The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Do you feel isolated and need some good friends in your life? I’ve been there and it wasn’t too long ago that I was praying that God would connect me with some brothers in Christ.
These last two years He has surrounded me with some amazing people. The devil likes to isolate us and make us feel all alone and that we’re the only ones going through hard times.
In 2023 God laid on my heart to start waking up earlier to spend more time with Him. He had set me free from many things over the years, but I was still struggling with internal stress and worry.
I knew if i stayed in that vicious cycle, it would cause bigger problems down the road. God used my wife and her two boys to inspire me to get closer to God. I knew we’d be getting married soon and that helped me surrender and ask God to make more changes.
I spent many nights not being able to sleep, waking up and thinking negatively and about all the what ifs, not being able to eat and everything else that goes with that.
That winter after spending more time with God, reading His word and letting Him help me. He told me to start sharing daily messages of hope and what He had done in my life.
In the beginning I thought it was to help me stay disciplined, work on my mental health and maybe help a few people through His words. I wasn’t sure how I could even come up with one message, let alone every single day. I have to ask God for the words to say and He’s kept it going ever since.
Back to 2017 God told me to start a farm operation so He could use it as a platform to spread the gospel and help people. I knew absolutely nothing about farming or telling people about Jesus.
That’s where God comes in and does the work for us. He speaks through us and guides every step. The good news is we don’t have to figure it out, surrender and let the Holy Spirit guide you every step of the way.
The first few years of farming He was working on my relationship with Him, chiseling things out of my life that were bringing me down, refining me and growing the operation. Heading into 2025, God told me to step away from the farm.
Only come back for planting and harvest. Me and my wife lives 3 hours south of the farm and I felt very strongly to listen to Him and let Him lead the way. I wasn’t sure why, but I knew He had a greater plan.
I wasn’t sure what I would do with all of my free time. I’d always stayed extremely busy on the farm every day. Mostly to drown out the stress. I’d find things to do and never got bored.
Shortly after God had laid on my heart to give the operation to Him and spend more time with Him and my family, focus on friendships and fellowship. He began to open doors I never saw coming.
I began going to a men’s group every Wednesday that was two hours away near Champaign, Illinois. I was invited by a few farmers I’d met through social media.
It was life changing and the Holy Spirit showed up every week. Gods blessed me with some amazing friendships there.
Over the last two years farmers and other people began reaching out through Facebook. There was no other explanation besides God. All for a much greater purpose.
He’s blessed me with some amazing friends that don’t live anywhere close, but we’re able to meet up for lunch occasionally, at farm shows or events and talk often, sometimes daily.
Two weekends ago I was able to go out to Sedalia, Missouri for an event that TurnRow ministry was doing. Cliff Carter from Arkansas is someone that God had connected me with through Facebook quite a few years ago.
God used Him to inspire me of the years to be bold for Christ and share the good news on social media. God opened the door to meet him Saturday night there.
They go around sharing the gospel at farmers shops and other places. They’re always looking for new places to go and all they need is a building with electricity.
Jason Sawford lives out there near Sedalia and helped set it up. We’ve become really good friends this past year. All of us are farmers with a love for Christ and with the same mission to glorify God and let God work through us to point people to Christ.
He truly has a greater purpose behind everything. Gods timing was perfect for this event too, after getting the news about my wife’s cancer diagnosis two days before.
The Holy Spirit moved in mighty ways through great worship, messages and testimony Saturday night. My eyes watered most of the evening.
They gifted me and my wife a giant pink ribbon that lights up. It’s a night I’ll never forget. Jesus was glorified in every detail.
God also told me last harvest that I may be speaking in public like Angus Buchan does in 2025. God used Him to inspire me to start this operation and be bold for Christ. I always pray that God will open doors to share the gospel and that He will guide every decision.
Saturday night during the service, the Holy Spirit moved and I was invited up on stage to share my testimony. It wasn’t planned, it was all the Holy Spirit.
As I walked up on stage I asked God to speak through me and give me the words to say. I hadn’t thought about my whole testimony for a very long time. He gave me so much peace and reminded me how much He loves us in that moment.
I’m learning that when we make ourselves available, God will always make Himself visible. It had nothing to do about me, it’s all to glorify God and further His kingdom. Romans 1:16 says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”
I’ll never be able to thank God enough for the people He’s placed in my life. Iron sharpens iron and if you don’t have that in your life yet. Start asking God to open those doors.
God told me last fall to be prepared to go wherever He sends me. A majority of this year He has connected me with a lot of farmers and I believe the focus will remain there until He calls me elsewhere.
We weren’t meant to walk this road all alone, God is always there, but it’s so important have good friends you can talk to and help us on this journey.
If you find yourself feeling isolated, overwhelmed or unsure of where God is leading you, know that He sees you, He knows your name and He has a purpose for your life.
I’m living proof that when you surrender your plans, your worries and your time to Him, He will guide your steps in ways you could have never imagined.
There was a time in my life, I didn’t think I’d live to see my 21st Birthday. Struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, low self esteem and many other issues.
I was ready to end it all and get rid of the pain I was feeling. If you’re in that place right now, please don’t ever give up. God has a plan and purpose for your life too.
Keep seeking Him, cry out to Him, keep asking Him to place the right people around you and keep trusting that every chapter, even the hard ones is preparing you for something greater.
He will use everything for the good and a greater purpose. If He can redeem my story, He can redeem yours.
If He can pull me out of darkness, He can do that for anyone. God is faithful and He will finish the good work He started in you!