Pastor Denise Lanno-Noppert was determined to have a debt-free church building. With only $20,000 in the bank, the $500,000 target seemed impossible to her bankers. But Denise didn’t budge. She had faith that God would show her what to do so that she wouldn’t need a loan.
Denise and her husband, Shawn, began applying faith principles they had learned from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. Through consistency and perseverance, as they trusted the Lord to guide them and their congregation, they successfully achieved debt-free ownership of their building.
This feat was so impressive to their local banker that he asked Denise to lead a bank seminar explaining how she did it.
“They wanted to know how our small congregation was able to do what we did to have a debt-free church,” recalled Denise. “I simply listened to the Holy Spirit. That’s the story.”
Shawn and Denise heard Kenneth and Gloria Copeland talk about a debt-free lifestyle. They kept seeking the Lord for counsel, and He was faithful to guide them at every step. “The results were mind-boggling to people around us who didn’t know God,” said Denise.
The Key to Her Debt-Free Success
Through her experience, Denise believes that intimacy with the Lord is the key to success. “When we spend time with Him and learn how to discern His voice, we have that true intimacy,” she said.
Lanno-Noppert has gleaned much from the Copelands’ ministry on that topic. “I knew that Brother Copeland had intimacy with the Lord, because you can’t teach faith if you don’t have true intimacy with God, and if you don’t have the love of God operating in your life,” said Denise.
As she listened to the Copelands teach, it opened an entire world of scriptures to her. Through studying her Bible, she gained revelation regarding covenant partnership and the power found in the blood of Jesus.
“I want people to know it’s Jesus we’re working for together in ministry,” said Denise. “Because we’re serving Him, there’s support, there’s love, and there are results. God always gives the results when we put our trust in Him.”
For Shawn, Denise and their congregation at Living Water Tabernacle, those God-results came in the form of a debt-free building for their church to call home.
Their story serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness. No matter how daunting something may seem, nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
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