My Dysfunctional Ministry

Ministry is more than just choosing a vocation for life; ministry calls the individual and beckons them to follow. At 53 years of age, I have taken a long journey to get to where I am today in ministry, yet I can say with all honesty, "I have not yet arrived." In describing the ingredients to a lasting ministry, Kevin Miller states, “A ‘call’ to ministry is not easily defined, but nothing could be more solid to most pastors. The call of God is

While getting to know Ryan, I asked him about his calling into ministry; when did he get is calling, was there a defining moment when he realized that he wanted to go into

Last Sunday at church Father Ron said something that hit home for me. He said that a mission begins with an invitation. I grew up in a rural area in the highlands of Nairobi, Kenya. Life was not easy and I always made a point of maximizing the opportunities I got. I grew up knowing that I wanted to be in a profession that really helped people improve their wellbeing. When I got the opportunity to go to university I choose to do Biomedical Science because I was very good at science and I thought that being a scientist was my calling. However, becoming an adult and having varying experiences like volunteering in a children’s home, working in the field doing research, working in a laboratory and currently working as a nurse aide has taught me

I have never known a time in my life where I have not gone to church. With that being said, it’s not my largest priority. I tend to get distracted during the school year with deadlines and hanging out with friends. It’s when I’m able to go on a mission trip that I can truly show and see what I believe in. I have been on four mission trips altogether and this summer I took a leap of faith and left the country for the first time to serve. Nicaragua held the same focuses as trips in the United States, but what I consider a mission trip from my experience in the past was not what this trip had in store.

We have spent some unbelievable time in Brazil, Nicaragua (X 5), Honduras (X 5), Africa, and Hungary. We are rolling to Mexico this June, and I am looking forward to serving in Haiti in the very near future. During these trips, my ministry focused on women and children. I have been called to be a carpenter, painter, roofer, journalist, photographer, teacher, evangelist, pharmacist, concrete mixer, story teller, clown, softball/soccer coach, and singer to name a few. God called me to be an ambassador for Christ, and He has never failed to be my provision. Any menial task that was my responsibility, He smiled as I enthusiastically performed my calling. From dodging scorpions and poisonous toads to running from a brood of chickens, I never had a dull moment on mission with God. My travels began in 1999, and the following pages are stories

During World War II, the Allies sought to reign in some of the chaos of international transactions. Problems, to that point, were myriad; currencies and economies were not well-equipped to handle the rapid globalization that was underway. Little regulation meant ample room for abuse, like aggressive devaluation of a country’s currency, along with the less nefarious but equally damaging shocks in the newly-interconnected markets. “Beggar thy neighbor” policies, most of them ultimately landing on Germany’s doorstep after World War I, played a major part in precipitating World War II.

had the strongest desire for almost two years to begin service again as a youth minister, and

I am currently a sophomore, studying nonprofit administration here at Johnson University, and I am so excited for how God is going to use me through my studies. Nonprofit ministries have always been close to my heart because I grew up at one. My parents have managed a Christian camp for 28 years, and camp is the only place I have ever called home. My experience with camp is what prompted me to come to Johnson for the nonprofit program, and I am incredibly thankful this is where God led me.

I remember crying and asking the Lord “why me”! Things never seemed normal or should I say things never seemed right. Growing up in a dysfunctional family you kind of start thinking that life sucks and you will never get a chance at being anything. Then you start believing thatyour not smart. Your nothing and then it happens you give up. I did just that. I dropped out of high school. That’s when my life took a turn for the worse. One day I just started feeling that this isn’t what the Lord wants for me. So I started seeking him. I no longer wanted to give up. Instead I wanted to fight and get my life back. I did just that. I went back to school and got my GED. Later I kept my promise to the Lord and went to college. I found out in college I had a passion for nursing. I also found out I’m pretty smart. I can’t get enough of school. All I want to do is learn. Coming from where I came from I would not take anything for granted. If you give me this opportunity to be apart of your school I will give it my all. I promise your staff will not be disappointed. Sincerely;Ledroin

When you first begin a class you never know what to expect. When I first began Intro to Ministry, I did not know the level of insight that I would have about myself and about the character of God. I have been able to combine the things that have happened in my past and things that are happening now to try to paint God's picture in my life to come. Although you do not need to pinpoint the exact moment in time when you received your call for it to be legible, I am thankful that I do. I think it was a series of people and events unfolding in my life and God opened my eyes to the plans He had for me that lead me to that night. The day that I accepted my calling to be a youth pastor (December 30,2015) I did not go into that evening thinking “I’m going to listen to God and go into Ministry” - but I guess you never do. Since then God has been preparing me emotionally, physically, and mentally through programs that I have gone through, people in my life such as my friends, family, and professors I have gotten to know during the short time that I have been at Indiana Wesleyan. I am nowhere close to being where I want to be but that is the beauty of accepting God's call into any type of ministry, you do not have to have it all figured out, you just have to trust Him.“God is a God of infinite variety, and His call comes to people in many ways.” (Drury, K. Pg.67). I didn’t receive my calling in a damascus road way, instead God knew my heart and character so He gave me my calling in a

My call to ministry was actually not my own doing. At the start of my Christian life, my mother and grandmother raised me in the church where I would sacrifice my life to be a part of ministry. I participate in different ministries as a child. I became a choir member at an early age. Then, I became a praise dancer, a junior deacon, and a Sunday school teacher. This transition to different ministries became a part of my true purpose for God: to fulfill His purpose in my life.

Now that I am in seminary, I have the opportunity and pleasure to study the Lord?s word by digging deeper in biblical study, do research in various theology classes such as, race, religion, ethnic groups, and church mission classes. A major concerned that has been in my dreams for quite a while. It was just a matter of me waiting on God, observing how he made away for me in my

My future ministry is and always has been, the continued work of the Lord. To share His name and the great love that He has for all of His creations. That in my work I will be able to continue to do what God has given me the ability to do in the past. Share His name, bring more people to Him, pray for and help all of the lost find their way to salvation. Show those that have never known what the true love of Christ is all about and how to love them unconditionally through Christ. To continue to help those that are less fortunate. To feed those that are hungry. To give coats and blankets to those that are cold.

There are more things that one must consider before saying YES to God and answering the call of ministry and when it comes to your own personal life, what are some things you must deal with before you cross over to the call of ministry? This is something you must review.

Since the day I was born my parents took my sister and me to church ever Sunday. I grew up in a loving Christian home and was encouraged at an age where I could fully understand, to purse a relationship with Jesus. I accepted Christ into my heart when I was in the second grade and was baptized in the fourth grade at age 10. Growing up I have always been super involved in Church. I have a heart for people and love serving. Since 3rd grade until now, my senior year of high school I have been on the leadership team with my youth group. I can not imagine my life without Jesus as the center. I have been pushed to step out of my comfort zone and because of that I have grown in several different ways. For example, I am an extrovert and enjoy getting new people, but never liked public speaking as I felt nervous and intimidated. By the many adult leaders, and pastors coming along side of me and encouraging me to step of on my comfort zone I now highly enjoy speaking and spreading the truth about The Lord in big groups of people. I am so thankful for the many God loving people that have come in my life and helped stretch me. Jesus is my entire life and I am nothing without him.