When God Showed Up

Though we don’t live and dwell in the past, there are times we look back and remember a time when God overwhelmed us with His presence. We reflect on those moments when His provision, intervention, or rescue was unmistakable... and many times He shows up “just in the nick of time.”

I am confident many of us have had similar experiences. I know I certainly have, and those occurrences have reassured me time and again that God IS my source, strength, and guide when I look to Him and trust Him.

Many years ago, my husband and I were asked by Reverend Ed King to accept an appointment to Augsburg, Germany to lead a Ministry to the Military Christian servicemen’s center. Prior to that, we had limited knowledge of this ministry and its purpose. Initially, we were not inclined to accept such an assignment. However, my husband promised Reverend King we would pray about it. He indicated he would need an answer from us in just a few days.

Days passed and we’d almost forgotten about the offer. Then, early one cold January morning in Michigan, my husband, Bob, was leaving to preach in Winchester, Kentucky and reminded me to pray about the ministry in Germany. I sleepily agreed. As I began my normal morning routine of devotions, for some reason I put it off and began cleaning. Just after noon, I felt compelled to stop everything and pray. As I knelt on my knees by the bed, I immediately was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit’s presence and spent time praying, weeping and worshipping. As I knelt in prayer, I looked at the clock and saw it was 12:30pm.

Bob called that evening and asked, “Did you pray about the Germany assignment?” I assured him that I had, in fact, prayed earnestly about the matter.  “What do you think?” he continued. My reply was birthed during those moments of prayer earlier in the day, and without hesitation I answered, “I believe we are supposed to go.” He agreed, and then he asked me what seemed to be a strange question… “What time was it when you were praying and got confirmation?” I replied, “It was 12:30, and why do you ask?” He then began sharing that while traveling to Kentucky his car began giving him trouble. He pulled off the road at a restaurant, got a bite to eat, then started out again with no further car issues. As he merged onto the interstate, he began to pray, and immediately God’s presence filled the car. He found himself overwhelmed in praise, worship and weeping for some time. Passing a state trooper well past the speed limit, yet not getting stopped, he noticed the encounter began at 12:30. He also strongly sensed God calling us to Augsburg, Germany.

We notified Reverend King with our answer, prepared to move, and left for Germany in March 1977. We later realized that this was a life-calling. We have joyfully served Ministry to the Military since that time. Whether leading a local COG Servicemen’s Center (Augsburg and Stuttgart) or as a European regional leader, or International Director for MTTM, we are as passionate about serving military men and women and military families and the missionaries that lead them as the day God called us.

The nature of Ministry to the Military with its constant transition of troops, temporary duties, and turnover can be challenging. These ‘perpetual church plants’ are unique to military ministry and highly stressful. I believe that was why we could never doubt the calling of God in times of stress, or challenge. God showing up as He did and confirming His will for our lives was forever seared in our hearts and minds. We are grateful.

Patty Moore serves with her husband Robert who is International Director – COG Ministry to the Military with offices in Cleveland, Tennessee. She is a graduate of Lee College with graduate work at UTC and Chattanooga State. Prior to ministering in Germany, she taught High School with subsequent work in Middle School. They have served in ministry to military families and singles since 1977. They have 3 sons all born in Germany and 2 grandchildren.