Sometimes the biggest opportunities in life come from the most casual conversations.
The Casual Mention
I was working at the Missouri Baptist Convention when my boss, Chris Brizendine, casually mentioned something in passing. You know how those conversations go—not a formal meeting, not a big announcement, just a casual mention during the workday.
"Hey, Tricia from Sports Crusaders is looking for someone to start an esports ministry."
That's it. That's all he said. But something clicked in my mind immediately. Esports? Ministry? Those were two worlds I lived in—gaming and faith. I'd been a gamer for years. I understood the culture, the community, the potential. And I was passionate about ministry and reaching people with the Gospel.
The wheels started turning. This wasn't just an opportunity. This felt like a calling.
The First Encounter
Fast forward to 2020. The Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting was in full swing. If you've ever been to an annual meeting, you know it's organized chaos—hundreds of people, dozens of conversations, networking, workshops, worship, business sessions. It's a lot.
And in the middle of all that chaos, I saw her. Tricia. The woman who was looking for someone to run esports.
I didn't hesitate. I walked right up to her.
"I hear you're looking for someone to run esports."
She looked at me, probably a little surprised by the direct approach.
"I'm your guy."
That was it. Bold. Confident. Maybe a little presumptuous. But I meant it.
Of course, annual meeting being annual meeting, we didn't get much more into the conversation. There were sessions to attend, people to meet, business to handle. We exchanged pleasantries and moved on. But I knew I'd planted a seed.
The Second Encounter
The next time I saw Tricia, I was helping set up the conference room for Sports Crusaders. Tables, chairs, audio equipment—the usual event setup. I was happy to serve wherever needed.
And there she was again.
I looked at her, smiled, and said it again:
"I'm your guy."
If she thought I was persistent before, now she knew I was serious. This wasn't just a casual interest. I wasn't just making conversation at an annual meeting. I genuinely believed God was calling me to this.
The Prayer
Here's what I didn't know at the time.
Tricia had been praying about starting an esports ministry. She saw the potential. She understood that gaming was where young people were spending their time, where communities were being built, where conversations were happening. She knew esports could be a powerful tool for ministry.
But she also knew her limitations.
So she prayed with one condition: God, send me someone to run it, because heaven knows I wouldn't be able to.
She didn't want to force it. She didn't want to launch something she couldn't sustain. She wanted God to send the right person—someone who understood gaming, who had the passion, who could build something lasting.
And then I walked up to her twice and said, "I'm your guy."
Divine Appointments
Looking back, I can see God's hand in every step of this story.
A casual mention from my boss. A divine appointment at an annual meeting. A second encounter while setting up chairs. And behind it all, a woman praying for God to send someone.
I didn't know Tricia was praying. She didn't know I was the answer to her prayer. But God knew. And He orchestrated the whole thing. Today, I use tools like Claude.ai to help build ministry technology—understanding AI limitations and using effective prompting to create tools that serve the ministry God called me to.
That's how God works. He uses casual conversations. He uses bold declarations. He uses conference room setups. He uses prayers and persistence. And somehow, in the middle of all the chaos and noise of life, He brings the right people together at exactly the right time.
The Lesson
If you're waiting for God to open doors, be ready to walk through them boldly. Don't assume someone else will step up. Don't wait for the perfect moment. When you feel that nudge, when you see that opportunity, when you know in your gut that this is where God is calling you—be bold enough to say, "I'm your guy." If you're looking for a church community that supports this kind of faith-driven calling, check out Jefferson City's vibrant faith community.
And if you're praying for God to send someone, be ready to recognize them when they show up. Sometimes the answer to your prayer walks right up to you and introduces themselves. Twice.
God orchestrates divine appointments every single day. Our job is to pay attention, be bold, and trust that He's working behind the scenes in ways we can't even see.
Because sometimes, the biggest opportunities in life really do come from the most casual conversations.
And sometimes, all you need to say is: "I'm your guy."
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