Pastor Begged God to Let Him Quit After 29 Years. God Said NO.

What Does the Bible Say About Enduring Suffering for Your Faith in Christ?

Senior Pastor Kelly Williams of Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has opened up about the spiritual endurance required to maintain faith through seasons of intense suffering.

Williams, who has served at Vanguard Church for 29 years, described 2025 as his most painful pastoral year. In May 2025, he asked God to allow him to resign from ministry. God's answer was a simple and direct "NO."

The pastor credits his earlier book, The Good Pastor (Vide Press, 2022), with preventing him from abandoning his calling despite overwhelming discouragement. The book's central message: "Don't quit, don't fornicate, you will be the only one left and you will be great."

Williams defines patient endurance as "the active, steadfast, and calm perseverance through long term trials, suffering, or waiting without becoming bitter, angry, or giving up." He insists this quality cannot be developed through human strength alone. It requires a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

The furnace of suffering gets so hot sometimes that the enemy's lies seem like truth for a time.

Williams pointed to an incomplete prayer many believers know well: "I can't do this Lord." He says it only becomes complete when amended: "Lord, I can't do this without you."

Drawing heavily from the book of Hebrews, Williams cited Abraham's 25 year wait for God's promise as a model of patient endurance. He also referenced Moses, who "considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt" (Hebrews 11:26).

Colorado Pastor Reveals How Believers Can Endure Suffering Without Losing Faith

Williams urged believers to hold fast to hope without wavering, pointing to Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful."

He emphasized that patient endurance is not perfection. Abraham's mistake with Hagar illustrates that endurance means holding steadfastly to God's promises regardless of personal failure.

The pastor concluded with a powerful reminder that those who remain faithful through suffering will eventually see their persecutors cut off, just as the Israelites witnessed at the Red Sea. "The reward will be worth it. He promises! Keep patiently enduring!" Williams declared.

Jesus gets it! Jesus gets us!

The Crusader's Opinion

Pastor Williams is preaching a message that every Christian alive today desperately needs to hear. We live in an age where the world punishes faith, where standing on biblical truth costs you friendships, careers, and sometimes your safety. The temptation to quit is real. But quitting is exactly what the enemy wants. Every pastor who walks away, every believer who goes silent, every church that waters down the Gospel to avoid persecution is a victory for darkness. Patient endurance is not passive. It is the most aggressive act of defiance a Christian can commit against a world that demands we bow to everything except Christ. Do not grow weary. Do not lose heart. The God who said "NO" to Kelly Williams' resignation is the same God who will sustain you.

Take Action

• Visit Vanguard Church online at www.vanguardchurch.com to access Pastor Kelly Williams' sermons on endurance and faith through suffering.
• Pick up a copy of The Good Pastor by Kelly M. Williams (Vide Press, 2022) and share it with a pastor or ministry leader in your life who may be struggling.
• Reach out to a pastor or ministry leader you know this week. Ask them how they are really doing. Many suffer in silence.
• Donate to www.TheShepherdsShield.org to support persecuted Christians and ministry leaders enduring suffering for their faith around the world.
• Share this article with your church community and small group. Start a conversation about what patient endurance looks like in your own life.