Committed Faithfulness
Saying “I Do” to God’s Adventures
This spring marks 50 years since I stood before a full church in my wedding dress as my dad asked if I would take Wes as my husband. Little did I know, when I said “I do,” the adventures on which God would lead us.
We didn’t know anything about Jewish ministry when we signed a four-year contract with the ministry and thought, “If this doesn’t work out, we’ll do something else.” Those “greenhouse years” were in Miami, where we were mentored by mature believers. The ministry and our family flourished. Joshua and Jennifer were born. We made lifelong friends who became family.
In 1980 we answered the call to move to Israel for two years. We had never even visited, we didn’t speak Hebrew, we had two small children and no place to live! In our youthfulness we thought we could do anything. The Lord sustained us and we figured it out as He led us, step by step. Kathryn Shoshana was added to the Taber Tribe – our “Israeli souvenir.” We adapted to a new culture and experienced intense spiritual battles during these “desert years.”
We expected to return to our “Miami greenhouse,” but God called us to Chicago, where we moved into an apartment in LIFE’s former headquarters. Christine’s birth was a highlight during what proved to be turbulent years of meager finances, staff tensions and resignations, and stagnant ministry. During these “nightmare years” we cried, prayed, and pleaded with the Lord that we would go anywhere if He would release us from this ministry.
Instead, God renewed the ministry. When the headquarters moved in 1986, the building and the ministry underwent renovation. We purchased our first home and rejoiced when an elderly son of a rabbi attended our Bible study and professed faith in Messiah Jesus. During those turbulent years the Lord taught us not to run away because of difficult circumstances. Staying faithful led to the joy in these latter years of seeing how the Lord has provided.
Wes became director in 1990 and served in that role for three decades. It was a joy to watch Wes grow as he trusted the Lord to equip him. I served in the office, eventually accepting the Administrative Director role, which fits my God-given gifts. These were “blessing years” as the Lord added gifted staff and expanded our global ministry fields.
I had no idea what to expect five decades ago when Wes and I said “yes” to Life in Messiah, but I wouldn’t change it. I reflect on the adventure with amazement and profound gratitude for how we’ve experienced God’s sustaining love and witnessed His hand working in and through us.
Lori, Life in Messiah Administrative Director
