a. How old were you when you answered the call to ministry?
I was 15 years old when I accepted my call to full time Christian ministry and service. This calling occurred at a World Changers mission week in Charleston, West Virginia, just weeks after I finished my freshman year in high school. I will never ever forget it. I have reflected often on this time and this commitment to my Savior and I today rejoice in that He called me… even me!
b. How did you know you were called to ministry?
Many things occurred after my call to ministry. Godly parents, Sunday school teachers, Christian adults, and leaders affirmed me in my decision. Through lots of prayer, reading God’s Word and getting in on the actual doing of ministry and service that God calls us to, helped affirm the call for my life to serve Him in Christian vocation.
c. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you answered God’s call?
Following Christ isn’t easy. When Christ told His disciples to deny themselves and to take up their cross, the same is true today. People will not agree with your call to follow and answer God’s call. There will be what seems to be better things to do with your time and your money, but a call to Christ is a call to deny self. You will meet more people than you ever wanted to know, go places you never knew existed, and experience things you will never think imaginable as you walk and delight yourself in Him.
d. What is the best advice you would give a student entering the ministry today?
Love God with all that you have, Love others more than you love yourself, and live a life of Love. Ministry exists because people exist. If there were no people, there would be no ministry. If you and I can’t love the people that God has put in front of us, than our ministry will never affect the Kingdom of God. Throughout the Scripture, we see Jesus loving people, ministering to people, touching people, healing people, and teaching them about the Kingdom. Be a Kingdom person who loves like the King does!
Great read if you want something out-of-the-box. For fans of Blue Like Jazz (which I read last fall) and anything thats not your typical-christian-living pick up. My friend Richard said it was great and one of the best he had read in awhile, it was good just not the best.
In my vain efforts to try and figure out the opposite sex, i tried my yearly relationship book and it was pretty decent. It was a little repetitive but short and to the point in some areas. Thinking ladies should read it, too!
It has been a long time coming, but back to one of my favorite authors in my library. I had been wanting this book since it came out 2 years ago at the Lifeway I was working at, and i was able to pick it up for $5 a the five buck christian bookstore at tanger. AWESOME READ!
I started this one last summer in July and I finished it around late April, finally. It was probably the longest book I've ever read cover to cover (besides the Bible) and the persistence paid off. What a great history of the work and movement of the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. EVERY Southern Baptists needs to read this!