My Story, Part II
Last week, I shared how God was really beginning to do a work in me. And it was because I was allowing Him to have control of my life. I was serving instead of being served.
I had recommitted my life to God and began to really allow Him to work in and through me.
In the fall of 1995, I was asked to be youth Sunday school director at Chatty. We had four classes. After much prayer, I accepted.
In August of1996, after my first time to lead campers to Falls Creek, I began to lead the youth ministry with helpful direction from my pastor. The Lord had been doing a work in me all this time. In November of 1996, I shared with my pastor that God was calling me to the ministry. I soon made that decision public.
I didn’t have a clear answer of what, where, how, etc., but I knew God was preparing me.
God then laid it on my heart in the winter of 1997 that I was to do what I had already been doing. I was to minister to students at Chattanooga.
Effective in May of 1998, this church called me on staff as youth minister. At the time, this was my ministry objective: to continue to promote and proclaim Jesus Christ as Savior through individual evangelism, discipleship training from the Word, and by personal example.
As we live this personal example, Christ teaches us that we are to be about love.
In Matthew 22, Jesus tells us the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And He tell us: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
And I am to fulfill the Great Commission, Matt 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It was my responsibility as youth minister to equip youth, their parents, and youth workers to minister to teenagers and their families in the community.
God called me to pastor. To preach the Word — No matter what else I do, I realized that I am to be a minister of the gospel of Christ.
I didn’t move to Chatty to seek the to be a youth pastor or pastor. But while there, God called me. He also called me to pastor a wonderful country church called Ahpeatone Baptist for five years. And He called me to plant a new work, a cowboy church. We were able to see many baptized and tremendous growth. We were there for a little under five years.
The last few years, I have enjoyed the opportunities to visit other churches to fill their pulpit when needed. My wife, Cheryl, is an RN at CCMH. Our church membership is at First Baptist West. It’s an awesome church; come visit if you’re looking for a church home.
I don’t have all the answers for the future, but Jesus does! God has called me to preach His Word to people that need to know Him and have a relationship with Him. I will continue to promote the gospel and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through individual evangelism; discipleship training from God’s Word, and by personal example to disciples of all ages.
God has made all the difference. He can make a difference in your life too. I’d be glad to tell you how. Find me on facebook or give me a call at (580) 585-3443.
Choose Jesus, choose life! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And y’all KEEP PRAYIN’ for RAIN! Amen