Bloom Where You’re Planted

An update from Deshler, OH

Deshler, Ohio, isn’t one of the nation’s top vacation spots. In fact, unless you’re one of the 2,000 people who live there, chances are good you don’t even know it’s on the map. But Deshler, Ohio, is very much on God’s mind, and he’s used two FEC residency programs and moved a young family across the country to prove it.

For over a year now, Matt Boyers, senior pastor of leadership development at Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon, Ohio, has been praying for someone who would be willing to move to Deshler and begin reaching out to this small, rural community. So when a conversation between Matt Boyers and Jay Nickless, church multiplication pastor at Grace Community Church in Newton, Kansas, turned from “Hey, how’s it going?” to “I think we might have someone who would be a good fit for Deshler,” they both knew God’s hand was at work.

Six months later, Alex and Darla Ruhter have made great strides in building relationships in Deshler, where 85% of the people are unchurched. “The spiritual hunger and need is profound,” says Matt. Already, the Ruhters are seeing amazing progress and open doors. Be sure to look for more updates on this couple’s journey. You can stay up to date on all our initiatives by following our blog at https://fecministries.org/blog/.