Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
What If? Why Not? A Journey of Faith, Purpose, and the Call to Action
Have you ever found yourself asking, “What if?” or “Why not me?” Those two small questions can be powerful catalysts, calling us to step beyond comfort, beyond past choices, and into a life of purpose. My journey has been a long one, filled with moments where I questioned, resisted, and sometimes missed opportunities. But over time, I began to see these questions as invitations from God—a challenge to trust in something bigger than myself. Today, I want to invite you to join me in exploring these questions.
The Moment That Changed Everything
In 1995, I attended a men’s retreat that would alter the course of my life. I was preparing to leave the army, unsure of my future, and nearly didn’t go because I couldn’t afford it. My pastor convinced me, and it was there that I had a powerful encounter with God. The speaker, Alton Garrison, was a gifted man of God, and during that time, I felt called to surrender fully to God’s will. I told God, “I’ll go where You want me to go, do what You want me to do.” Little did I know this was just the beginning.
After that, God led us to Tulsa, where I started working on airplanes, training in ministry, and surrounding myself with leaders who inspired me. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more. I had always been around prophetic leadership and was introduced to the idea of fivefold ministry—where each role (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher) is active in the church. But while the idea was present, it wasn’t implemented. This left me wondering: What if we actually did it?
From “What If” to “Why Not?”
As life progressed, my family moved to California, where I served as a youth pastor. God began stirring a vision in me about how the fivefold ministry could transform the church. What if we committed to building a church that mirrored the Acts 2 model? What if we dared to establish a community where each role was operating fully in God’s plan?
Years later, my family and I moved to Arizona, and I continued asking, “What if?” My wife and I would talk late into the night, dreaming about the ideal church—one where we could finally stop doing church as usual. This church would be a place where the spirit of God moved freely, a place where we weren’t just following old models but building something new.
As we sought clarity, I couldn’t ignore the stories of biblical figures who dared to answer the “what if” question with bold action. What if Noah hadn’t built the ark? What if Elijah hadn’t taken his stand? What if we hadn’t committed to prayer? Their choices weren’t always easy, but they were transformational.
Finding My “Why Not” Moment
A few years ago, my close friend, Prophet John, reached out with an opportunity to start a new church. Initially, I didn’t respond, but looking back, I see how that one moment was pivotal. While we discussed it later, I realized that God had used that delay to prepare us all. We weren’t ready then, but God was guiding us, putting us through trials to test our endurance and commitment. I found myself wondering, “What if I had answered that call right away?”
Today, I see these “what if” moments not as regrets but as reminders. They lead me to the “why not” that keeps pushing us forward. Why not build a church here in south Tucson? Why not the Citadel? Why not now? And why not each of us? These questions no longer feel like doubts but instead spark a call to action.
Embracing New Wineskins
For our church, it was clear: we couldn’t be bound by traditional structures. Our vision needed a fresh start, what Jesus called “new wineskins” for new wine. We began to see ourselves as part of a prophetic church, an Acts 2 church, and a church dedicated to the fivefold ministry. We were going to build something new—a model that wasn’t dependent on one person but built on a team, each operating in their calling to empower the church.
Our church wouldn’t just be led by a pastor. We would need an evangelist, a prophet, a teacher, and an apostle. We would need all five roles, working together, for the church to grow and fulfill its mission.
Why Not You?
So, now I ask you the same questions I asked myself. Why not you? Why not now? We all have unique gifts, experiences, and even challenges that God can use to bring transformation. If you feel uncertain or unqualified, let that go. God has a purpose for you.
If you’re feeling called to start a business, lead a community, or build something for God, ask yourself, “Why not me?” We need more leaders, more visionaries, and more people stepping up to say, “I’ll go where You send me.”
A Call to Action
As I look at my community and the many young lives around us, I’m reminded that the “why not” question is not just for us—it’s for the next generation too. I can imagine a church filled with young people passionately worshiping God, crossing generational and cultural gaps, and stepping into their purpose.
So, whenever you face doubts, remember: God has brought you to this moment for a reason. When you hit roadblocks, hold onto your “why not” and let that question fuel your faith.
This is our time. Let’s rise up, ask the big questions, and live out the answers. Why not build something new? Why not you? Why not now?
