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Writer's picturePastor Nathan Harding

To a Land That I Will Show You!

Updated: Oct 26

Every journey has a beginning, but not every journey is guided by miracles, warnings, and divine purpose. As I look back on everything that brought our congregation to the beautiful mountains of southern Arizona, I see a story woven together by God’s hand—a story of protection, faith, and undeniable direction. Several people have asked me to share my testimony, and as I reflect, I realize it's time to do just that. This is a glimpse into that journey, a journey that, in many ways, began with my father.


A Fork in the Road

My dad’s early years were marked by hardship. Raised in an unstable, alcoholic home, he faced challenges few could imagine. His mother worked tirelessly to support him and his siblings, and by the time his father passed away at 47, he had already endured a great deal. As a boy, he suffered heart attacks and nearly died of tuberculosis. But his life took a miraculous turn when an angel visited, picked him up, and healed him. Though often mocked and ridiculed, he developed a deep love for people, determined to help them reach their fullest potential. He eventually built a successful career in the engineering department of a trillion-dollar company but chose to give it all up to follow his calling as a pastor.


My father didn't grow up with the Bible or church. One day, though, he heard a man wearing a prison uniform preaching on a street corner. As a very young boy, Dad asked his mother what was happening. She explained that the man was testifying and inviting people to a revival at the old military armory. That night, she took the family. When the invitation was given, my dad went to the prayer bench. At just six years old, he felt love for the first time. So much so that he immediately turned to a man standing nearby weeping and asked if he’d like to pray and receive that same love.


Palominas Chapel. Old Armory McConnelsville, Ohio

After the revival, there was no congregation to guide my father. But God wasn’t done with him. As a young man, he found salvation, and it transformed his and my mother’s lives. Together, they began welcoming people into their home, offering friendship and family to those who needed it. Often, guests would ask what made our family so close. The answer was always simple: godly love. A love my dad never experienced as a child, but one that God gave him and that he was determined to share with others.


Apprenticeship

That legacy of love profoundly shaped who I am today. My wife is a direct result of my parents' ministry. Her family began attending worship at the congregation my dad successfully pastored in Mount Vernon, Ohio, a church that grew from the many visitors who had first found friendship and faith in our home. When Jodee and I met, we discovered that we both shared a desire to help guide others to the Lord. She had been praying about becoming a pastor’s wife, and although I didn’t initially set out to pastor, I always knew I’d preach.


From an early age, God made it clear He had a plan for me, just as He had for my father. I often felt Him guide me, giving me discernment on what to do and where to go. When I was very young, there was a Sunday my mom stayed home from worship because she wasn’t feeling well. The rest of the family went, but God told me that a certain person had gone to the altar and repented. When my family came home, excitedly asking who I thought had been saved, I knew the answer. I assumed everyone had this gift, but over time, I realized God was uniquely preparing me.


A Pivot

One pivotal moment came when I was walking down the hall of my house. God gave me an entire message and told me exactly when and where I would preach it. In that moment, He revealed that my calling was more than just to preach—I was to guide His people. This clear direction not only solidified my path but also made me keenly aware of the weight of responsibility I was carrying. From that day forward, the messages from God have continued to come, guiding me every step of the way. Without His words, I would be like "sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal," just empty noise without purpose.


Before stepping into pastoring full-time, I served as a chaplain. However, I refused to work under constraints that limited speaking about Jesus. God then instructed me to return home from out of state to help my father during his last days and to comfort my mother. The people we were meeting with also came to Ohio, mainly out of great respect for my father. It was during this time that God called me to establish a congregation in Richwood, Ohio. We faithfully served our congregation for sixteen years, building a community grounded in faith, charity, and obedience to God.


God's Protection

A powerful experience of God's protection happened when I was riding a quad (4-wheeler) as a pre-teen. I hit a ramp at full speed. The quad flipped in mid-air, heading straight toward a cattle fence lined with barbed wire. As the quad began to flip over, I felt the power of God come over me. It lifted me, crossed my arms in front of my chest, and gently set me down about 20 feet in front of the crashing quad. I watched it come towards me, high in the air, turn upside down, and strike the fence. I knew that I was spared for a reason.


