A little under a year ago I had plans to move out to Colorado and jump into support-raising for my new ministry job with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I knew I had to get a job before being ‘fully-funded’ as you call it in the ministry world, basically just to pay rent. I’m a mountain town girl through and through, but living in Loveland was the most sensible for ministry. After vacationing in Estes my whole life, Brownfield’s had easily become my favorite store growing up, so of course this is the only job possibility that came to mind. My naïve-self thought: “Okay, I will work at Brownfield’s for the summer, then I’ll be fully funded and move on with my life”… The Lord has a sense of humor because (thankfully) just the opposite took place.
We may make our plans but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9
I remember the first day of work going by in a blur, but after the first week I knew the Lord was already doing something so so sweet in both my sister and my life. How did we already feel like ‘family’ with our bosses? How did we already have such kind friends in our co-workers? Then when I found out the whole staff was FULL Christians, it all seemed too good to be true. I was so giddy to drive up to Estes every day and this was just the beginning.
I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. Ephesians 1:19
Support raising is about 100 times harder than I ever expected and I found this out very quickly. (For those who don’t know, being on staff with FCA you raise your entire salary, ministry budget, etc.). Sharing the vision of FCA and the burden God has put on my life to share the gospel with high school and middle school students is easy. Finding open-hearts to listen and simply the time last summer was challenging. I count it all as gain though, because relying on the Lord to provide those with faithful hearts is a lesson on patience I had been waiting to walk through. I noticed Don, Jamie and Anne intentionally cared for each of their employees in unique ways from early on and when questions started coming up about my ministry efforts and parts of my personal testimony I was elated to share. I felt at home and cared for in Colorado so much quicker than expected, which was an answer to prayers.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
I get an email each time someone new joins my ‘Home Team’ or makes a donation to the ministry. The first four emails I got were all from my Brownfield’s family. Speechless would be a great way to describe my reaction—I hadn’t been in town for a month and the Lord was already showing me his sovereign hand through my steps towards ministry. Finances are a vital part to the Lord’s work, but it has never been about the money, in the end it’s ALWAYS about the people. It’s the fact that God had already planned each step of the journey. He hand-picked how I would be working at Brownfield’s in one of the most stretching times in my life and he hand-picked individual people to support me and partner with me in ministry whom I had just met. I believe this is God’s love on display in full force.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
John 13:34
Brownfield’s is the epitome of a partner. I am so grateful that they support me in a financial way but I am more grateful they believe in me and the work I am privileged enough to do for FCA. Ministry is simply not possible without servant leadership from people like Brownfield’s management. By the grace of God I got phase 1 fully funded last month and have been loved and supported by Brownfield’s each month since moving here. I started working at Brownfield’s for a summer job, I was eternally blessed by the unprecedented partnership in life and now I will continue to go back and work every chance I get because Brownfield’s is family.
By Sierra Peterson
https://my.fca.org/sierrapeterson
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
3 comments
What a fantastic story. Brownfields is the greatest. The staff is amazing. God bless you all.
Class act story, mission and people.
May God bless you further as you do His work. The Brownfield’s crew is the best and we love Don, Jamie, and Anne.
What a wonderful story! I’m not at all surprised that Brownfield’s is a family! I can tell when I’m there! I’ve also been to Estes Park every summer since I was 8. It’s such a wonderful place. And Brownfield’s is such a special shop!! Can’t wait to see all those friendly friends’ faces!