Is God done with Me? | Youth Factor T.V. Episode 010

In 2011 I was forced out of my position as a full time youth pastor. It would be over four years before I found my next position. In the meantime I sold Direct T.V. in Walmart, I sold water filters door to door, I painted peoples addresses on the curb of their house (More door to door), I sold cars (At two different dealerships) I tried to start a hand full of businesses (Including a ministry resource site called Church Loot.) Those failed. I spent about two years as a freelance marketer and copywriter, and even spent a few months as a project manager and copywriter at a start up. Oh, and I also founded a awesome group called the Entrepreneurs Round-table where I have made some of the best friends of my life. I was even homeless. Not once, but twice, with a wife and two kids. (Thanks grandma for letting us crash at your California house) My entire identity was wrapped up in being a youth pastor who would one day be a church planter. Having that stripped away crushed me and for the next few years I was lost in life. I didn’t know what to do or what I was good for. It seemed like everything I tried failed even though I knew others where having great success in it. For the first time in my life I found myself battling depression, and for the first time since I was 11 felt like I had no mission to carry out. I literally felt like God had turned his back on me, and for the majority of this time felt nothing in church, or when I prayed. I was isolated and if not for my amazingly supportive wife, and two adorable and super loving kids… Well I don’t know where I would have ended up. Thankfully I never have to find out. Why am I telling you all this? Exposing the biggest struggle of my life and laying myself and my insecurities out there for anyone to see? Because I have seen dozens of youth pastors going through similar trials in the varies Facebook groups I am in. I felt compelled to share my story as well as some encouragement in your time of need.SHOW LESS