In our fast-paced world of instant gratification, the long, patient journey of mission work stands in stark contrast. This was beautifully illustrated in our recent podcast conversation with Bill McLeod, a veteran mission mobilizer whose story spans decades of faithful service.
Bill’s journey began when he came to Christ just before starting college during the Jesus Revolution. His path took unexpected turns after Bible college and seminary – from working with Luis Palau’s evangelistic crusades to directing Promise Keepers events in the Northwest. But the pivotal moment came when he faced a choice between expanding his role with Promise Keepers or accepting a position as missions pastor at his local church. Through prayer and fasting, God gave Bill a vision that would take 16 years to fully realize.
This pattern of divine timing runs counter to our cultural expectations. As Bill explained, it took eight years from receiving his vision to launching Mission Connection Northwest, and another eight years before he could pursue it full-time. In our Amazon Prime world, where we expect next-day delivery on everything, including our ministry dreams, Bill’s story reminds us that God often works in “crockpot time” rather than “microwave time.”
One of the most powerful frameworks Bill shared was what he calls the “three buckets” or three Cs of discipleship: the Great Commandment (to love God with all our heart), the Great Commission (to go and make disciples), and the Great Commitment (dying to self as Jesus taught). This third element struck a particular chord with the Perspectives students present. As Jesus taught, unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone – but if it dies, it produces much fruit. This challenging principle undergirds authentic mission.
As Jeff Vanderstatt powerfully stated, “The call of Jesus is a call to come and die. The question is, who are you willing to die for?” Your mission field becomes the people for whom you’re willing to sacrifice, invest your life, and suffer if necessary. This runs counter to American Christianity’s tendency to avoid discomfort and suffering. Yet, there’s hardly a story in Scripture where God doesn’t use suffering to draw people into deeper dependence on Him.
The conversation turned to character development through waiting and suffering. Like David – a shepherd with no clear career path to kingship – God develops our character through circumstances we would never choose for ourselves. Whether it’s personal transformation, organizational growth, or national spiritual movements, God’s timeline rarely aligns with our expectations. Even William Carey’s pioneering work in India 300 years ago hasn’t yet resulted in full evangelization – the country remains home to the largest population of unreached people groups on earth. God’s timeline can span generations.
Bill’s ministry approach reflects this patient, Spirit-led philosophy. Mission Connection events are intentionally free, avoiding the transactional expectations that come with paid conferences. They prioritize prayer not as a formality but out of genuine desperation for divine guidance. As Bill humbly put it, “Jesus is the CEO. The best I can ever be is just sales.” This posture has allowed unexpected developments to flourish organically, with Mission Connection now operating in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
For anyone feeling impatient about fulfilling their calling, Bill’s journey offers profound encouragement. God’s purpose unfolds according to His perfect timing, not our hurried schedules. The question isn’t just what God is calling us to do but who we are becoming in the process.
