Building your Singles Ministry/Other Authors

I'm Not Done and Neither Are You! by Ken Brockette

My name is Ken; a single, never married, in his 60’s, living in Raleigh, NC, in an independent senior living apartment. This was not where I would have picked to live in my 60s, but God’s path isn’t always ours.
 
In 2006 I moved from Birmingham, Al, to Raleigh, NC, to be closer to my sister and my parents, who lived in Virginia. My parents needed to be moved to an assisted living, and my sister needed my help. That would end up being one of the most challenging years of my life. Before moving to Raleigh, my nephew was killed in an auto accident; a month later, I got laid off from my job, and then my sister and her husband divorced. It was a year that I would draw closer to God than ever.
 
Once I moved to Raleigh, I sought out a church with a singles ministry. I prayed for friendships. Soon I reconnected with an old friend, and we started attending the same church. I was so thankful to God for the many friends I made. I quickly joined the choir and a men’s small group and attended some of the single gatherings. At around the age of 60, I started to develop migraines. I tried all kinds of medicines, but nothing seemed to work. I got laid off from yet another job, and now because I was older, I was having a hard time finding a new job. The stress of trying to find permanent work made the migraines even worse.
 
In December 2020, some of my friends, one of them a doctor, came to visit and tried to help. They looked at my meds and noticed I was struggling to stay warm. They knew something was terribly wrong with me. They quickly called an ambulance. I was in the hospital for the next two months, near death. I had double pneumonia with a high temp of 103. I was also diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. I had forgotten the next two months, but God had not forgotten me.
 
So many of my friends came to visit. One of my friends helped me with my finances, including getting a will done. I didn’t know it then, but I had a long road ahead of me in recovery.
 
I was transferred to a hospital that specialized in the care I needed. I stayed in bed for most of my time there, attached to a machine that monitored me. I could finally eat food again versus being fed through a tube. I also started getting physical therapy. I had to learn to walk all over again. One time when I stood for a whole minute, tears came to my eyes, “Oh, I can stand, Thank you, God!”. It was a miracle. Everyone at the hospital was like a family to me. I even enjoyed a few visits from my sister.
 
Soon after that, I was transferred to another place. It was a rehab center that would help me get out of my wheelchair to a walker to a cane. It was at this rehab center where I could watch my church on Livestream. I had missed my church and ministry. I would get moved again, this time to assisted living. I remember when I had to move my parents here, and I never thought 60 I would have to live here.
 
I adjusted pretty quickly and was thankful the director was a believer in the Lord. On Friday, a visiting pastor would come to teach, and we would sign hymns. I met Jim, a man on fire for Jesus who kept the steps of salvation taped to his door. We also had a Bible study on Wednesday and would sing occasionally.
 
In 2022, I had some more scans done and found out I was cancer free; praise the Lord. I was progressing well with my physical therapy and was now walking independently. So now it was time to leave, and I moved to my present independent senior living apartment one more time. It was scary at first. What if I fall, what if I need help, what if I get migraines again, what if…This is when your trust in the Lord has to be the strongest. It would take some time, but I made some friends. I asked the Lord how I could be salt and light where I live. I ordered a bible study series called “Becoming Older and Wiser” from Amazon and let it be known that I was starting a bible study on Thursday nights. I had never led a bible study before, so I prayed that God would help me. The first night we had 12 show up. We then watched the “Chosen” series, and in January, I hope to focus on a book of the Bible.
 
I still have some tough days physically and continue to go to physical therapy. I am still not able to drive due to neuropathy in my feet. I am thankful to my family and friends who drive me to places. I am thankful to be back at my church and in the men’s group. I even have a part-time job tutoring remotely. I am also thankful for this journey. A journey I wouldn’t have picked but one that has put me in places to tell people about Jesus. God isn’t done with me yet, and neither are you.
 
How about you? Do you find yourself in a tough place? What does God want you to do where you are right now? Pray and ask him!

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
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Kathy and I have had the pleasure of working with Kris of The Single Network Ministries at several events over the past three years. We always look forward to her insight and creative ways to connect with her audience sharing the Word of God with encouragement, humor and just being real. You will want to catch her for sure the next time she is in your area. Her sense of humor is a hoot and infectious.
—Kathy and Klay Watson,  Dating His Way Ministries

Leadership, General

Personal Growth