Fifty years ago I made the decision as a teenager to preach the Gospel of Christ. Although there have been various opportunities, interests and even the need on occasion to “make tents,” I’ve never wavered from my primary passion.
The commitment to preach has taken Norma Jean and me to many cities and states throughout the years–from Maine to California. And even a mission trip to Kazakstan. We have lived and engaged in located work in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and now Missouri. I have tried to approach what I might do and where I would live based on the exhortation in James 4:13-17.
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Yet, even in view of that passage, I felt when we moved to Kansas City four years ago, this might well be my last full time, located preaching work. But it seems the Lord has other plans!
Recently I was approached by the Shepherds of the West Main Street church of Christ in Lewisville, Texas, about moving to work with them. Initially, I declined. I stated several reasons why I was not ready or wanting to make another move. However, they kindly and loving persisted to share spiritual reasons why I should come and join their church Family. So over the course of several weeks of conversations, emails, conference calls and finally a visit to North Texas, Norma Jean and I have decided to accept their invitation to move to Lewisville and work with the West Main Street brethren.
This decision has been preceded by constant prayer, serious thought, and the counsel of close friends whose advice I value. Yesterday I wrote a few thoughts about providence–God’s role and working in the world today. While we cannot know for certain God’s will, apart from His Divine Revelation, it has seemed the recent events have pointed us in a direction that we never anticipated.
It reminds me of Paul going to Macedonia in Acts 16 when he had intentions of preaching other places. Of course, there was a direct intervention of the Holy Spirit in that case. I claim no such vision or revelation. Yet, I’m reminded again that we should always make our decisions with the caveat, “if the Lord wills.”
Leaving the Hickman Mills church and Kansas City is not easy. We have grown to love the brethren here and this wonderful area in which we find ourselves very comfortable. I am grateful for the encouragement given to me by the Hickman Shepherds and the good brethren here over these four years. And I appreciate their kindness, understanding and support of this recent decision. They have been very gracious.
So, a new chapter of our lives will soon begin. Our intention is to be in Lewisville (25 miles North of Dallas) to start working by June 1st. The West Main Shepherds, Deacons, with their wives and all brethren have already touched our hearts with their outpouring of love, concern and a fervent desire for us to join them.
ThePreachersWord will continue when we move to North Texas. Hopefully, without interruption.
We solicit your prayers during this major change in our lives. May God be glorified we as embrace new opportunities, make new friends, and share the Gospel in a new venue.
Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Blessings and prayers to you in your transition! Enjoy the preachers word!
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My very Best to you & Norma as you continue to work in His Kingdom.
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Best to you, Ken and Norma. Though we’ve not seen a lot of each other in your time in the KC area, have been able to be aware through you’re blog and our occasional “path crossings” (such as at gospel meetings, etc.). May the very best of God’s blessings accompany your faithful efforts. Perhaps we shall cross paths at least another time or two ere June 1st arrives.
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Wish you well in your new endeavors.
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Well, a great big preliminary welcome to Texas! We are about 45 minutes SE of Dallas in Kemp, which will put us a little over an hour apart. I know you and Norma will do your best and bless the group there just as you have everywhere else.
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Thanks, Aleta. Hope to see you when we get moved.
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Bro. Ken: May the Lord bless you & Norma Jean, as you make this move…God’s speed! I truly enjoy reading your blog, and am very happy that you intend to keep it going, even as you move! 🙂 Have a JOYOUS day! Julie
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Thanks you, Julie
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pack up that church pew in your home, and move to Texas with God at your back. I truly see your life and Norma’s mapped out by God — you are touching so many in so many ways. All of us who have experienced your love and support, will never be the same again. New folks await — how lucky they are. My heat aches for your congregation. I truly know how they feel.
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Thanks, Pat. I appreciate your kind words.
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Wishing you and Norma many blessings in your travels. Hope you will enjoy Texas also!
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Welcome To Texas y’all. Come see us sometime or we’ll come see you. Btw, we’re on the way to Lafayette (if don’t mind a small side trip).
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Hey Mike, hope to see you in The Lone Star state!
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Sorry to hear that you are moving as this area will miss a great preacher and worker for the Lord. You touched our daughter’s heart and Son in law in Tennessee and I am certain you will touch many, many more. Jim and
Renee Gerteis
s
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Thanks, Jim. We will miss seeing you all. Come to Texas and see us.
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Good luck and safe travels Ken. Hope our paths will cross again soon:)
P.S. Are you and Mark following each other? Haha.
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We welcome you both to north Texas!
Tim Torno
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Thanks for everything, Tim. Looking forward to getting down there.
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My dear brother, I have yet to hear of a place, where you and Norma have worked in the Lord’s vinyard, that wasn’t the better for you having been there. Donna and I came to the Lord through the teaching of you and Norma nearly forty years ago! Praise our God, can you believe it? I pray He will continue to bless your efforts in His behalf, no matter where that takes you both! Texas! You will be about forty or sop miles from where I grew up…
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My dear brother, I have yet to hear of a place, where you and Norma have worked in the Lord’s vinyard, that wasn’t the better for you having been there. Donna and I came to the Lord through the teaching of you and Norma nearly forty years ago! Praise our God, can you believe it? I pray He will continue to bless your efforts in His behalf, no matter where that takes you both! Texas! You will be about forty or so miles from where I grew up…
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Great memories, Bill. For sure. Maybe you can get back “home” and see us.
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Yea – you will be closer to OKC there. Also both our kids live in TX and you are about 45 min. from our kids. So maybe we will get to see you more often. After you get moved maybe we can timeshare again and this time I will be your partner in cards(know you will look forward to that)HAHA. Best wishes on your new move from both Cal and I.
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Sounds good, Billie. Look forward to seeing you.
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Ken, I wish the very best for you in your move to Texas. I know that Hickman Mills loss will be Lewisville’s gain. I know that decisions like this one can be very hard, but sometimes necessary. May the Lord bless you and Norma.
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Thanks, David. I appreciate that. God bless.
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My brother and sister go in peace , The Lord as already taken the land for you.He will be with you, the anointing of The Lord in you will never dry and surely His goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.
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Thanks. I appreciate you reading TPW and taking the time to comment on a regular basis. I appreciate your kind and encouragaing words.
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Reblogged this on ThePreachersWord and commented:
Our move this year from Kansas City to Texas was big news. At least for us. And our readers. This post, which explains the motivation behind the move, was the 5th most read in 2016. I also link an important post on Providence that you would enjoy reading.
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Ken and Norma much success is wished for u and possibly knowing you as I do will lead me to success in 2017! Love and Happy New Year! Pam
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