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Church Management

Would YOU do a $250,000 Trust Fall?

Joshua Gordon
By
Joshua Gordon
Joshua Gordon Editor and Content Strategist

Joshua Gordon is a lay-pastor, author, and editor of TheLeadPastor.com. Over the last two decades, Josh has worked closely with pastors and other christian leaders, helping them to sharpen and elevate their messages. Today, Joshua pastors at New Life Fellowship, a thriving church he helped plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

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QUICK SUMMARY

Read how a Vancouver church faced a $250,000 shortfall, refused a bank loan, and saw God provide in unexpected ways. A real-life story of faith, waiting, and trusting God’s path—especially when best practices aren’t enough.

A man with clasped arms falling backward into a crowd

If you’ve ever stood in that terrifying place between obedience and provision — this story is for you.

We were $250,000 short, with no money on the horizon. My team and I had done all the right fundraising things, followed all the expert advice… but nothing worked.

The only thing we knew for sure was that God did not want us to go to the bank for a bridge loan.

Pastor Ryan Johnson, ChurchUntitled.com

Growth Often Brings New Pressures.

For years, Pastor Ryan Johnson had watched his downtown Vancouver congregation (called ‘Church Untitled’) overflow with life.

  • They were cramming 300+ people into a room built for 180.
  • Their kids' church was forced to happen off-site.
  • People were lining up an hour before services started.

Though these were good problems (ie:  signs of health and momentum), Ryan and his team still struggled to work within the very real operational limits.

Then, God opened a door to a new space that tripled  Church Untitled’s space.  The church rallied, the construction project launched… 

…and a brand new challenge was quickly presented.

When Best Practices Aren’t Enough…

As is so often the case, construction costs overshot the budget. The Church Untitled leaders  found themselves staring down the barrel of a $250,000 shortfall.They did everything a wise, faithful leadership team should do:

  • They hired a grant writer.
  • They approached major donors.
  • They explored outside funding partners.
  • They prayed, deeply and often, for clarity.

They discerned, waited, listened - but nothing came worked. Not a single grant came through. No donor signed on.  Zero dollars.

—--Are you in a difficult waiting place right now? If so, I’ve been there. I wrote this short, encouraging (& free) resource for you.

Know a pastor that could benefit from this? Send them this link: http://www.theleadpastor.com/pastoring-in-the-red

Are You Willing to Refuse The Shortcut?

Someone suggested securing bridge financing from the bank… but the Church Untitled team didn’t feel peace about the idea. And, the more they thought about it, the more they believed God was putting a tough decision in front of them.

Would they pause, stop trying to force a solution, and wait?

The following  Sunday, Pastor Ryan addressed the situation from the pulpit, saying:

“Despite our need, we believe God’s telling us not to go to the bank for a loan. If God really said He’s doing this — then He will come through.”

In the days following Ryan’s announcement, Church Untitled received $130,000 in unexpected donations. Then, only a few short  weeks later, Church Untitled was given final occupancy clearance on their new space. The remaining balance came due. 

Pastor Ryan got a phone call.  An anonymous donor had paid the remaining amount owing. 

Amazing, right?  Stories like this are lifeblood to me… they’re full of redemptive hope. But here’s what I’m NOT saying.

  • This story is not ‘prosperity math’. Obedience doesn’t guarantee a windfall. Faith isn’t a transaction that forces God’s hand.
  • This story is not a rebuke of strategy. Planning matters. Good stewardship includes wisdom, expertise, and community discernment.
  • This story is not permission for passivity. Pastor Ryan’s team worked hard. They exhausted every channel. What shifted wasn’t effort — it was posture.

Ultimately, This Story is An Invitation:

Will you trust God with MORE than just the result? Will you trust Him with the path that gets you there? If you’re feeling pressure right now — to make something happen, to find the fix, to force the outcome — I want to offer you this:

  • Strategic planning is wise - but should never replace discernment or obedience.
  • The moment your playbook fails is usually the moment your formation deepens.

So, before you push harder, take a breath.  

Pause.  

Remind yourself that God is not slow. God is not stingy. God is not silent. And He is always inviting you to a deeper trust.

If you’ve experienced a time when your plans failed but God moved anyway, or if you’re still waiting for a miracle, I’d love to hear your story. Connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn, and let’s encourage each other in faith. 

And if you’d like more stories like this, subscribe to my newsletter for regular encouragement and practical insights.

In Christ, Who is our life,

(signature)

Joshua Gordon

Senior Editor | The Lead Pastor
Pastor | New Life Fellowship

Joshua Gordon
By Joshua Gordon

Joshua Gordon is a lay-pastor, author, and editor of TheLeadPastor.com. Over the last two decades, Josh has worked closely with pastors and other christian leaders, helping them to sharpen and elevate their messages. Today, Joshua pastors at New Life Fellowship, a thriving church he helped plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

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