Youth Pastor Finds Fasting Good Study Discipline

SANTA ROSA, CA (September 29, 2003) - Editor's note: This is the fifth in a six-part series exploring Redwood Covenant's experience in spiritual transformation. To read the first four parts in the series, visit the links displayed at the end of this story.

Angie Tate had been working on staff at Redwood Covenant Church for four years in youth ministry, having volunteered with youth since 1990 at the church while working full-time as a social worker. When she heard associate pastor Scott Peterson's word from God at a staff meeting, she began to fast and pray . . . and fast and pray . . . and fast and pray . . . for a month.

Tate fasted by drinking liquids of all types, but not eating. Two weeks into the fasting, Tate was challenged to drink only water and she did so. "After two weeks, I was frustrated that I didn't have an answer. I had some really good Bible study times, but I was still wondering why I was still fasting and when I could be done."

After changing her diet to drinking only water, Tate's energy level dropped greatly. "I was dragging for two weeks," she said. Tate talked to senior pastor John Strong about her physical problems with fasting and Strong suggested that she alert youth volunteers of her fast so they could support her. On day 30 of her fast, Tate told her parents what she was doing and they came to support her one Sunday. The next day, Peterson invited Tate to dinner, served Tate communion and told her that she had done well in her fast and that this period was the beginning of a special work in her life.

"I don't know where it's going, but God has continued to urge me to study on fasting and finding out things on fasting," said Tate. "I think it is so others will know how and when to do it in a godly manner. But I've been praying in a different way and listening for God's voice in a different way. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, but Scott thinks he knows because part of what He gave Scott (in the first message) was that many would be called to fast and pray."

Since her one-month fast, Tate has become more interested in the persecuted church. A high school student has also gotten interested, raising more than $600 for Sudan. Whatever the future holds, Tate is glad she was faithful during her fasting period and ready for what God puts in front of her down the road. "While I might struggle at times with figuring things out, once I hear from God, I can follow that. Once I know, I don't fight Him on it . . . I might tell Him how I think about it, but I'll go."

Tomorrow: The church responds. To read the first five parts of this series, visit the following links:

• Message from God
• The Messenger