By John Herring • Former BMAA Church Planter/Pastor • Refuge Church
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in almost 25 years of church planting, it’s this: God is always at work — sometimes in ways that don’t make sense at first, but always for His glory and our good. That truth has carried us from the living room of a dream to the final service of a faithful church. Isaiah 55:8 (ESV) states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” I’ve discovered that God is faithful at all times, even when I don’t fully understand His thoughts or His ways.
With a full heart, I share that after 13 years, Refuge Church in Nixa, Mo., has closed its doors. Not in defeat — but in faith, trusting that the same God who led us to plant Refuge has now led us to release it. We give God all the glory. Refuge Church was His idea, His work and its legacy is His to multiply.
Over the years, I have seen God do things that could only have been accomplished through Him. It has been a journey of faith, one that has not only strengthened my own faith but also that of my family and those closest to us. Every stage of the journey has required a deep faith in God to do what only He can do. Releasing it back to God is no different.
I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside other church planters as they’ve navigated the same path I am currently on. My heart would often break for them and their churches when they reached a point of decision, seeking God’s wisdom on whether to draw to a close or continue the journey. I can now see that God even gives grace and support for the end.
The heart of Refuge has always been guided by a desire to honor God at every step. As the church sought God through prayer and fasting, He used His Spirit, His Word, His people and circumstances to direct our steps toward this decision. Through God’s guidance, the church determined that this was His timing and His plan. As we each transition into what God has next, it is with deep gratitude and reflection on the journey that brought us here.
From the beginning, Refuge existed to be a safe place for the hurting, a home for the searching and a light in dark places. And by God’s grace, that vision became a reality. We’ve seen the lost come to Jesus, the broken made whole and the lonely brought into family. Each of these moments wasn’t just a success story — it was a miracle, evidence that God was present and working. Many who had given up on church and God were able to discover a fresh faith and a new excitement for both God and His church.
We’ve seen God write and even rewrite many different stories in the lives of individuals and families throughout our time spent serving in Nixa. Many families have expressed similar statements of, “If it weren’t for Refuge, our family would not be in church, and we would not know about the love of Jesus Christ.”
Several who have been involved in the ministry of Refuge over the years came with no church history or limited church experience in their lives. God used the faithfulness of those at Refuge to meet them where they were, and help them to know Christ and follow Him. One testimony of how God worked is demonstrated in the life of a young lady who stated, “I would have never thought I’d be in church, but I love being a part and look forward to being there.” She was saved and baptized through the ministry of Refuge Church.
Another family stated, “Refuge became family because we were no longer outsiders but had found a place to belong.” God used the ministry of Refuge Church to impact hundreds of lives throughout the Nixa community and beyond. That impact included over 60 professions of faith, as many learned to serve God through the church, while others developed a heart for people and the gospel. Families were strengthened, hope in Christ was restored, healing was experienced and God was glorified.
None of this would have been possible without the steadfast support, prayers and encouragement of individuals, churches and associations who believed in the mission from the very beginning.
We extend heartfelt thanks to the individual supporters — family members, friends and generous givers — who stood beside us when we had little more than a dream and a calling. Your faithfulness laid the foundation for lives to be changed.
To the partner churches who provided not just financial assistance but also sent teams, leaders and provided wisdom — thank you. Your sacrifice and generosity have had a profound impact on the kingdom of God in tangible ways. You invested in something beyond your own walls, and countless lives were touched for eternity as a result.
We are especially grateful to the local, state and national associations that offered support, training, coaching, prayer and encouragement, especially during those crucial early years. Your belief in our church gave us the confidence to move forward, even in seasons of uncertainty and times of difficulty.
Ultimately, we are grateful to our God who supported us, sustained us, shaped us and used us for His will and His glory. I join with Paul in saying that I am “confident of this, that he who began a good work… will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6 NIV). To God be the glory for all He has done.
Though our gatherings have ended, the gospel seeds planted here continue to bear fruit. Families have been strengthened, the gospel was preached, many trusted Jesus as their Savior, baptisms were celebrated and the hurting found healing. These are eternal things that continue as a testimony to the impact of Refuge Church. Many families have already begun to connect with other local churches to continue making a difference in the community. Those who have not are determined to do so in the near future.
Refuge may not have a name on a sign anymore, but its impact is written on hearts — every soul that was saved, every life that was changed and every prayer whispered over hurting souls.
As we transition, we carry with us the stories, friendships and spiritual legacy Refuge Church created. The ministry continues through the lives that were impacted over the years. The legacy lives on in the hundreds of people who were touched through Refuge.
We ask that you continue to pray for the former members, leaders and volunteers as they find new church homes and continue to serve the Lord as He leads them. He isn’t finished. We know He still has a plan, and we are each excited to be a part of the continued journey. May God take what began through the ministry of Refuge and multiply it in ways we can’t yet see or understand in this moment. We trust that God is not finished — He’s just guiding us into new places, with new people.
