Pastor Joe Kobernat

Meeting Pastors has been a great experience for our family. However, seeing a pastor’s work when we knew him before he became a pastor is both humbling & encouraging. We were privileged to spend a few days with Pastor & Mrs. Joe Kobernat of the First Baptist Church of Geneseo, Illinois. We have known their family for many years. In fact, the Kobernat’s were members of Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois prior to accepting the pastorate in October of 1996. Susan had the privilege to learn from Pastor Kobernat when he taught at the Christian school. She, and many others, have often reminisced about his teaching at Berean and his heart for the students. Many young people who are now very successful had the privilege to learn from him.

From the moment I made my Asia ministry public, I have been asked, “Why Asia? Why would you choose to live and minister in an area of the world that is still developing?” To answer this question more articulately, please read on and allow me to acknowledge why I believe Asia is not only the place where the moving and stirring of God is happening, but why strategically, now is the time, and Southeast Asia is the place.

This is a pretty simple quandary. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Should an organization hire someone to help with responsibilities or wait til the responsibilities are too large then hire him? I have seen this mistake happen in many organizations, specifically, churches. A pastor will be the song director, youth director, janitor, etc… He will wait for growth and then hire. Although, not a bad idea, I would dare say, not the best idea. There is not enough vision and growth in this particular planning.

Here is something that I have noticed in explosive church work–there is always someone leading with great passion. A worship service must have a passionate worship leader. A great student ministry must have a passionate leader. A great Sunday school group must have a passionate leader. So the question is then, “How do I find this great passionate leader?” That will solve all the problems right? Sure, but you must be willing to spend resources. You have heard the old cliche, “You’ve got to spend money to make money.” This is true, but it does not exactly mean that you have to spend literal dollars. Notice I said resources. Be willing to spend the resource of investing your time to train someone. Be willing to share your vision and allow someone to grasp it. This is called delegation. Every great leader of yesteryear and today has learned this principle.