Chuck Ripka

If you will dare to obey God, even when it’s uncomfortable, you will see remarkable wonders in the most unlikely places.

Duane Kropuenske and I don't look much alike. He's over 6 feet tall; I'm 5 feet 7 inches. Our backgrounds aren't similar either. Duane attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was raised in the Lutheran church. I ended my formal education after graduating from high school and never set foot in a church while growing up.

But Duane and I do have one thing in common—we both want to obey the Lord. That was clear to me the moment we sat down in a restaurant and talked about the new bank we planned together.