I am honored to be writing an article as a Pastor for Pastors to encourage and inspire. I have been a full-time Pastor going on fourteen years and one of the best things that has ever happened to me was when I joined a “Champion’s Table” through the ministry of All Pro Pastors. Paul Pickern really encouraged me to join a Champion’s Table as I attended the All Pro Pastors’ events but I kept putting it off. Paul never gave up on me and even personally called me in regard to joining a Table.
When I really started to consider it, and pray, I felt inspired by the Holy Spirit to follow through with joining a Champion’s Table. Paul set everything up for me to introduce myself to the table and I’ll never forget that it was at McDonald’s in Valrico. After that initial meeting, I was then accepted at the table and it has been truly life changing ever since. It takes time to get to know one another and at this time we really do know each other.
One of the challenges that all pastors face is accountability and friendships outside the church. When I Joined the Champion’s Table, I was blessed to be able to have accountability and friendships. Being a Pastor can truly be a lonely place where you cannot relate to a lot of people because of your position. Pastors are not perfect and there’s a lot of pressure when people put you on a pedestal. When I come to the Table each week, I get to vent and truly pour out my heart with whatever is pressing me. Being at the table allows me to be a better listener and not being the one who does all the talking. I find it interesting that Yeshua had His last supper at a table with His disciples in Jerusalem before He was crucified and I get to meet my friends every week at a table. I look forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb when we can all sit at the same table with Yeshua our Messiah.
Pastor Nick
Beit Tehila Congregation
Pastor Nick Plummer Beit TehilaIn Revelation 12:11 it says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Every child of God has a testimony and this is how we overcome the devil. Our testimony is also a great witness to not only lead others to the Lord but to encourage them.
I was born again (saved) in March, 1992, at the age of 24, and my whole life was radically changed. I was brought up in the Catholic church but was not practicing my faith and only occasionally would I attend mass. There’s a big difference between believing in God and being born again. When I became born again, I attended a local Baptist church and was baptized in water there. While attending a Word of Faith church, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit has equipped me to walk out this journey.
I was later led to attend a non-denominational church in Brandon and worked with the youth ministry there. God was stirring a great interest in me to visit Israel. I even bought a tour book. The Dryer family began to attend this church as well, and Tikvah Dryer brought Davidic dance with her. As I got to know this family they began to share the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith with me. They also shared with me how I was grafted into the olive tree that represents Israel (Romans 11:13-24). I celebrated my first Feast of Passover with them in 1995.
In 1996, Randy and Tikvah Dryer felt led to start a home fellowship to teach the Hebrew roots of Christianity. I had been playing the guitar since I was a teenager and they asked me to lead worship for their Saturday services. I have to say it was very exciting to sing Messianic songs – some in Hebrew!
I took my first trip to Israel for the Feast of Tabernacles in 1996 with a group led by Randy and Tikvah. The following year I was able to go to Israel again for the Feast of Tabernacles, and on October 19, 1997, in Jerusalem, I confessed my love for Randy and Tikvah’s daughter, Danielle. We began a courtship and were married on July 24, 1999. Since that time we have discovered the truth of betrothal and now practice that at Beit Tehila.
In the fall of 1999 thanks to Rabbi Ralph Messer, Beit Tehila began their first Torah cycle. Pastor Randy, now my father-in-law, was directed by the Holy Spirit to have me ordained in April, 2002. That same year the Holy Spirit led Pastor Randy to purchase nearly five acres of land and erect a modular building in which to meet, and on September 20, 2002, Beit Tehila started meeting at our eighth location (where we still meet today). While Pastor Randy was busy getting everything set up he got cancer, and God took him home on November 17, 2002. At his death, I was appointed Pastor of Beit Tehila Congregation.
Danielle and I now have seven children: three sons and four daughters. We reside in Brandon, Florida.
I want to thank Pastor Randy and Pastor Tikvah Dryer (now Tikvah Kolbo) for allowing me to carry on the vision that was given to them. I am blessed to serve the Body of Christ at Beit Tehila and it has been an exciting journey.
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