Another time, God watched over us when a friend and I planned to go camping at a spot we knew well. As we pulled up to the area, God said, "Do not camp here. You are in great danger." Without a word, my friend hit the accelerator and quickly drove past the site. He had heard it too. There was no need to talk—we just listened and kept going. God uses the Holy Spirit to guide us, leading us to do the right things and protecting us.

On another occasion, I was speaking with a pastor, and God told me he would lose his congregation if he made certain decisions. He did not listen, and he eventually lost all his people. There was also a man who stood admiring his business, raising his hands and saying, "Look at what I have built." God told me to warn him that he would lose everything within two years because of his lies and the way he was fleecing God's people. True to the warning, he lost it all. God uses the ministry to try to prevent harm, but if people will not listen, the course of life will not change for them.


I remember another time, while preaching, when God told me to warn those listening to a livestream and in person not to attend a particular presidential rally. He said there would be unrest, and those who went would become criminally liable. That was on January 6, 2021. Those who heeded the warning were spared the subsequent legal actions and political fallout.


These experiences, and many others, have been constant reminders of God’s hand on my life, guiding me and protecting me. Through the years, I’ve learned to love people but always listen to God. There were times when I let people, even family, discourage me. I nearly missed hearing the still, small voice of God. Thankfully, one night on a train just south of Abilene, God gave me clarity on how to work for him beyond the disappointments of Debbie Downers. I’ve come to appreciate the importance of discernment. God once told me, "Ignore their faces, but with love, share God's graces," I have kept that advice ever since!


At one point, I recall being in a difficult situation at work. The environment became politically toxic and dishonest, so I left. It was a challenging time, but God watched over us. After two years of tribulation, God spoke to me and said, 'It is over.' Several months later, we faced a wave of trouble that washed over us like a tsunami. Yet, in the end, it dissipated like mist in the air. We were able to stand strong in the words of victory that God had given us.


A Worship House

God had called us to Richwood to establish a congregation there, but we needed a worship house. On two separate occasions, God led me to a specific location. I kept praying, and as I drove past a little white worship house, God said, "That is your building." We met with the owners, and they miraculously lowered the price from $150,000 to $15,000, agreeing to a land contract with zero interest and covering attorney fees. At the time, I had no job or vehicle, and $15,000 felt as unreachable as $150,000. But I accepted the offer, agreeing to pay $500 monthly, even though we didn't have it. From that point on, God provided. We paid $1,500 a month until we only had $3,000 left. Then, we lost all sources of income.


Our congregation prayed, and the next Sunday, I opened the mail to find $3,100 in money orders. A sister from out of state, someone I’d known from my father’s congregation where I had been sending her audio messages (before the internet was popular), had sent the money anonymously, even though no one knew we were in need. I recognized her writing and return address. Unknown to us then, it was her last act before she passed away. We found out when we called to thank her! We used the extra $100 to send flowers to her funeral. Everyone had tears in their eyes. We stood in disbelief for a moment. Then, we broke out in rejoicing, celebrating the power of God and His provision. It was a touching reminder of how God provides and cares for His people. It also reminded us that, until your dying breath on Earth, God can be there, guiding you and helping you.


To a Land That I Will Show You

God continued to guide us, even when we faced hardships. After we bought the building in Richwood, God told me that something was coming in ten years that would change how people worshipped, that my ministry would change, and that I would be needed in a greater way by those around us. That prophecy was fulfilled almost to the day when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Our congregation, primarily elderly, dwindled to five people. God told me that the predicted time had arrived, and it was time for the next phase of my ministry.


For years, I had been praying about Arizona. Back in 2001, I planned to visit a minister there, but the 9/11 attacks occurred the day before my flight. God told me it wasn’t time, but He released us to move after the pandemic. Whenever we would come into the Palominas area, God's peace and assurance would descend on us. When we left, it would lift. God revealed that this was where He wanted us to establish an annual meeting to reach souls and that it was the perfect location—its climate, economy, scenery, and people would showcase His grace and love. Several of us made trips, and everyone agreed God was calling us to this area.


