At the age of 13, Timothy sensed God's call to gospel ministry. He said, "No." Growing up as a "PK" or "Preacher's Kid," Timothy knew well the cost of ministry, and wanted nothing to do with it. His passion was baseball. With the prospect of a college scholarship, he moved to Elk Grove to pursue his dream. God had different plans.After a season-ending injury, Timothy was demoralized - the inevitable result when God topples an idol, an object of glory in one's life. What gave him purpose and value was suddenly gone. He was devastated.
On the sidelines, Timothy met Tara Miller - a glimmer of light in dark days. During their junior year at Elk Grove High School, they began to date. After graduation, they soon were married on July 24, 1998. The first years were rough to say the least. Timothy attempted to prop up the toppled idol of baseball, this time in the form of softball. His weekly schedule was filled with 4-5 leagues, and eventually, a hard-ball league on the weekends. It was a softball team that attracted him back to a growing church in Elk Grove. God's mercy was still fighting for his attention.
One Friday night, during a time of worship, Timothy was broken over the prior six years of running from God's call on his life. He repented, and immediately began to volunteer in the High School Ministry. What started as a small group leader, turned into the High School Director, and eventually, was commissioned as the High School Pastor. Timothy served in High School Ministry for six years, but it was during this time that God exposed and toppled another idol in his life: religion.
After graduating from a three-year school of ministry, due to various circumstances, Pastor Timothy was again demoralized, devastated and depressed. He was ready to walk away from ministry, church, even God. In January 2005, God's mercy cut sharp in a hard conversation that left him with two choices: leave everything or find Jesus.
After three months of wrestling with God, one early morning, Timothy was "Nebuchadnezzared." He was watching the fourth part of a sermon-series online entitled "History: The Story of God" with Louie Giglio and Andy Stanley. Here is the message of the series:
Creation. Beauty. Perfection. Simplicity. Freedom. Life.
All of these, God freely gave to man, His prized creation, placing him in a perfect world designed to reflect His glory.
Yet, in an instant, all of life was corrupted. The beauty of everything God so beautifully birthed was tainted by creatures who willingly rebelled against their Creator. Suddenly and tragically, life was covered with death, freedom was bound by sin, and beauty was lost. God's glory on earth had seemingly been scarred forever.
Then, when all hope of restoration was lost, history took an altogether unexpected turn. In the midst of death, God came in human form---not to punish or destroy the traitor race, but to weave even the darkest of sins into a tapestry of His glory.
"Weave even the darkest of sins into a tapestry of His glory" -- That is exactly what God did for Timothy. God shined the light of the gospel in his heart, giving him "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Like Nebuchadnezzar, "I raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever" (Daniel 4:34-37).
After his "I got Nebuchadnezzared" moment, everything began to change. Timothy's marriage and ministry had a new spark of life. Timothy was consumed and captivated by the doctrine of Imago Dei, or the truth that we "house mirrored-souls, designed to reflect the glory of God." The vision of Reflect Church (without him even knowing it) had birthed in his heart. Timothy soon transitioned as the High School Pastor to the Pastor of Creative Communications. He birthed Radiance Creative Communications, whose vision was "to raise up teams of creative communicators and innovative thinkers who would create media that reflects Truth, leading people to reflect on Truth." After experiencing transformation in his own marriage, he was burdened for marriages, and began Renew Marriages, to reach out to marriages. After the "I got Nebuchadnezzared" moment, God began to prepare him for planting Reflect Church.
In January 2008, during a three-week period of early morning prayer, the vision of Reflect Church dawned. He journaled the ideas and even designed a logo. Six-months later, he shared with his wife, Tara, his desire to plant a church. She confirmed the call, and on March 20th, 2009, on Timothy's 30th birthday, he shared the vision with a small group of people. On April 4th, 2009, 12 people gathered for Reflect Church's first informational meeting.
Pastor Timothy is still consumed and captivated by the gospel, and it's redemptive power to empower us, by the Holy Spirit, to reflect the glory of God (2 Corinthians 3:18). God has called him to the ministry of Colossians 1:24-29, and he will always proclaim the mystery of the ages, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" because it was the same hope preached to him in his darkest hour.
Pastor Timothy and Tara Stewart enjoy stewarding God's gift of four daughters: Moriah Hannah (7), Amara Glory (6), Kayla Joy (4) and Savannah Hope (2). Each one has a story behind their birth. We'd love to meet you and share their story, our story, and listen to your story; and see how God's story is unfolding in each one.
In Christ Alone,
Timothy J. Stewart
