In 2019 my life was dismantled… or was it reordered? The Risner family experienced unprecedented and unexpected changes. We wondered if things were falling apart, but we serve a God who puts things perfectly in place.

We serve a God who puts things perfectly in place Share on X

Early in 2019, my wife Rachel and I heard from the Lord. He was calling us into a new season, into a new assignment. I knew that the Lord was releasing me from ministry in Mansfield. It was difficult to surrender and to accept that the Lord had someone else to lead that church forward. It was difficult to say goodbye to a church that we had invested in for a decade.

This was a church that loved us well. They watched me grow and develop as a leader and as a speaker. They saw our family expand from having two small children into a family of nine. But we trusted in God’s plan more than our own. The idea of starting something new was frightening, and also exciting. We began seeking God’s heart for where he was leading us.

After much prayer and conversations with a church in Fredericksburg, Ohio, it was clear that this was where God was calling me. The congregation confirmed the call with 100% unity.  

In the midst of this transition we welcomed Matthias John into our family, the youngest of our seven children. New baby, new job, new community, new house. It was difficult and overwhelming, but we trusted the Lord each step of the way.

God was calling us to minister in the heart of slow-paced Amish country. Quite a difference from an affluent, bustling suburb of Mansfield. On top of other challenges, I suffered a back injury. This limited my activity and made moving very frustrating.

In July we moved our family of nine to Berlin, Ohio. We explored our new world and enjoyed getting to know the people and the community. And we definitely experienced culture shock!

Our church family is passionate about becoming a vibrant community of transformed people. They are deeply committed to sharing the life-giving power of Jesus with the world. I am filled with hope as I baptize believers, dedicate babies, officiate weddings, and preach God’s word at our weekend worship services.

2019 was not a year in which my life was dismantled. It was a year that the Lord reordered my life, calling me to walk by faith.

And here is the good news: God journeys with us all. He sees us through the changing of seasons and the challenges of life. But we don’t always recognize that.

Like the family who was about to leave for vacation. The parents asked the 8-year-old son if he would lead a prayer before the journey. The little boy bowed his head and prayed, “Goodbye God, we’re off for our trip. We will be back next Friday.” We are guilty of behaving this way ourselves.

I want to challenge you to journey with God. The Lord will meet you right where you are. You will never be the same. Trust Him and thank him that He is with you wherever you go. It might be frightening, but you will be transformed into something beautiful along the way.

“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3