As we prepared to sell our property in Ohio, a brother started attending our congregation. I was puzzled because I wouldn't leave anyone behind. But when I shared our plans, he said he had been praying for years to go to the same county in Arizona where Palominas is located—Cochise. It was confirmation once again that God’s plans were unfolding.


Building Relationships

Throughout my time as a pastor, I have seen God provide in miraculous ways, heal, and bless us with discernment and direction. We have witnessed people healed from strokes, lung cancer, bone cancer, and prostate cancer. He has also provided routine healing, helped people find employment, resolved custody issues, and led souls to salvation. We have been able to offer friendship to those who needed it—friendships that wouldn’t have formed if we hadn’t been willing to listen to God’s guidance.


The most significant legacy of my father’s ministry, and now my own, is the relationships we’ve built. Relationships centered on obedience to God and love for each other are the most important things in life. Listen, godly relationships are the only things you can take into eternity. Think about that for a moment! You can take something with you to heaven. Teaching people about salvation and unity in Christ Jesus is a privilege beyond words.


A Full Circle Moment

One of the most amazing moments was when the grandson of the man who had preached the revival where my father first prayed began attending our new congregation in Arizona. We've also become friends with his step-family, who are all wonderful people. God's control of events decades in advance leaves me in awe. It was as if He was weaving the story together, uniting His people across generations, and drawing us together through eternal life. We've met a truly incredible group of people here in Arizona, including a pastor and his wife, and even reconnected with childhood friends who are serving God.


Vision for the Future

Our vision for Palominas is to help others experience the peace of God that we felt when we first came to this area. We want to teach people about God and how to live for Him, and we plan to expand our blog, podcast, and in-person meetings. Our goal is to build up the congregation and see the annual meeting grow and truly take off. This event brings believers together for inspired preaching, uplifting fellowship, and meaningful connections, all set in the serene mountains of Palominas, Arizona. Enjoy weather 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, breathtaking sunsets, great food, and a laid-back atmosphere.


Our vision is to expand this gathering into a week featuring nightly and morning speakers, but we need your help to grow it! There are many ways to support the event—donate your time, share your skills, contribute materials, or offer financial support. Even showing up prayerfully to support others makes a difference. Together, we can build something special. We also want like-minded people to join us. They can visit our website to explore what we offer and find ways to get involved through the suggestions there. We would love for people to be part of this vision that God has given us.


To be Continued...

I don’t know why God has worked in Jodee and my life the way He has, but I am profoundly grateful. Perhaps a little boy will come forward one day, and I’ll get to pray with him. Maybe that boy, unknown to me, will grow up to travel the world as a missionary, pastor a large congregation, teach ministers seminars, and lead people to God. Or perhaps it will be you—someone reading this, stirred to worship and serve God in ways you never imagined!


But know this: the miracles aren’t done, and the work of God continues. Every step I've taken, every path I've followed, has been guided by His hand. All ability, all strength, and all purpose come from Him. We stand where we are because of those who came before us, giants of faith who laid the foundation. And it is on their shoulders that we rise. As long as there are lives to touch, souls to reach, and hearts open to His call, the work will go on. This is not the end, but just a chapter. The rest is yet to be written...

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2 Comments


Jodee Harding
Jodee Harding
Oct 17

I love the remembrance of God's blessings to us. Over time, you forget all the details and the many times he's moved or guided on our behalf. This made a complete picture of his goodness to us so far! Looking forward to the many more answers to prayer moving forward with the work he has for us now and beyond!

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Kay Kerr
Kay Kerr
Oct 17

This is one of the most beautiful testimonies I've read. We serve an AMAZING GOD! To take a child and use him and show him his purpose is nothing but God! To take a man and a women that have the same vision is beautiful! To see the times God protected Bro. Nathan so he could fulfill a purpose is nothing but the Hand Of God! As I read this I thought how some would think this is a fairytale, but this my friend is the proof our God is real! If you can read this and think that God does not speak to his children, than you can't see the real Power of God! My husband an…

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