4 Surprising Stories Behind the "Until He Comes" Devotional
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When we analyze a successful project, we often look for the master plan—the linear strategy that guided it from concept to completion. But the truth is, the most impactful ventures are often born from a collision of strategy and serendipity, where faithful execution of small tasks meets divinely orchestrated encounters. We see the polished final product, but we miss the winding, human journey that gives it its soul.
This is profoundly true for Until He Comes, the new 365-day devotional from authors Amir Tsarfati and Barry Stagner. On the surface, it’s a tool for daily encouragement, focusing on biblical hope and prophecy. But the story of its creation is a masterclass in how purpose unfolds through surprising moments: a project that started as an "accident," a partnership forged in an unexpected elevator ride, and a counter-intuitive strategy that turns a book purchase into a mission.
Here are four surprising stories from the authors' journey, revealing powerful lessons about faithfulness, partnership, and purpose.
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1. It Started as an “Accident” of Faithfulness
A 365-day devotional was never the original plan. The project that became Until He Comes began as "Bible bites"—short video excerpts from Amir Tsarfati's teachings designed for younger audiences with shorter attention spans. The goal was simple: create small, digestible video content.
In 2018, Barry Stagner was asked to help by creating a weekly written devotional from the transcripts of those videos. Having written two devotionals before, Barry had vowed he would "never write another" due to the immense effort required. But this request was different. A single, weekly piece based on existing material, with no book in mind, was an "easy yes." It was a simple, manageable act of service.
This small step of faithfulness in a weekly task laid the groundwork for a much larger project years later, highlighting how commitment to seemingly minor responsibilities can yield outcomes greater than ever imagined. As Amir reflected on the process:
...when you're faithful in one thing he can take it and even make it something even bigger and greater and I and I think that's that's the beauty of of this one.
2. A Ministry Partnership Forged in a Surprise Elevator Ride
Great partnerships rarely begin in a boardroom; sometimes, they start with the closing doors of an elevator. While Amir Tsarfati had once been a guest on Barry Stagner's TV show, "World News Briefing," he didn't consider it "knowing Barry at all." Their professional paths had crossed, but the real connection was yet to be made.
That moment arrived at a prophecy conference in Ohio. As the elevator doors opened, Amir found himself face-to-face with Barry, each surprised to learn the other was also a main speaker. But the true turning point wasn't the chance meeting; it was a moment of profound theological alignment. As Amir listened to Barry, a Calvary Chapel pastor, teach on a topic in a way that was "normally not taught in Calvary Chapels," he was stunned. The perspective fit "100% the way I see things." It was the discovery of an unexpected kindred spirit in a place he thought he already knew well.
The connection was electric. Barry’s wife, who was seated directly behind Amir, later recalled that he "almost came out of his seat" during the teaching. This story shows that the most powerful collaborations are often unplanned, built not on strategic networking but on a foundation of shared conviction and deep mutual respect.
3. The Guiding Principle: "It's Not About You"
A core value defining the authors' work is a deep-seated humility. This ethos was perfectly captured by a small plaque they encountered outside a green room in a Missouri church. Just before walking on stage, they saw the simple but profound principle: "it's not about you."
That plaque is the guiding principle; its lived experience was felt halfway across the world. In Davao, Philippines, as they prepared to speak to a massive crowd of 2,500 to 2,700 people, Amir leaned over to Barry and asked, "can you believe we get to do this?" The question reveals not ego, but a shared sense of awe and privilege. By synthesizing the principle from the plaque with the emotion of the moment in Davao, we see a direct link between an adopted ethos and its real-world expression. In a culture focused on building personal brands, this focus on service is a powerful reminder of where true impact lies.
4. The Surprising "Battle" of the Pre-Order Button
When Amir Tsarfati passionately urges people to pre-order Until He Comes, he isn't making a simple commercial request. He is inviting them into a strategic "battle" with a much larger mission in mind.
The strategy is to drive enough pre-orders to land the book on major bestseller lists like the New York Times. This achievement gets the attention of secular, mass-market retailers like Walmart and Target, placing the devotional on brick-and-mortar shelves where it can be discovered by people who would "never walk into a Christian bookstore." This isn't just theory; it’s a proven model. They used the same strategy for their previous book, Exploring Ezekiel, successfully placing a book about an Old Testament prophet onto secular store shelves nationwide.
This reframes the consumer action of a pre-order into a strategic act of missional partnership, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of modern retail dynamics to achieve a spiritual goal. It turns a simple purchase into a direct investment in a broader mission to spread a message of hope.
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Conclusion: Finding Purpose in the Process
These stories—of accidental beginnings, divinely orchestrated partnerships, foundational humility, and mission-driven strategy—reveal that the journey of creating Until He Comes is as instructive as the devotional itself. They show that great things are often born not from a perfect grand plan, but from a series of faithful, humble, and sometimes surprising steps.
It reminds us that purpose is often found in the process. This leaves one to wonder: what small act of faithfulness in your own life might be the beginning of something greater?
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