As always we will include the written version so that you can read along or just read it by itself. We hope you enjoy!

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The phrase “without vision people cast off restraint” is a variation of Proverbs 29:18, which means that when there is no clear, guiding vision or revelation, people become uncontrolled and act without self-restraint. This lack of direction can lead to aimless wandering, a disregard for rules and moral boundaries, and ultimately, chaos or destruction, while those who follow the law of the spirit remain happy and blessed.

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I was trying to be this different person, to be a Christian, and to do good, but I didn’t know where to start. I was still resorting to old habits and thinking. Then there was a loud wake up call. One night while sitting and talking to a friend about some plans we had devised to hurt ourselves and to cast demon spells, I heard God speak to me. In the middle of our conversation, I heard the words come from this boy’s mouth, “You’re going to hell.” Although my friend told me he didn’t say those words, I knew it was God speaking to me. I knew I really needed to change. 

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To my astonishment, I started to cry. The man asked me about my relationship with God, and I told him that I had gone to church since I was a child; I’d even attended confirmation class and worked as a counselor at a church camp the prior summer! He explained that going to church and having a “head knowledge” of Jesus Christ was not the point. Even though the head knowledge is important, it is worthless if you don’t have Him in your heart. 

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I know now that without my experience with mental illness, I would not be compassionate with those I serve as a Christian counselor. God has used all of my hardships to offer hope to others. Mostly, God has grown me into a different person than I used to be. I have tried my best to adopt an attitude of thankfulness. My blessings have made me rich, and I am wealthy by God’s standards. Most people my age have been orphaned, but yet, I have both of my parents living vibrantly, healthy, and self-sufficiently. I have never been hungry, cold, or homeless, without shoes or a coat.

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I told him, “I have forgiven you because of the grace of God. I don’t have any hate in my heart toward you. You should also ask God’s forgiveness.” As I walked out of the prison, I felt that a burden had been lifted off my chest. For years, I had prayed to my Heavenly Father for healing, and He gave it to me in his timing. When I was first saved, I prayed that God would show me the purpose He had saved me for.

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Billy Graham preached his first public sermon in 1937 as a student from the Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College of Florida) and was ordained as a minister in 1939. In 1940 he enrolled at Wheaton College outside Chicago where he met Ruth Bell whom he married following graduation from Wheaton in 1943.

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I believe my dad fulfilled his mission, but the battle is far from over. He didn’t just pass the torch off to Matt and me, but to every single person he poured into over the years. I firmly believe that our community has been rattled at his sudden passing, and it has served as a wake-up call. The spiritual deficit in our community remains. So many people need to hear of the transformative power of knowing Jesus Christ and the freedom we have in Him. 

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The water rose, but He carried us.

Before we left, our children laid hands on their makeshift tent of stuffed animals and prayed God would protect it. That tent, sitting in the lowest part of the house, remained completely dry even as the rest of the house flooded. The lantern they left flickering was shining brighter than ever when the waters receded, standing as a sign to their little hearts that prayer matters and God hears.

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I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the tragic events of September 27, 2024, this week. (It was fitting that it rained all week). We saw God move in powerful ways. People cried out to God in their desperation & people were saved. Countless needs were met. Our church swung open the doors & overnight we 1) became Walmart, 2) a Red Cross shelter & 3) the operation center for the best disaster relief agency in the world. You left your damage homes & worked around the clock to bring the love of Christ to the community. Samaritan’s Purse brought in 16,000 people through this room. Our church raised & distributed over a half million dollars. Can you believe we got to be part of that? All praise to the Lord! Make sure to share these stories. Give them voice & never forget what God did. 

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