Faithfulness in the Empty Years

There’s a story from South Africa that has always stayed with me. It’s the story of John Francis (Jack) Rowlands — “Brother Rowlands” as many called him — a British-born missionary who planted a work among the Indian community of Durban in the 1930s.

Jack preached faithfully in a small church every week, year after year. But here’s the remarkable part: for six years, there was not a single convert. On many Sundays, there were no attendees. Just empty pews. Six long years of pouring out sermons into the silence.

Then, one day, Jack made a bold move; he rented a large auditorium in South Durban for a revival crusade. Initially, attendance was low, and doubt could have crept in. But Jack persisted. As the nights went on, the crowds continued to grow. On one unforgettable evening, over 2,000 people gathered, and 173 gave their lives to Christ.

That moment became the spark of a movement. Bethesda Temple was born, and from there, the ministry spread across South Africa and into Asia, with thousands of pastors and missionaries trained through the Bible College that followed.

Faithfulness in the empty years had not been wasted.

My Connection

This story isn’t just “missionary legend” for me — it’s personal history. My father, M. G. McLuhan, served in the Full Gospel Church of God in South Africa during those same years. He became Vice President of the small Bible School in Kroonstad (where I was born) in 1954, and worked closely with Brother Rowlands, who became one of his dearest friends.

The legacy of Bethesda runs deep in my own life. When I visited there decades later, they welcomed me as though I were returning royalty — not because of anything I had done, but because of the impact my father and Jack had together in shaping leaders who would serve across continents.

The Struggle of Faithfulness

It’s easy to romanticize the story now: the miracles, the packed church, the global movement. But I can’t help but think about those six silent years. The Sundays when Rowlands likely felt foolish. The mornings when he probably asked himself, “What’s the point? Who am I even talking to?”

That part of the story resonates with me most because I, too, know what it feels like to work hard with little visible result. I’ve poured energy into writing a book, creating a mentoring platform, posting reflections — often greeted with silence, a handful of “likes,” and the gnawing fear that I’m wasting my time.

But Rowlands’ story reminds me that faithfulness is not about results. It’s about persistence. It’s about showing up when the pews are empty, when the inbox is quiet, when the vision feels too heavy to carry another day. The fruit, the movement, the outcomes — those belong to God.

Staying True

Maybe you find yourself in your own version of those six years: faithfully parenting, praying, showing up at a job or calling where the results seem meager.

Take heart. You are not alone. The Spirit still whispers: “Take one more step. Change one more diaper. Write one more page. Preach one more sermon. Show up at work one more day.”

Brother Rowlands didn’t know when or how the breakthrough would come. Neither do I. Neither do you. However, history shows us that God accomplishes profound things through those who persist in showing up, even in silence.

My father’s legacy in South Africa and Jack Rowlands’ long dedication at Bethesda Temple remind me that faithfulness is never wasted. And even now, as I wrestle with my own doubts and questions, I choose to believe that my “six years” are not barren — they are preparation.

Closing Thought

The story of J. F. Rowlands is not just about a legendary crusade or a growing Bible College. It’s about a man who kept his hand to the plow when no one was watching. That kind of faithfulness still matters today, in Durban, in my own journey, and in yours.

So here’s the encouragement I hold onto, and perhaps you need to hear too:

When the pews are empty, keep preaching.

When the inbox is quiet, keep writing.

When the boss keeps criticizing, keep showing up.

When the well feels dark, keep digging. Faithfulness is never wasted.