Leadership Tips & Training My California Dream

This is my personal journal tracing how God fulfilled the desire of my heart. Psalm 20:4, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

• June 1997: "Lord, you have given me a heart for the people of California. There are those there that need encouragement and those that still need to hear about First Place. Lord, in your way and in your time provide the opportunity to hold a conference or workshop in California."

• 1997-2000: After the Lord had given me a heart for the people of California and had shown me the need that was there I began to pray. I asked God to make a way for First Place to grow in California and in the surrounding western states. By faith, I labeled a folder, "California Connection" and placed copies of any communication I would have with people in California.

• July 2000: I was asked to come and train leaders at a workshop in Phoenix, Arizona. "Lord, thank you for this opportunity to encourage leaders and help churches to implement First Place in the west!"

• October 2000: First Place signed a contract with a new publisher, Gospel Light. Gospel Light just happened to be located in Ventura, California! God was moving!

• February 2002: I received a call from Lou Marguiles, women's ministry director from Faith Fellowship Four Square Church in San Leandro, California. She was starting a First Place Class and wanted to know if there was a workshop scheduled near her. I told her there wasn't, but that we needed churches to volunteer to host such an event to train leaders. She said, "Well, maybe we could do something like that here at Faith Fellowship." I was blown away! I had been praying for almost 5 years that the Lord would make a way for First Place to grow in California. Now, He was answering!!!

• March 2002: Lou called to tell me, "Yes, we want to host a First Place workshop on May 4, 2002." "Thank you Lord. You are so good."

• April 23. 2002: I called Lou and she seemed anxious about the number of registrations they had received. I said, "Lou, how many do you need to attend in order to pay my expenses?" She told me that they would need at least 15 and that was how many they had registered. I told her I would pray for more to register.

• April 24, 2002: "Lord, your Word says in Mathew 21:20, "And all things you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive." Today, I pray in faith for the workshop and ask that you would double the number of registrations."

• April 30, 2002: I received word that today they had 32 registered for the workshop!

• May 3, 2002: I arrived in California and learned that now 42 people were registered to attend the first ever workshop in San Leandro, California! Praise the Lord! The First Place leaders and a few members of Faith Fellowship treated me to a wonderful seafood dinner. The evening was filled with sweet fellowship as the Lord knit our hearts together.

• May 4, 2002: What a glorious weekend! Saturday was a beautiful sunny day, which included testimonies, beautiful music, delicious First Place food, leadership training and sweet fellowship. God answered above and beyond anything I could have imagined. (Ephesians 3:20) Many attended who will now take First Place back to their churches. This is only the beginning of what God will do in order to transform lives throughout our world!

For more information on how your church can host a First Place workshop contact Nancy Taylor at ntaylor@firstplace.org or (800) 727-5223, ext. 403.

Nancy Taylor
Leadership Training Director


 
Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.