Our Story…
Everyone likes a good story. Scripture is the story of stories – creation, fall, redemption, restoration; God pursuing His people. What is our story? How did God weave the Howard’s and the Games stories together? The Howard’s were in St. Louis for seminary while the Games’ were in Jackson, Ms. There paths converged when they were both called to Murfreesboro, TN. in 1999. Brian became the associate pastor at the local church and Fritz was the RUF campus minister at MTSU. They shared the trenches of ordination exams as well as the green, wet behind the collar years of ministry. Brian introduced Fritz to Steak and Shake and somehow they passed their exams.
After a couple years the senior pastor left and Brian and Fritz were asked to preach and teach until a new minister was found. It was during those nervous, anxious and needy times that their relationship began to cement. Neither knew what they were doing and they prayed alot! From that point on their friendship thickened as did their wives friendship. They wondered if they could minister in the future together, possibly planting a church across town. Brian’s heart was with Church Planting and when the door closed to do something in Murfreesboro, the Lord began opening another in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The church planting committee of the Nashville Presbytery (our governing body) had always wanted to see a church plant in Bowling Green but after one failed attempt they were cautious. The campus committee that oversees RUF’s in the area also wanted to begin an RUF at Western Kentucky. Both committees (separately) began to think and pray about two people going together. One person actually said, “Why don’t we send two friends, like Brian and Fritz?”
After being approached about it they began to pray and talk about the idea. Many advised it as a very good and biblical idea (two by two). The Lord continued to open doors and hasn’t closed them yet! Both Brian and Fritz know that they could be fired any day, but are glad to have their jobs and their names written in His hands. Each day is a front row seat as the story continues to grow.