Launching into the Unknown: Discovering God's Greater Plan Through Trusting Him

By Dr. Tim Orr

This is the first of a few blogs I plan to write this week. It will focus on lessons I've learned in ministry over the years that have shaped who I am today. Each story reflects a pivotal moment where God taught me to trust, wait on His timing, and step out in faith—even when the path ahead seemed uncertain. I hope these reflections encourage your faith journey wherever God leads you.

It was the spring of 1994, and my late wife Michelle and I were at a crossroads in our ministry. We were living in Terre Haute, Indiana, enrolled in our denomination’s Ministerial Internship Program, preparing to step into vocational ministry. It was an intense time—balancing reading assignments, writing, and monthly meetings with other ministry candidates and their spouses. We thought our future was somewhat mapped out, but God had bigger plans.

One day, our State Overseer of the denomination we were part of spoke words that forever changed our lives: "Don’t expect to enter an established church. You’ll need to be ready to plant one." I hadn’t anticipated this advice, but his words took root deep within us. The seed was planted, but the journey would prove to be anything but straightforward.

We prayed, searched Scripture, and wondered where God might lead us. The more we sought His direction, the clearer it became—East Chicago and Gary, Indiana. Most people overlooked this place, known more for its struggles than its potential. It wasn’t the place anyone would expect to start a church. But there we were, confident in our call, sensing God’s hand guiding us to a part of the state where few churches wanted to venture.

The decision didn’t come without its skeptics. Friends and family couldn’t understand why we would choose such a difficult and seemingly forsaken place. But this wasn’t about making sense in the eyes of the world. This was about obedience to God. I’ll never forget the conversation with my pastor, who also served as the Evangelism Director for our denomination at the time. I told him that Michelle and I felt called to plant a Hispanic church there (it would later turn out to be a multicultural church made up primarily of African Americans. His response was immediate—he knew, just as we did, that this call was from the Lord. We didn’t anticipate that our vision for a Hispanic congregation would become a multicultural church primarily comprised of African American members.

But before we could set foot in East Chicago, God tested our faith unexpectedly.

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The Trial of Waiting and Trusting

Our journey to plant this church began with uncertainty. Although the call was clear, the path was murky. We hadn’t secured jobs yet, and that looming reality hung over us. Michelle was a Spanish teacher, and for us to make the move, she needed a teaching position lined up before the school year began. So, she did what anyone would do—she applied everywhere, filling out countless applications to schools in the East Chicago/Gary area. Weeks turned into months, and with each passing day, it felt like our dream was slipping further out of reach. Every door seemed to shut, and we found ourselves in the uncomfortable place of waiting—waiting for God to move a breakthrough or anything to give us clarity.

I remember vividly the day in July when a school from Illinois, just outside of Chicago, finally called for an interview. We were excited and hopeful. Maybe this was the door God was opening. But when we arrived at the school, the atmosphere was unlike anything we had ever encountered. Metal detectors greeted us at the entrance, a stark reminder of the kind of environment we were stepping into. It was a world away from the quiet, rural school Michelle had been teaching at in Terre Haute. It felt like a war zone, both literally and spiritually. In our minds, we couldn’t shake the question: Was this really where God wanted us?

We were oddly relieved when the school decided to go with another candidate. But relief didn’t bring clarity. We were still without a job, and summer quickly turned into fall. With each passing day, our dreams seemed to grow more distant. Would we have to wait another year to begin our work in East Chicago?

Then came the moment when God asked us to leap of faith. I remember kneeling in prayer, pleading for direction, when a small voice spoke to my heart: It’s time to move. I shared this with Michelle, and after days of agonizing over the decision, we both knew what we had to do. It was time to step out, to trust God fully, even though every practical part of us was screaming to wait. So, with no job in hand and no clear plan, we quit and prepared to move to East Chicago. It was a terrifying act of obedience.

