About the Founders of Today’s Promise

Pat & Nancy Dittert have been involved with Rest Ministries as part of our devotional program. Each morning Pat would send out a “Today’s Promise” as we sent out our daily devotional. Since moving the devotionals over to the Rest Ministries website, we may not be sending them out to you personally, but Pat has started his own group over at Yahoo Groups where you can still receive a scripture called “Today’s Promise” each day.

I asked them to share a little bit about themselves & their ministry. Below is my interview with them.

Tell me about your ministry:

Our ministry has been one of compassion & of sharing God’s love to those hurting emotionally & physically. Part of our work has been counseling & helping people to love themselves, to work towards a goal of feeling better about themselves on a daily basis & improving attitude towards the positive.

What chronic illnesses to you live with?

Pat: I live with 4 stints in my heart, & have had 3 knee surgeries, 3 ankle surgeries, testicular cancer surgery & brain tumor surgery.

Nancy: I live with fibromyalgia, neuropathy, Mitro Valve Prolapse, absence seizures & I have an HLA B27 gene that is rare for a woman to have & may be the cause of several of my illnesses.

Why did you feel called to begin this ministry?

We felt because of our disabilities that God could use us to help others who were also hurting. We retired as Senior Church Pastors because of our illnesses after 33 years of Ministry, & God then opened up a new door for us through the internet. God is an awesome God. When He closes a door he will always open a window.

How have you effectively used the Internet as a tool for reaching people who you may have been unable to reach for?

Pat: By having Groups that deal & minister to those who are hurting etc. Also by writing devotionals & articles to encourage & give hope to people in their time of need.

Nancy: My original plan was helping people with fibromyalgia by starting a Christian support group. As time progressed in the last 12 years & my support Group grew, I discovered that God was leading me to work with people with any Illness that dealt with chronic pain.

What you feel that God has revealed to you or your physical suffering?

Pat and Nancy: God has revealed that others as well as Paul the Apostle went through physical limitations but in these we are able to spread God’s Word & help those who are seeking peace & answer their questions as to why am I having to go through this infirmity.

If you can choose the headline for tomorrow’s New York Times that would most encourage people who live chronic illness, what would it be?

Pat and Nancy: There is HOPE for those who are suffering.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

Pat: I enjoy teaching, writing, reading the Word, family time, camping & walking.

Nancy: I love spending time with our gr&children & family, writing poetry & singing. I also enjoying nature & camping when I feel up to it.

Where you feel God is leading your ministry in the next decade?

Pat and Nancy: If Christ hasn’t returned by then I feel God is exp&ing our ministry even more to the point where all can benefit & know of his love.

What is your favorite scripture to lean on during the darkest times?

Pat: “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you & help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right h&.” (Isa. 41:10 NIV)

Nancy: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all underst&ing, will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:6-8 NIV)