Podcast Summary: “The Place God Set You”

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host: Nancy Dufresne
Event: Ladies Conference 2022, Murrieta, CA
Date: October 12, 2022

Episode Overview

In this message, Pastor Nancy Dufresne explores the concept of “the place God set you”—God’s intentional, personal placement of individuals within the Body of Christ and the local church. She emphasizes the spiritual importance of seeking depth over numerical growth, recognizing and valuing one’s God-given place, and skillfully occupying that place to fulfill the corporate and individual callings. Nancy also addresses the generational responsibility in stewarding God’s vision and ensuring its continuation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Spiritual Depth vs. Numerical Growth (00:01–13:40)

• Nancy opens by sharing a prophetic word God gave her about church growth: the true measure of success is spiritual depth, not numbers.
  • “Growth of numbers is not always enlargement. Depth is enlargement. Some have promoted numerical growth and sacrificed spiritual depth.” (Nancy Dufresne, 06:50)
• She recounts a story about Dad Goodwin’s church and Kenneth Hagin’s explanation that God never instructed a building expansion, as the goal was spiritual deepening, not just accommodating more people.

2. The Danger of Measuring by the Natural (06:00–15:00)

• Many ministers are “tripped up by looking out here,” making decisions based on outward appearances rather than spiritual leading.
  • “Those who measure numbers as success have no vision to see the depth of the Spirit. Man doesn’t see as God sees.” (Nancy Dufresne, 08:50)
• Nancy warns against ministries “practicing the flesh,” mistaking mere excitement or emotional displays for genuine moves of the Holy Spirit.

3. Discerning the Anointing and Facilitating God’s Presence (15:00–26:30)

• The anointing is not emotional hype; it’s a spiritual flow.
• Nancy shares a personal lesson: “My presence… you don’t get into my presence by earning it. You get into my presence by turning.” (19:45)
• The key is yielding to God—“Did we give Him place? Did we facilitate?”
• She references Dad Hagin’s distinction that the congregation plays a critical role in how much of God’s presence manifests in a service.
  • “It only went to 70% because that’s as far as the people would go with me.” (21:40)
• Emphasis on local churches as the venue for the greatest miracles and moves of God, because of unity in faith and vision.

4. Turning vs. Earning: Responding to God (26:30–33:00)

• Using the biblical example of King Hezekiah, Nancy illustrates that our breakthrough comes not from religious striving but from “turning” toward God.
  • “You don’t have to earn His presence, just turn.” (28:15)
• Services should be moments of turning—from fear to faith, guilt to righteousness.

5. Carrying Forward the Vision—Not Reinventing the Message (33:00–38:00)

• God’s move doesn’t always come as something new and radically different.
• Every generation is called to carry forward the heavenly vision—just as Jesus continued John the Baptist’s message.
  • “God doesn’t do something drastically different. He does what He’s always done, just more of it.” (35:20)
• Children of ministers are encouraged to maintain and steward the family and church’s call.

6. Finding and Valuing Your Place (38:00–58:30)

• Nancy turns to 1 Corinthians 12:18: “But now hath God set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it hath pleased him.”
• Each person is uniquely fitted for their role.
  • “If He sets us somewhere and He’s pleased to set us there, then we choose to be pleased to be there.” (41:35)
  • “Where you fit, value the fit—‘cause you don’t fit everywhere.” (42:30)
• Warns against being “pushed out” of the right spot by offense, comparison, or external pressures (including relationships/family).
• Uses “fit” both as spiritual assignment and natural peace.

7. Responsibility to Bring Your Supply (58:30–1:08:00)

• Ephesians 4:16—Each member of the body supports growth; every joint supplies.
• It's not enough to merely “show up”; each person must “bring their supply” in faith, action, and commitment.
  • “As each part does its own special work, it helps other parts grow… the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Nancy Dufresne, quoting Ephesians 4:16, 1:03:00)
• Connection to God’s plan is linked to long life and fulfillment—being in your place is a matter of “life and death.”
• Don’t be “need-minded” when coming to church; bring a supply, not just a demand.

8. Skillful Occupation and Faith for Your Place (1:08:00–1:22:00)

• Examples from ministry life:
  • Stories of churches where department leaders believe God for the resources in their area, bringing faith not just presence.
  • “The place you occupy, you are to occupy by faith…show up with your faith and believe for this.” (1:15:15)
• Each level or phase of calling requires letting go of what no longer serves, as God promotes you (reference to Kenneth Hagin’s experience and transitioning ministry roles).
• Emphasizes the need to study those with similar assignments, become skillful, and “come to learn, not just arrive.”

9. Accountability in Your Assignment (1:22:00–1:33:00)

• You can’t choose your own department or assignment—God sets you.
  • “You can’t just show up in any department of your choosing. Where did God set you?” (1:27:45)
• Caution against complaining about your call or diminishing your value/contribution.

10. Passing Down the Heavenly Vision (1:33:00–end)

• The vision God gives is for multiple generations—stewardship is required.
  • “The heavenly vision is so large, one man’s life cannot fulfill.” (1:36:00)
• Children of pastors invited forward for prayer—next generation charged to continue and honor the vision.
• “You may be the beginner of it all… but what an honor to be a beginner of something.” (1:43:20)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Man doesn’t see as God sees. Men who measure success by numbers are bound to the natural realm and will never move into further places of the Spirit.” (Nancy Dufresne, 08:55)
• “You don’t get into My presence by earning it. You get into My presence by turning.” (19:45)
• “If He sets us somewhere and He's pleased to set us there, then we choose to be pleased to be there.” (41:35)
• “Where you fit, value the fit—'cause you don’t fit everywhere. And when you find the fit, you better—baby, I’m not leaving my spot!” (42:30)
• “No one else can do your special work for you.” (1:03:20)
• “You have to get around somebody who knows it. So when you come to church, don’t just come to arrive. Come to see how to better occupy the place God has set you in.” (1:14:30)
• “It’s dangerous to complain against your call, to find fault… wish I didn’t have to do it.” (1:27:55)
• “The heavenly vision is so large, one man’s life cannot fulfill. Just carry on and—keep going further.” (1:36:00)
• “You may be the beginner of it all… and what an honor to be a beginner of something.” (1:43:20)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01 – Introduction & prophetic word on depth vs. numbers
• 06:50 – “Growth of numbers is not always enlargement. Depth is enlargement.”
• 19:45 – "My presence is not about earning, it's about turning."
• 21:40 – Dad Hagin’s experience: “It only went to 70% because that’s as far as the people would go with me.”
• 41:35 – “If He sets us somewhere and He’s pleased…”
• 42:30 – “Value the fit”
• 1:03:20 – “No one else can do your special work…”
• 1:14:30 – “Come to learn, not just arrive.”
• 1:27:45 – “You can’t just show up in any department…where did God set you?”
• 1:36:00 – “The heavenly vision is so large…”
• 1:43:20 – “You may be the beginner of it all…”

Tone & Language

Nancy’s delivery is conversational, anecdotal, and passionate. Her teaching is peppered with personal stories, scriptural references, and practical advice, making the spiritual principles relatable and actionable.

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s message is a clarion call to every believer to:

• Value depth with God over mere appearance of success
• Discern the supernatural from the natural/fleshly
• Find, appreciate, and skilfully occupy the unique place God has set for them
• Bring their supply—be it faith, service, or encouragement—to the body
• Equip, steward, and pass on the heavenly vision to coming generations

Her challenge: Don’t just attend—engage. Don’t merely be present—bring your faith. And above all, esteem your God-placed role as a matter of spiritual destiny, fruitfulness, and honor.