Valor Conference:
“It is Finished” – God’s Success Story!
In the summer of 2009, the second project generated through my Prayer of Jabez challenge began to formalize. Prayer partners in our Rocky Cove Church began to ask God’s direction and wisdom as we looked to see where He was working. God laid the Valor Conference on our hearts to be an outreach project to offer encouragement and thanksgiving to the spouses of deployed military personnel. Without much experience in this arena, it would surely be a complete reliance on God to see how He would accomplish His task through us. And so He began His work…
We believed drawing big names was the key to having a successful event, names such as David Robinson, Laura Bush, or Oliver North. Even Henry Blackaby was thought as a possibility to speak, but to no avail. The Omni San Antonio Hotel agreed to be a co-host with us to sponsor the event, which was very humbling, as most business ventures choose not to engage in faith-based activities. A November 2009 date had been decided on and time was beginning to run out as to who we would have speak; a morning speaker had committed to coming, but musical talent and an afternoon speaker was not yet set. Panic was setting in! Six weeks before the event, we decided to postpone the conference to a future date in 2010. What was God doing and why? Did we miss the mark? Did we not hear his direction at some point? Forgive us, Lord, if we have failed you…
As we stepped back, we began to pray for God’s guidance and leadership, earnestly seeking His direction, as we were still in the dark as to how this event was to transpire. We did not feel that God was through with this event, rather, that He was still working to educate us, and show us His ways. As our team was settling on another date to schedule, my co-leader made the statement that we needed me to be the afternoon speaker, as it was evident to her that God was not interested in having seasoned people who could ‘wow’ the audience, but rather, someone who could show the love of Christ to the people through their testimony. I promised I would agree to be the speaker, but only after one more attempt at finding a well-known person; one week later, I finally conceded to the request, on my knees, in tears…what was God up to?
How interesting that things move quickly when we are in obedience with the Heavenly Father! Progress with plans moved ahead and with ease as the July 25th date began to approach. Two months before the event, our musical talent called to inform us they could not hold their commitment as they had been notified of an awards banquet they were to perform at because they were up for an award and must be present. More prayer was definitely needed as the word was going out to many directions…sponsorships were coming in slowly…were we missing the mark? God said ‘Keep moving forward, I’m in control’…and so we did, not being able to see where and how He would overcome the hurdle. But, in faith, we believed, and God provided a more suitable talent for our cause…it was the perfect fit! A retired military man, who had physical disabilities, yet God was still using him through miraculous medical progress! What a testimony!
Connecting to the media proved to be our most challenging opportunity. It seemed no one wanted to touch the event; why, with San Antonio being a predominantly military town? God would not reveal that answer to us, it was only for Him to know. So we prayed fervently and sent out requests for prayer in every direction we could think of. Time is now of the essence…it is about 6 weeks before the event, and no one has signed up yet! God, what’s up with this? Hello, are you there? What are we missing? Can we get some help, please?
The bases began to be contacted and one agreed to be our registration point for all the bases. Great! Seems simple enough, what a blessing! They wanted to put restrictions on the event, did we have a children’s program (well, I guess that’s needed if “single” parents are going to come), were we going to pray ‘in Jesus’ name’, you know, it would offend some, etc. WHAT??? I don’t think SO! God, what do we do with this? Three days I prayed, fumed, and struggled with a needed response. We were blessed with a San Antonio church who quickly agreed to be our children’s ministry, so that was settled, but what about the other request? It finally came to me, I wasn’t going to respond with an answer; no, I realized this was God’s event, not mine, or ours, but His, and HE needed to take care of this request, so I promptly gave it to Him, and strongly asked Him to take it and deal with it because He had not given me the authority to answer for Him in this situation. He quickly settled it by removing the party who was making the request from the mix. Thank you, God, now, can we move on? Although, I was joyous about how God had resolved the issue, my heart was concerned for the families who were going to be affected by someone else’s poor judgment. God, would you please help get the word to those families who might not otherwise be in the loop? God heard his servant’s heart and worked out a solution, as only He can do.
The hotel is now beginning to panic and be stressed, as things are not working according to their SOP (standard operating procedures), and it’s a little awkward for them. I continue to assure them to sit tight, and watch God unfold His plan. I have had enough experience with God’s callings that He always waits to the last, perfect moment to reveal His glory to me. They were skeptical to say the least; prayer was now daily, several times a day. Throughout this process, I was watching and praying for my co-leader as she was learning how to balance a corporate career and her faith walk. How precarious it can be! God blesses and protects when we are obedient and seek His face through all things.
One week before the conference, registrations were coming in, and all other details were in place. Organizations came together beautifully to donate services and gifts for our attendees, and they came away truly touched and blessed by the outpouring of love and care. The hotel was blessed by TV media coverage that was not expected, and our small band of 17 church members saw the awesome power and faithfulness of God as we, few in number, trusted and in faith, obediently went to where God was working.
My first Jabez challenge was with 6 people, following God’s leadership to put on a mission banquet, with 40 people in attendance, which generated almost twice as many donations as was prayed for, which, by the way, was exactly what really was needed to complete the finances of the mission trip, which reached several thousand people for Christ. My second Jabez challenge started with 12 people, following God’s leadership to have a conference to honor our military families, with 80 people in attendance, which generated enough funds to sponsor 135 lunches for the spouses. Are you seeing a pattern here? The focus of the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 is asking God to expand Jabez’ territory, so he may be a blessing to others, as they may see and experience the power of God through Jabez’ obedience in following God’s lead and direction. With that said, the future of the Valor Conference is already in God’s hands, being worked for His glory, as we have been contacted about holding this event at another location, as funds are already available to begin this future work. May God continue to expand His territories through our immediate obedience. Please be in prayer as we seek God’s leadership for our future.
Yours in Christ, Carla O’Dell, Rocky Cove Church
