Episode 9 - Kendall Patterson

Join us for another episode of Worship. Grow. Follow. as Matt and Kendall chat about the Patterson's call to Montana and what the future holds.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:16

Growth Follow Podcast. It's a podcast at Gildam Springs Baptist Church, and we are thankful you're here with us. Joining me today is Kendall Patterson. Kendall is one of our students. She has grown in this church, and we're going to talk a little bit today about some changes that are happening in your life. For those of you who don't know, Kendall is the daughter of Jeremy and Amanda Patterson. Jeremy serves as our executive pastor here at Gillum Springs. And the season you guys are in, there's a lot of change. There's a lot of things happening. Tell us a little bit about what's going on.

SPEAKER_00 0:51

So my dad obviously chose, not chose, he was called up there to take a position. And so we're moving my whole family up there. And so it's just been a bit of a doozy a road that we went on. But yeah, so we're moving to Montana.

SPEAKER_01 1:11

That's crazy. So you you're born, you've been raised in Alabama, you know Alabama, and now at 16 years old, you're moving to to Montana, a a completely different place. I know we're gonna talk a lot about what that looks like and some things that maybe you're processing through. Um, but tell me a little bit about that first conversation y'all had that this was even something that could could be a thing.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

Yeah, so um my parents are like, okay, they called me and my brother and were like, we need to talk to you. And I was we all called it. Like, even my brother, he's like, Oh, we're moving to Montana because it's been tossed around in my house my whole life because they have a piece of like that's their heart, is Montana. And so when they were like, Yeah, we are thinking about moving up there, I was like, Okay, you know, yeah, like this has happened before we've thought about it, and it did like it fell through. So I was like, you know what, this is gonna fall through. I don't have to worry about anything, you know, this isn't gonna happen. So yeah, that's kind of like what happened, and I was I was just like pushing it out. I wasn't gonna think about it because it wasn't gonna happen in my eyes.

SPEAKER_01 2:18

Yeah, well, the Patterson family, y'all been serving in Montana your whole life for the greater part of 17 years at the point when we're recording this. So a lot of people, when they heard the news, weren't really that surprised. I mean, it's it's kind of been a joke for a long time. It's like, well, when are the Patters gonna move to Montana? But but for you, you've heard it so many times that it sounds like you just kind of like, oh, okay, it's just another time, we're gonna almost go to Montana. Well, then you guys go to Montana and you meet with people and you talk to a church and he preaches and there's a vote, and then all of a sudden, you're actually going to Montana. Tell me a little bit about what that felt like.

SPEAKER_00 3:05

Yeah, so as the week went on, um, I could feel it. I was just like, oh, we're moving here. Oh no, because there was just something, like, even though it was like confusion when we first got there, like, is this so? Is this not? It was just like as the week went on and we met more and more people, it was just like this is where we're supposed to be. And when the news, like when we first when I first was like, okay, this is actually happening, um, when the vote was like cast and he was like, I'll take it, I was I was a little mad, not because of anything, but that was just like not something I was ready to deal with. And going into here, I was like, I'm just gonna have a couple months here in Alabama, like why would I move again? And so that was like scary for me. Like all the thoughts, like everything I've ever known, my friends, like my connections, like I'm all moving away. And so that was like hard for me to like understand. So I was definitely struggling there with just like the new beginning. I wasn't ready for it because this was what I wanted, and this is I was comfortable where I was at, and I didn't want it to change.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

You know, I think there's probably a lot of people who are dealing with that, they're comfortable where they are and they don't want things to change. When in the ministry world, whenever we move positions, we say that we're called to a position because we recognize that that the Lord has placed us where he wants us to be. And this is exactly what that is. The Lord has called not only your dad, but your family to this new season. Whenever you hear that word called, what does that mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 4:47

Being sent. There uh go therefore and make disciples. We are being sent, we are being called to go, and it's like Montana is not like the South. Like people they don't know the name of Christ, and that's like crazy to comprehend, but it's like I'm going there to be a messenger, like I'm being called there. Like this is like I'm needed there. That's what that means to me. Is like I'm going out there to make a difference. I'm being out there, I'm being called, I'm being sent out there.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

That's amazing. Well, you know, we've we've served in Montana for a long time and we've been we've been privy to a lot of research. And in one of the most recent um research studies, it's shown that in different parts of Montana, depending on where you are, there's a less than 5% rate of salvation in that state. Evangelical Christians, it's less than 5%, and that is just crazy. And it's it's awesome to see people who are willing to go. We we say this all the time here at Gillam Springs is that you hold every person with an open hand. Um and that's easy to say, but it's a little bit harder whenever it's you. So have you seen the Lord speaking and working specifically in your family through this? And if so, what have you seen?

