Some testimonies of pastors and their wives who have been impacted by the ministry of the Tuscaloosa Pastors Network:
"I was 3 years into serving as a pastor in town. I kind of knew two other pastors in Tuscaloosa, but not really. I was busy carrying out my church responsibilities, to which I was joyfully committed. However, I was isolated from the people who could best understand the struggles and challenges that come with pastoring a church. Those leading TPN relentlessly pursued me. I went on a prayer summit with 30-plus other pastors. From that time on, I have had scores of other pastors with whom I am in community. With some of them I have become very close in fellowship, encouragement and accountability - where no topic is off the table. I
can’t imagine going back to my self-imposed isolation. In fact, I am not sure I would have made it in pastoral ministry without these close pastor friends."
“I was at an all-time low spiritually as a pastor who has pastored for 25 years. With COVID 19, deaths, membership at an all-time low, the mental health issues, and the uncertainty of it all is a tremendous challenge for any leader. However, after attending the Tuscaloosa Pastors Network Prayer Summit, I have never felt more spiritually healthy and committed to the work of the Lord after fellow brother pastors prayed a restorative prayer over my life! Thank God for TPN.”
“…being there was better than we could have imagined. We were truly blessed. The fellowship with pastors and their wives was instructive, encouraging, and often just plain fun. The time for us was invaluable for us and our ministry. We went home with new fervor.”
"The retreat was awesome! Amazing! It was refreshing! And it was so needed! As a pastor’s wife… to have this intimate time to be with women that I could be vulnerable and transparent with, women that understand my plight as a woman, a mother, a wife, and then a pastor’s wife, was truly an answer to a prayer … to have other pastors and their wives converse as a group about issues of struggles, weariness, loneliness, and yes, fears was something we've never had the opportunity to experience but now we see how much we needed it as we found ourselves praying, crying together, and emptying out as we shared our lives with each other."
I sat quietly, just listening to a fellow pastor tell me his story. This was his
first church out of seminary, and he felt underwater and overwhelmed. It
turns out the 50-year-old church he had been called to came with 50 years
of unresolved problems. This pastor felt alone and ready to quit. There was no mystical moment that day at the coffee house. But he did walk away feeling heard and no longer alone. He had a brother in arms.
This is the work of TPN. It's not sexy or easy. Even worse, there aren't clear metrics to see if "it" is working. By "it" I mean connecting pastors to community, accountability, friendship, and resources to go the distance. To cross the finish line. To make sure they don't tank their marriage, church, or their whole life.
This was TPN for me in the early days of ministry .. I was new to the city,
new church, lots of ego, and no one with the holy battle scars to point me in the right direction . . . until TPN connected me to other pastors. I'm still in ministry, still married, and still hopeful for the church because of TPN.