“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)
“Jonathan, I have many worship leaders but few fathers.” (see 1 Corinthians 4:15)
When I was 19, I was out at Lake Nacogdoches in East Texas reading Mike Bickle’s book After God’s Own Heart. God’s promise to the people of Israel struck me, “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15) Jeremiah 3 compares Israel’s behavior to that of a harlot. She is disobedient to God choosing wickedness instead of righteousness. In the midst of this, God calls Israel to return to Him saying that He will not be angry but instead will be gracious. Then He promises that He will send “shepherds after His own heart”. These shepherds’ job is to call God’s people to return to Him. I asked God in that moment, “make me one of those shepherds”.
In 2020, my heart was in pain. I had transitioned from Hope City back to the Global Prayer Room with expectation that I would become a worship leader. It turned out that there was not a place for me to do that. I went on my kayak camping alone for three days and God met me. I listened to some of the leaders in the Chinese Underground Church bring a word to IHOPKC that was instrumental in us stopping our Onething Conference to focus on focusing on going deep in God and growing together as family.
After listening, I heard His voice, “Jonathan, I have many worship leaders but few fathers.” (see 1 Corinthians 4:15) I could feel Him drawing me to respond to the call of leadership to be an Associate Section Leader in the morning section. What this really meant is I would serve as a pastor. By the grace of God, Theresa and I are pouring all of our energy in this season into shepherding those that we have been given responsibility for. The question I keep asking myself is, “God how can I be helpful to you?” In my conversations with people, I lean in and ask God to speak. I don’t want to give advice. I want God to speak through me what He is saying to His people. HE is the Good Shepherd and by His grace He is inviting us to shepherd His people with Him.