SPEAKER_00 6:08

Yeah, so as we as I said before, is like it was comfortable. Um, I feel like for the coup past couple months, it's been really comfortable. And like we as a family could live here our whole life and be okay with that because it's comfortable. Um, but it's been such a like we have always been close. Like that's our family unit, all five of us, me and my brothers and my mom and dad, that's like us. Like, we love to hang out. That's just but this has grown our relationship to a different level because it's not only tested, like it tests everyone's faith. And when you put a bunch of people who are getting tested all together, it creates a little bit of conflict. And so just going out your daily life and being like, what are you struggling with? Like having those open conversations of how can I help you today? What are you going through? It's just very important because this is all different for everyone in my family. Like everyone's struggling with something, it's not gonna be the same for the other person, and so it's just made us closer because we've had to reach out and check on each other. Because we're thinking about this, you're processing and you're wanting to hide. You don't wanna, you don't want to admit what you're feeling. Yeah, because you don't want to hurt the other person with being like scared. I'm scared to go, you know. So it's being really open with each other has made us like grow together.

SPEAKER_01 7:33

I've I've been thinking about it since I I heard the news, and I've just been thinking about all of your family and thinking about this idea of calling, this idea that God will call us to do things. And it may not be easy. A lot of times God calls us to really hard things. Um what's been the hardest part of this?

SPEAKER_00 7:59

I don't like leaving people behind.

SPEAKER_01 8:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:02

That's that's been a struggle because I like left public school when I was in eighth grade, and that's just crazy to see like how God has used that for now. It's like if I did not take that act of obedience, then where would I be? Like I would be struggling so much, like more. Like if I did not obey him then, then like I would run into a bump now. But I feel like because I'm not in that setting, it's not as hard as it could be, and I'm blessed because of that. But just connections with people, like as I get older, I've had connections with people that someone may not have as a younger person, so I've just gotten to know people really well, and that's so hard to leave going somewhere you never know. And so that's my thing is like I'm struggling, and then like I love being active and stuff, and you can be active in Montana, but there's just something different about being comfortable and knowing your stuff and just your daily life, like everything will change once you go up there.

SPEAKER_01 9:03

So it's like thinking about what's gonna change in like your daily life that scares me a little bit, so yeah, that's kind of what I've been is that maybe that may be what the answer to this question I'm gonna ask, but but has there been a moment and what has been the thing that has caused the moment where you say, God, I will go? But this is hard. Like you look up and you're like, God, I I want to be where you are, I trust you, but I don't get this. Have you had a moment where you were just like, I don't get this?

SPEAKER_00 9:39

Oh yeah, absolutely. Almost daily. I'm like, what is happening? Because I have a great job, I'm plugged in, I have a great church family, I have good friends, I have good resources. So it seems silly to leave that. It's like, why would you do that? And so I've definitely, yeah, that's been something to me. It's just like like obviously I'm about to leave to go to college after I get my associate's degree, but it's just been like I was prepared for that. Like in my head, I was I was planning that, but this wasn't in my timing, obviously. For sure, God's timing. So this threw the wagon wheel off my wagon because I was like, um, I'm sorry, God. Like, what are you doing? So it's like definitely changed that. I'm like, what's happening?

SPEAKER_01 10:28

You were cool with change as long as you made the decision about what that change was. Yeah. Well, you know, I'm I'm sure there are people all over the world who are experiencing exactly what you are. Like they they have this idea of, okay, I'm cool with change as long as it fits within this sphere that I've created. But then whenever things get thrown off, it's really hard. But I've watched, and I'm sure you have too, the Lord does so much more in our weakness than he does in our comfort, right? So whenever you think about Montana, just generally, like you've been to Montana several times more than most people your age from here. What do you think is gonna be like the hardest adjustment?

SPEAKER_00 11:16

Um, relationships, yeah. Definitely, because I'm a people person, I love to talk to people, I will talk, talk, talk, but there is something about like having a genuine relationship with someone, like there is a like surface level relationship, and then there's a deep relationship, and that's something I thrive off. I have to have that deep relationship with somebody, and so because I'm only there for a short period of time, I'm a little fearful of making those relationships because you know, like relationships take time, and so that scares me because I'm like, I'm only gonna be here for so long. How am I gonna do this? Like, like what am I gonna do? So that definitely scares me because again, I'm such a people person, and like just like I have a perfect job here, I have all this stuff, like I'm financially stable, you know, and then here I am going into nothing, like I don't even have something planned out, and that scares me. So that's kind of whenever you think about that.

SPEAKER_01 12:17

We we've said it a few times that it doesn't make sense. You have all of the things that that most people would want here. And there are there are gonna be whispers of people who are gonna say, that doesn't make sense. Why are they doing this? What would you say?

SPEAKER_00 12:38

It's not wait, it's for it's not about me though. Yeah, it's for his glory. And if I'm comfortable here, then I'm not where I'm supposed to be. If we are comfortable, that's not right. Like we need to be, you need to be a little uncomfy in every situation, I truly believe. And that's that's just what you're doing. Is like, why am I comfortable here? Yes, I'm impacting lives, but think how many more lives I can be impacting.

SPEAKER_01 13:07

Whenever you think about like, I'm hearing you, and your story says that you were really comfortable before all this, before you found out, before all the things, like you were in a season of comfort. And then now your world's been turned upside down. I think about that, and I and I can't help but think there's a message for people. I can't help but think that there's something that people need to hear in that at the point when we reach that level of comfort, maybe we should be concerned. What do you think? I mean, do you agree?

