How God Connected Us to New York City
by Jeff Olinghouse
When people hear about our journey to the Greater NYC area for ministry, several have wondered how we became connected to this amazing city in the first place. Most see NYC as an overpriced, overrated, overcrowded city that swallows folks from the Midwest like the ocean drowns a goldfish. While it is true that the New York Metro is overwhelming, we have a unique story that God Himself has been writing. It is His handiwork and His heart that is pulling us to this magnificent place.
The one thing I have learned about God is that when He is working in the details of something, He always has a connection. I once heard a very seasoned minister say, “Pay attention to the details of your life because God is working in the details.” So, I would like to share with you some of the details God has already brought together in opening the doors to the NYC Metro area.
Shortly after our wedding in 2012, the Holy Spirit gave us very clear direction that there was a change coming in our lives and we needed to prepare. Based upon that directive, we began to seek God and His plans for the next season. I will never forget one Sunday afternoon when we were coming home from church, the Holy Spirt spoke to me and said, “It’s time to go to Bible School.” This was in February, and school began in September. We had a few months to get ready for this change, and so I said, “Lord, I will obey if You open the doors.” Little did I know the kind of doors that God would open when I yielded to His voice!
At that time, I was working a full-time career job and had garnered a nice block of clients, but the call of God continued to pull me further into His plans. I began to send my resume to several locations that would work around my new school schedule for the fall. A few things opened, but I knew none of these opportunities were right. So we continued to wait upon the Lord’s leading, and in August of that year, I received a phone call to become an independent consultant with a NYC based agency. They offered me a contract immediately along with the freedom to build my own hours so I could both work and attend school. (I’ve been working with this company ever since!)
Thanks to my job with the NYC based agency, the Lord has been continuing to connect us to the area. All throughout my time in Bible school, I was being introduced to the NYC culture through my job. I was learning the mindset of a big city mentality and the pace of life that it takes to survive in a metropolis environment. This has all worked together over the past few years to prepare us for the significant change of moving from the quiet suburbs of the Midwest to the vibrant, multi-cultural enclave of New York City.
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It’s amazing to look back and discover just how much God sees ahead and prepares things ahead of time for His plans. Nothing is wasted with Him if we follow Him closely. He’ll even use our natural skills for the calling He has on our life!
As we continue to walk out this journey to relocate to the NYC Metro, God is using these natural connections for inroads into the city and surrounding areas. When He finally releases us to go, we will be fully prepared, fully connected, and fully supplied to step over into His perfect place for us.
When praying about God’s particular calling on our lives, Mica and I were led to study the Biblical example of Aquila and Priscilla. They were a true New Testament ministry couple, called to a unique blend of full-time ministry and the marketplace together as a husband-and-wife team. Their work actually opened up doors for them to further the work of God’s Kingdom as they discipled believers, planted works, and pastored churches in a multi-cultural context. We’ve taken this example to heart and have watched as the Lord has knit together a custom-made assignment just for us that uses every one of our spiritual and natural equipment, gifts, and talents to reach the harvest in these last days.
I believe one of the reasons God has allowed me the opportunity to work with the NYC agency is to eliminate the shock factor when we fully relocate to the area. Yes, NYC is expensive, overwhelming, and loud. However, under all the hustle and bustle of the big city, there are still people with broken hearts that need restoration and liberation from a life of hopelessness.
Now more than ever is the time when the Gospel must go forth in full demonstration to all corners of the world—and that includes the NYC Metro. We are willing and yielded to obey this call and take up the Cross for the sake of the Gospel. NYC is a BIG pond with many nations connected to it and impacted by it. We recognize the strategy and purpose God has for this place, and we are excited to bring the new life of Jesus Christ to the harvest fields of this amazing global city.