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Every leader wants to know they’re in the will of God—but how do you discern His timing? In this episode, I sat down with Ryan Neer, Lead Pastor of Gateway Pentecostal Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but before pastoring he spent nearly a decade travelling as a full-time evangelist.
We explored the mindset that every leader needs if they’re going to remain effective in ministry. Ryan shares his remarkable testimony of how God rescued him from a life of brokenness and addiction before leading him into evangelism and eventually pastoral ministry. His story is a powerful reminder that God delights in using ordinary people who are willing to be faithful with what He’s placed in their hands.
From there, our conversation moves into some of the most practical leadership principles I’ve heard in a long time. We discuss why “mantles fall on moving targets,” how to recognise when God is saying both “go” and “stop,” why His “No” may simply be an underdeveloped “Now,” and how correction often becomes the pathway to greater revelation. Ryan also shares a fresh biblical perspective on weakness, showing that God doesn’t merely work in spite of our limitations—He often chooses to work through them. We finish by talking about patience and why God’s preparation is just as important as His promises.
If you’re pursuing God’s calling, wrestling with unanswered prayers, or simply trying to remain faithful in your current season, I believe this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s process and keep moving forward.
10 Key Takeaways
1. God was pursuing you before you ever started pursuing Him.
Your testimony may begin with brokenness, but God’s story always begins with His grace.
2. Mantles fall on moving targets.
God looks for faithful people who are already serving with what they’ve been given.
3. Steward today’s opportunities.
You don’t have to wait for the perfect ministry opportunity. Faithfulness where you are prepares you for where God is taking you.
4. Learn to recognise both God’s “Go” and His “Stop.”
Following God’s will requires sensitivity to every season—not just the exciting ones.
5. God’s “No” may simply be an underdeveloped “Now.”
Delayed answers often become preparation for greater responsibility.
6. Correction is often the doorway to greater revelation.
God uses correction to mature our character long before He expands our influence.
7. Spiritual gifts are given to serve others—not validate ourselves.
True ministry points people toward Christ, not toward the minister.
8. Weakness is not a disqualification.
God frequently develops His greatest strength through the very areas where we feel least capable.
9. Your limitations may become your greatest ministry.
The places where you’ve experienced pain often become the places where God equips you to help others.
10. Patience prepares us for God’s suddenly.
Waiting is never wasted when God is shaping both our character and our motives.
Scriptures Mentioned
Ryan’s Testimony & Calling
- 1 Kings 19:19–21 — Elisha faithfully serving before receiving Elijah’s mantle.
- 2 Kings 2:9–15 — Elijah’s mantle falls to Elisha.
- 2 Timothy 4:5 — “Do the work of an evangelist.”
Discerning God’s Timing & Seasons
- Genesis 22:1–14 — Abraham obeys both God’s “go” and His “stop.”
- Exodus 16:13–21 — Manna was only intended for one day.
- Proverbs 6:6–8 — “Consider the ant.”
- James 1:2–4 — Let patience have its perfect work.
Receiving Correction & Growing in Ministry
- Hebrews 12:5–11 — God’s correction produces the fruit of righteousness.
- Genesis 37:5–11 — Joseph’s dreams and Jacob’s rebuke.
- Genesis 40 — Joseph interprets the dreams of the butler and baker.
- Genesis 41 — Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams.
- Genesis 50:20 — “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
The Fivefold Ministry
- Ephesians 4:11–13 — Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
- 2 Timothy 4:5 — Timothy instructed to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Strength Through Weakness
- 2 Samuel 3:39 — “I am this day weak, though anointed king.”
- Matthew 3:16–17 — The Father’s affirmation of Jesus.
- Matthew 4:1–11 — Jesus tempted in the wilderness.
- Luke 22:31–38 — Peter’s confidence before his denial.
- John 18:10–11 — Peter draws the sword in Gethsemane.
- Judges 3:15–30 — Ehud, the left-handed deliverer.
- Judges 20:16 — The 700 left-handed Benjamites.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 — God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.
- 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 — God chooses the weak things of the world.
- Hebrews 12:1–2 — Run the race with patience.
Final Thought
One of the reasons I started The Hacka Podcast was to bring the kinds of ministry conversations that usually happen around dinner tables or after conferences to a wider audience. This episode with Ryan Neer is exactly that.
Whether you’re leading a church, serving in your local congregation, or simply asking God what He wants to do next in your life, I hope this conversation reminds you that faithfulness matters more than visibility. God isn’t looking for people with perfect résumés—He’s looking for people who are willing to keep moving, keep growing, and keep trusting Him through every season.
Sometimes the greatest ministry mindset isn’t chasing the next opportunity. It’s faithfully serving where you are until God opens the next door.
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