SPEAKER_00 13:41

I mean absolutely. Like, there is a season, there's always like a season where you need to be like a trial process where you need to re-evaluate yourself and like just sit and grow. Like, that is okay to be comfortable. You need to be comfortable sometimes because sometimes you're burnt out. And so I feel like for this season of seven years that we've been here, this has been very comfortable and it's really like it's been healing to our faith walk. And so I feel like we could be stay on this route and be totally fine because that's that's that's just normal. But this is not who we were called to be.

SPEAKER_01 14:22

That's so good. I wish more people would look at life that way. I wish more people would think I'm gonna heal. Maybe I've been hurt. Maybe I've gone through some things, and I need time to heal. But I'm going to put things or parameters or boundaries in my life to where when I've healed, I go back out. As opposed to just staying still. So I think that our adults need to hear that from you. I don't think it's just our teenagers. I think it's our adults, I think it's anyone with an earshot of this conversation because at 16 years old, you have a safe place, you're you're loved. You have all the things that most people are pursuing, and you did. You needed that time of healing. But then now you've you listened, you were listening for God. I wonder sometimes if God is speaking to us, but we're just not listening. Because we don't really want to. So I want it to, obviously, it was a family decision, but I want it to tell you that I think it's awesome what you're doing. Because it doesn't make sense. Because that's who we're called to be. There are so many people who need to hear the gospel. There are so many people who need to be loved like Christ loved his church and his people. And it's gonna take people like the Pattersons who are willing to go outside of that comfort zone. And that doesn't mean they have to move to Montana. That just means they have to be willing to be awkward, they have to be willing to have conversations that are uncomfortable, they have to be willing to serve, they have to be willing to go, whatever it may be. But they just have to listen. And God will tell them exactly where they're supposed to go. So I think this is awesome. And I'm like so many others, it is not surprising. It is who you guys are, and I'm grateful for you. But if you were talking to someone who they hear the Lord, but they're choosing to tune him out. What would you say to them?

SPEAKER_00 16:40

For me, when I first a couple months ago found out about this whole thing, I was choosing to tune it out, but it felt different. There is a feeling that you just know, like the Lord will let you know, and that was he was trying to let me know, I just wasn't listening. I was like, no, I want you to stay, like, I want to be comfortable. I was really like content with where I was at in my life, and I was like, things are about to change, why do I need more change? And so that was like I was struggling with. But as soon as I went and saw and put myself out there, I was so nervous, like on the way over there, I was like, this is gonna be so awkward, like, what am I gonna do? But as soon as we got there, it was like peace. It was like like it was like a family I never knew, but they loved me so much. That's so great. And so, and it wouldn't have been like I needed someone to help me realize that. Obviously, God helped me, but he put people in my way to help me realize that I needed to go and see for myself. And so once I saw the potential, I said, why why God am I doubting you?

SPEAKER_01 17:44

That's so good. I I I I wish more people were willing to do that. Just just go. Whether it's on mission, whether it is to serve, whether it's just to give the church a chance. There's so many people who have who have had bad experiences in the church, and they've said, I'm never doing that again. And they're they're they're miserable or they're they're going through life so like without any type of guidance, and then they they they long for community, they long for the Lord, they long for his word, but because of something that's happened, they've decided that that's how what every experience is going to be like. They've decided that every church, every minister, every Christian is gonna be that way, and that's just not the case. So I I kind of parallel your experience right now with so many people who who are just refusing, refusing to give the Lord a chance because they think they already know what's gonna happen. And I think what you have found and what so many others who have put their yes on the table has found is that what is there is not what they thought was there. So hopefully you guys build relationships quick and we get to we're sending you. Like that's how we look at this. It's not that you guys are leaving, we're sending you to go. So that means that you haven't quite got rid of us yet. So, but um, so in all of this, as we come to a close, what has the Lord taught you in this season that you think somebody else needs to hear?

SPEAKER_00 19:27

It's okay to be uncomfortable. That has definitely been my main thing because again, this whole time we've talked about being comfortable, and when people say, Oh, I'm in a comfortable place, you don't realize you are until something like this comes up. Because like I could go another year and be like, I'm fine, like this is this is good, and then when this happened, I was like, This is not good. So just do things that make you uncomfortable. That sounds crazy, but let God lead you. Stop leading yourself. You can't hold the leash for yourself, you gotta let God do that. So that's something that I would just recommend. Like, let him plan your path. He's done it his your whole life. He's he's done what he wants for your life and what's good and what's glorifying him through you. So why why are we doubting him now?

SPEAKER_01 20:20

That's awesome. Well, thank you for sitting down. Thank you for putting your yes on the table to go serve your family. We can't help, we can't wait to help and to walk alongside and do all those things. But but I do I think that for the people who are listening, the greatest thing you can take away from this is to allow the Lord to lead you. And don't be afraid to be uncomfortable. So, thank you guys for listening today. Uh, we pray that this encourages you and it maybe pushes you along to seek out what the Lord has for your life. Thank you guys.