The Copenhavers

Are You “Udder-ly” Discouraged?

Have you ever wanted to just quit? I can be accused of many things but one thing I can’t be accused of is being a “Quitter!” I think growing up playing sports really instilled this into my life, and shaped the person I am today. The problem that many of us face today is not that we are “Quitters” cause we all want to accomplish something, but the problem is we put time and effort in a belief system that is failing based on self-will not dependency on Christ!

A Pastor friend of mine who traveled with a Contemporary Christian Band that was on major tours with the best of the best in CCM told me “that a majority of music groups only survive for 3 years.” And when he told me this we were just beginning our 3rd year of ministry and I must say that I did not take him seriously. Until things got rough! Mom came down with a staph infection, we had no money, no bookings, no friends, no answered prayers, no miracles, and everything seemed to be going against us! It was awful, so we came to the point where we had a group meeting to “Quit” At the end of the meeting we decided to finish the month out then call it “Quits”. We agreed, so the last planned date was in Shreve, Ohio. There is not a lot in Shreve, Ohio but there is a COW BARN and that’s where we were scheduled to sing! 20-25 people showed up we sang and as I began to load up the equipment I thought “This is it, our singing ministry is going to end in a cow barn in Shreve, Ohio”

I walked to the table and Mom was talking to an old man who kind of looked like Santa Claus. He then walked up to me shook my hand, smiled and said “Hi! I’m Dan DeHass I’m an evangelist and I would like for you all to come sing with me in some revival meetings!” At first I thought he was crazy! Then he began to name drop all these singers that he traveled with in the past, I then thought he was crazy and a liar! Not a good combination for me! He handed me his card and on the back of his card it said “JESUS NEVER FAILS”

To make a long story short we have teamed up with Dr. DeHass, and his best friend Dr. Norm Pratt to form the “Old Fashion Weekend Revival Team” and in less then a year we have traveled over 3,000 miles together have dates scheduled for 2011, and seen over 100 people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior! Why??? We are learning to put our trust in the one who never “Quit” the only one who never fails, the only one who the angel proclaimed “for with God nothing shall be impossible!” If we trust Christ to save our souls why don’t we trust Him in every other aspect of our lives! Is everything perfect? No! But the peace that we have found resting in Christ, and the Joy we have found serving Him will make a winner out of a quitter every time!

Jim Copenhaver

http://www.thecopenhavers.com