21 Days of Devos - Day 21
DAY 21 | Pastors and Staff | Yeni Torres
During my time on staff these past few years, I have learned that the real weight of ministry rarely shows up on a Sunday. It appears in the moments most people never witness. I have seen staff rush to a widow’s side on an ordinary weekday when her world suddenly collapsed. I have seen mothers walk into the office in tears, desperate for prayer because their teenager was facing pressures, anxiety, or thoughts they were afraid to confront alone.
I have watched pastors gather around someone in their final moments on earth, praying with a tenderness that comes only from answering God’s call. I have seen staff walk through empty rows before an event, quietly asking God to encounter the person who would sit in each seat. I have seen our team rearrange their entire day to help an elderly couple after a hurricane, clearing fallen trees so they would not face the aftermath alone.
There are late nights after Saturday events when staff stay to clean the building and prepare for Sunday. There are evenings when production teams run sound checks long after everyone has gone home to ensure excellence for the next morning. And every Sunday, before the sun rises, our worship and production teams arrive early, pouring their hearts into preparing for the services ahead. These moments never make announcements or social media posts, yet they reveal the true heart of our leaders. People who say yes to God whether anyone sees it or not.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Paul is not offering a polite suggestion. He is revealing a spiritual truth. Pastors and staff carry a weight most will never see. They steward souls, walk into spiritual battles with families, and lead the church through crisis and celebration. Their calling requires them to stay aligned with God so they can lead others toward Him.
When Paul says they “work hard among you” and “care for you in the Lord,” he is acknowledging the emotional, spiritual, and mental load they carry. And when he speaks of them “admonishing” the church, he is describing loving guidance that protects, strengthens, and redirects people toward God’s best.
As we continue these 21 Days of Prayer, intentionally cover your pastors and staff in prayer. They need God’s strength, clarity, and protection as they faithfully care for others. A simple message, prayer, or word of encouragement can breathe life into someone who pours out so much. When we hold our leaders in love, the whole church becomes stronger.
I have watched pastors gather around someone in their final moments on earth, praying with a tenderness that comes only from answering God’s call. I have seen staff walk through empty rows before an event, quietly asking God to encounter the person who would sit in each seat. I have seen our team rearrange their entire day to help an elderly couple after a hurricane, clearing fallen trees so they would not face the aftermath alone.
There are late nights after Saturday events when staff stay to clean the building and prepare for Sunday. There are evenings when production teams run sound checks long after everyone has gone home to ensure excellence for the next morning. And every Sunday, before the sun rises, our worship and production teams arrive early, pouring their hearts into preparing for the services ahead. These moments never make announcements or social media posts, yet they reveal the true heart of our leaders. People who say yes to God whether anyone sees it or not.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Paul is not offering a polite suggestion. He is revealing a spiritual truth. Pastors and staff carry a weight most will never see. They steward souls, walk into spiritual battles with families, and lead the church through crisis and celebration. Their calling requires them to stay aligned with God so they can lead others toward Him.
When Paul says they “work hard among you” and “care for you in the Lord,” he is acknowledging the emotional, spiritual, and mental load they carry. And when he speaks of them “admonishing” the church, he is describing loving guidance that protects, strengthens, and redirects people toward God’s best.
As we continue these 21 Days of Prayer, intentionally cover your pastors and staff in prayer. They need God’s strength, clarity, and protection as they faithfully care for others. A simple message, prayer, or word of encouragement can breathe life into someone who pours out so much. When we hold our leaders in love, the whole church becomes stronger.
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