In week 5 of the Talking Jesus series, Pastor Torry Sheppard brings a timely and tender word for those who’ve been faithfully sharing their faith—but are still waiting to see results. This message encourages believers to persevere when the work of evangelism feels slow, discouraging, or seemingly unfruitful—especially when it involves someone they love. 

Pastor Torry opens by acknowledging a common, heartfelt question: What do I do when I’ve done everything I know to do? Whether it’s a child, a spouse, or a close friend, long-game evangelism often means walking with people for years without visible progress. And that can be exhausting. This message is a reminder that although the journey is slow, it’s sacred—and that God is still working. 

A Hiking Story with a Spiritual Twist 

To illustrate this, Pastor Torry tells a humorous and revealing story from a college trip to Utah, where he and a group of friends mistakenly knocked over the very rock stacks—called cairns—meant to guide their hike through the desert. After getting lost, they realized they had been dismantling the very markers that were supposed to help them get to their destination and return home. 

The story sets up the central theme: in the long, dry stretches of spiritual influence, we need markers of faith to keep us grounded and encouraged. Without them, it’s easy to lose our way. Evangelism is rarely instant. It’s a journey—and one that often requires more endurance than enthusiasm. 

Part 1: Stacking Stones – Keeping Your Faith Alive 

Drawing from Joshua 4, Pastor Torry reflects on Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land. After God parted the Jordan River, Joshua instructed the people to gather twelve stones as a memorial. These stones weren’t just for celebration—they were for remembrance. They told future generations: God was here. He moved. He delivered. 

What’s striking is that Joshua also set up a private altar in the riverbed—stones no one else would see once the water returned. Pastor Torry suggests these hidden stones were personal—a reminder for Joshua himself. Because even the strongest leaders are prone to forget God’s faithfulness. 

Like Joshua, we need to “stack stones” along our spiritual journey—moments of answered prayer, miracles, or breakthroughs that we can return to when doubt creeps in. Sometimes the best way to encourage our soul is to remember what God has already done. 

Part 2: Spiritual Influence Over the Long Haul 

With our personal faith fortified, Pastor Torry shifts focus to how we can maintain spiritual influence when nothing seems to be changing. He outlines three key commitments that keep us in the game: 

1. Prayer 

Prayer isn’t passive—it’s powerful. It’s not just something we do while we wait; it’s part of the work itself. Citing James 5, Pastor Torry remind