A Miracle at the Eleventh Hour

The phone rang again just days after we made that leap of faith. This time, it wasn’t a school in Illinois—it was one in Indiana near East Chicago. What’s more, it was the same school we had stopped by on our way back from the Illinois interview months earlier when hope felt faint. Coincidence? Not in God’s economy.

They wanted Michelle to interview for a middle school Spanish position. She accepted the interview, and the sense of favor was palpable when she walked out of that meeting. The school was ready to hire her on the spot, but there was a catch—she needed an Indiana teaching license. Michelle had applied for one, but as we drove home, a sudden realization hit her: she had sent a personal check with the application instead of the required money order. It was a minor detail that could cost her the job. Our hearts sank. Would this be the roadblock that kept us from stepping into God’s plan?

But then, something miraculous happened. I can only describe it as the voice of the Holy Spirit, clear and direct: The envelope is still on the secretary’s desk. I hadn’t had an experience like that before, and I haven’t had many since. But in that moment, I knew God was about to move.

We pulled into a McDonald’s parking lot and rushed to a payphone. Michelle called the state licensing agency to explain the situation. The woman on the other end was incredibly gracious—she wasn’t the one who normally handled these calls, but she offered to help anyway. And then came divine intervention: she was the mail lady. And yes, Michelle’s envelope was sitting right there on her desk. She would hold it until we could send the proper money order.

We were speechless. God had been orchestrating every detail.

We rushed to get the money order, made our way to Indianapolis, and hand-delivered it to the state office. The following Monday, Michelle received the call we had been waiting for. The school had received preliminary approval for her license, and they wanted her to come in and sign her contract immediately. God had provided in a way only He could.

Learning to Trust in God’s Timing

Reflecting on that season, I realize it wasn’t just about finding a job or planting a church—it was about learning to trust God’s timing, even when it seemed like He was silent. It was about stepping out in faith when the ground beneath us felt shaky. God taught us that His plan is always better, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense.

We had to be willing to move before all the pieces were in place. We had to trust God to provide, even when the odds were stacked against us. And He did. Every closed door, every moment of waiting, was part of His greater plan to grow our faith and prepare us for the ministry ahead.

We often want God’s provision to be neat and timely, but we have learned that His timing is rarely predictable. It stretches, grows, and leads us into deeper dependence on Him. And in that dependence, we find the richness of His faithfulness.

Stepping into God’s Promise

East Chicago wasn't just a city; it was where God revealed Himself in ways we had never experienced. It was where our faith was stretched and refined, where we saw His hand move in ways that left us speechless.

Through it all, we learned that following God’s call often leads us into the unknown. But it’s in the unknown that we discover who God truly is—the One who goes before us prepares the way, and meets our every need. In the moments of uncertainty, we experience His provision, faithfulness, and unwavering love.

We had put our faith in God’s plan, and He had redeemed every step of the journey. The church we planted in East Chicago would become a testimony of His goodness, a beacon of hope in a community where hope was desperately needed.

And through it all, we learned that when you put your faith in God, you never walk alone.

Tim Orr is a scholar, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, the University of Tehran, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.

Dr. Tim Orr

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey of mutual understanding and profound connection? Look no further! Welcome to a space where bridges are built, hearts are united, and faith flourishes. 🔗 🌟 Meet Tim Orr: Tim Orr isn’t just your average academic—he’s a passionate advocate for interreligious dialogue, a seasoned academic, and an ordained Evangelical minister with a unique vision. For over three decades, Tim has dedicated his life to fostering understanding, compassion, and dialogue between two of the world’s most influential faith communities: Muslims and Christians. 💡 Tim’s Mission: Tim’s mission is crystal clear: to bridge the gap between Christians and Muslims. His journey has taken him across continents, diverse communities, and deep into the heart of interfaith dialogue. Tim is fueled by a relentless desire to comprehend, connect, and cultivate trust between individuals of different faith backgrounds with every step.

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