What would you do if your church suddenly lost a big donation after buying a huge building?
That’s exactly what happened to Pastor Josh of Wake Church in Conroe, Texas.
In 2020, Wake Church bought an old Kroger grocery store. It was big enough for a sanctuary, kids’ areas, and community outreach.
The seller agreed to finance the deal, and a generous donor pledged to fund renovations. Then it all fell apart.
The donor’s business deal collapsed—and the promised money disappeared.
Now, the church owned a 40,000-square-foot building… but couldn’t afford to renovate it. And they were still paying rent to hold services elsewhere.
That’s when Pastor Josh picked up the phone and started calling banks.
One bank said no. Then five. Then twenty.
The reasons were always the same: too risky. Too religious. Too complicated.
By the time he hit bank number 50, doubt crept in. Maybe it was time to walk away. But he didn’t.
He kept calling. 50 turned to 75. 75 turned to 100. And finally—one small bank said, “Maybe.”
That “maybe” became a meeting.
That meeting became a loan.
And construction began.
In December 2023, Wake Church moved into its new home. At the time, it averaged about 350 people in weekly attendance.
By Easter 2024, more than 1,300 people will have entered the former grocery store, now a house of worship.
The Lesson?
Rejection isn’t failure—it’s often part of the process.
Great leaders aren’t the most connected or most talented. They’re the ones who can endure pain the longest.
I don’t know what door you’re standing in front of today—but if God called you to it, don’t walk away.
Knock again. Pray again. Ask again.
Sometimes, the miracle isn’t the first door that opens. It’s your choice to keep knocking, even when all the doors stay closed.
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