“I was in my office having a coffee and a quiet time as is my habit. Tim and Kris were on my mind. I have always enjoyed Tim’s messages at the Western Home, and I thought “I wonder if he might start something”. The Holy Spirit and I started to have a conversation about all of this. In that conversation, the thought of a financial seed to start a ministry was born, the amount was clear, and the need to do it right now was crystal clear, but that was about it. All my suggestions in the conversation with the Holy Spirit were not really dismissed, but they didn’t get any traction either.
My sense was that God had a plan, and he was moving. I had no idea (and still don’t know today) if the timing or the day this all happened was crucial but, to the Holy Spirit, the timing was absolutely now. I remember saying: “OK Lord, this is a little weird, it’s a little after 5 AM, the check is written, and I know I can’t call him now, but you want me to go when the office opens and just give it to him?”
I sensed a strong “Yes” in my spirit from His Spirit. I had ideas about what else to say or encouragement to give that morning that would make me more comfortable doing this, and the Spirit and I bantered about this. He listened intently to my many ideas but, in the end, He didn’t answer many of my questions but made it clear what I was to do. In fact, I can almost hear that sweet voice you hear in your mind but not in your ears, “Todd, I think we will go with my plan, don’t you agree?”
“Yes” I replied.
His plan was for me was to tell Tim here is a check to start a 501 c (3) for a future ministry.
I said to the Holy Spirit, he is going to ask me to clarify that. He is going to want more of an explanation… what do I say? His response was: “Have I told you what it is for?” Not completely, just to start a 501C (3).
“That is your job here. I will do the rest.”
So that is just what I did, I showed up on Tim’s doorstep with a check and that brief instruction.
Five hours later, at 9:00 AM that same morning, Todd faithfully delivered that financial seed to Tim Boettger, our Executive Director, at his office at The Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he worked as the Director of Spiritual Care.
Unbeknownst to both of them, God was beginning a new initiative in which He would slowly be bringing together a number of uniquely gifted individuals to form this one-of-a-kind ministry for this unique time in our culture. We now refer to Todd as God's first "Inspired Giver" to this ministry. We wouldn't be here if Todd hadn't been faithful to what he sensed God was asking him to do.
