A very brief history of Andy and Isaac Ministries
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." Acts 9:3
Like many of you, I don't have a Paul-on-the-Damascus-road story of coming to Christ. Mine is closer to Timothy's. Like Timothy, God placed parents, pastors, and godly people around me that led me to Christ. The light wasn't flashy but it has been constant, convicting, and undeservingly beautiful.
I grew up in a small Methodist Church where my family was active in every aspect of the community of faith. I went through confirmation, accepted Christ, and continued to learn and grow into what that means. Church was a huge unquestioned part of my life. I fell in love with Christ's bride before I fell in love with Christ. Along the way pastors, weekly youth meetings, youth retreats, and Young Life shaped my heart. I felt the tingle of call to pastoral ministry at 13 and at the ripe old age of 16 was given the opportunity to "preach". Through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Holy Spirit threw gas on that flame of faith in my heart. While I was working at churches in the summers, God continued to confirm my call, from college to seminary and from seminary to my first pastorate.
Growing up as a natural ham with a need for attention, I joined a small comedy group as a teen. I was heavily involved in High School theater, but it wasn't until that first church that I really began to try out more creative preaching styles. I have been blessed with patient saints who graciously allowed me to try very different approaches to proclaiming the Good News of Christ. Slowly I began to hone the use of comedy, storytelling, and drama to offer Christ and to help people grow in Christ. There were lots of hits and misses, but a gracious God put encouraging and long-suffering believers in my path. Early in my pastoral ministry I began to get lots of invitations to preach outside my own parish. Pastors I admired began to ask me if I had ever considered becoming an evangelist. I had not, but I began to consider whether Christ was calling me to a traveling ministry. I began to explore that ministry, slowly putting my toe into those waters.
Fast forward 10 years later and I launched Isaac Ministries. The name Isaac means "laughter." Sarah and Abraham laughed at the thought of having a child at their age. If you think about Abraham and Sarah changing Isaac's diapers a few months later you might still laugh. I believe humor can open a guarded heart in a way nothing else can. For 13 years I was a full-time evangelist, and even when I pastored again I have continued to travel and preach as much as I could without neglecting my pastoral responsibilities.
In January of 2022, I relaunched Isaac Ministries with a new board and a more focused purpose… to help Christians and Christian communities discover the joy of knowing and living for Jesus. I've been able to lead thousands to Christ, been a part of incredible youth events, taught in colleges and seminaries, done stand-up concerts, witnessed miracles of Churches coming alive, and helped faith communities from all kinds of traditions rediscover a passion to reach young adults. I've had the opportunity to put out resources for ministry and been a part of missions and ministries all over the world.
The team at Isaac Ministries is excited about the future which will include many new ministries, our upcoming video ministries being one I am most excited to see launched this spring. All of this has been made possible by God's provision of encouraging supporters who share financial resources and prayer.
Hold on to your hats because the Holy Spirit is moving and the best is yet to be.
With you serving Him,
Andy