Bare Cupboards and Seasonal Trials Reveal the Faithfulness of God
After moving from Wisconsin to Massena, New York, he discovered his new church had just come through a split. Instead of the congregation of 100 Durst expected, only 23 people remained.
The offering that first Sunday totaled $60, or $40 shy of covering his weekly salary. Before long, he, wife Beverly, and their two hungry toddlers were looking at a cupboard containing only a tablespoon of peanut butter.
“God, we don’t know what to do,” Durst prayed, “but You didn’t bring us here to starve us!”
An hour later, they heard a knock on the door. A woman from the congregation told how God had led her to buy twice as many groceries as normal and bring it to the pastor’s house.
“I don’t know if you have any needs or not, but God told me I had to give all to you,” she said. “Will you help me unload the car?”
The delivery included enough groceries for three months. Three months later, the section sponsored a grocery shower that provided more food; Durst also found a second job cutting trees to sustain the household.
Thanks to his friendship with a charismatic Catholic priest, Sunday night services in Massena often drew bigger crowds than morning worship.
“We had a lot of Full Gospel Businessmen and other charismatics coming,” says Durst, who served the church for five years. “It was a very exciting time.”
“What this taught me was that if I can understand the reality that Christ lives inside of me, I will never be afraid” he says.
As the 75-year-old leader prepares to step down Aug. 12 after more than 20 years as superintendent of the New York Ministry Network, Durst still cherishes that remarkable demonstration of God’s faithfulness.
There would be other examples of God providing, including after his dismissal from two different pastorates. One especially stung; it happened at the AG church Beverly’s grandparents had helped launch.
Then finishing his doctoral studies, Durst went to the church with the intention of helping the pastor. He later candidated for the position after having served for a time as interim pastor.
When attacks seemed to come from all sides, and the unanimous vote required for election as the senior pastor did not come to pass, Durst was released from the church and his position the night before Thanksgiving. But Durst again clung to the faithfulness of the Lord.
Duane and Beverly took advantage of the three-month interim between this assignment and another to teach their children about God’s goodness, even when circumstances seem dismal.
“We took it as an adventure and told them, ‘God’s got a better plan for us,’” Duane says.
“I told them we haven’t violated any biblical principles or confidences. We’ve been on the receiving end of negative stuff, but if God works everything for our good (Romans 8:28), we’re going to be okay. Don’t let this make you bitter.”
That counsel stuck. All his children and twelve grandchildren are serving the Lord. His daughter is a registered nurse and until recently led a large cooperative of homeschooling parents in Ohio.
After seeing the pain pastors can endure, one son decided to become a counselor, while the other manages nine facilities for the Salvation Army. One grandson is a youth pastor, and several others are students at various Christian universities.
Today, Durst understands God’s provision more fully than he did as a young graduate of Central Bible College (now Evangel University). He also appreciates how God has used everything in his ministerial career for good.
“I’ve had pastors come into my office and say, ‘I just got fired; you wouldn’t understand,’” Durst says. “I say, ‘I do understand. Let me tell you my story. God still has a place for you.’”
Daniel A. Houck, 60, the superintendent’s executive assistant for upstate New York, says his boss’s testimony shows that no matter what someone’s position, they will confront challenges and tests of faith.
Among the qualities Houck admires about Durst—whom he served with at two churches prior to joining the district in 2020—are his integrity, character, and heart for hurting people.
“I’ve seen him in all situations: behind the scenes, publicly, and in hundreds of meetings,” Houck says. “I appreciate his consistency, care for the ‘big C’ church, and individuals, whether congregants or individuals in ministry.”
Although leaving the network, Durst will remain active as the non-resident executive presbyter for the Northeast Region for two years. He also has speaking engagements lined up, including leading a Thanksgiving weekend retreat for a Korean church in Flushing, New York.
As he steps down, Durst is pleased to have presided over a network that grew during his tenure. Assistant Superintendent David Nuzzolo will replace him, with Durst forecasting his successor will reach the goals the network has set its sights to achieve.
In addition to God’s help during his career, Durst credits mentors like Leon Miles and Al Bartholomew with giving him the inspiration and dedication to keep going no matter what happened.
“When I was 25 years old, Leon told me, ‘Duane, you will never have problems, only opportunities for God to reveal Himself,’” Durst says. “I have preached and lived that ever since. Between that and Al’s unconditional love and prayer support, my life has exceeded my dreams!”
