Ministerial Calling
My original life dream was to be a medical doctor working as a pediatrician. I loved children and greatly sought to help others through helping with their physical and medical needs. God, however, had another plan for my life that related to my great desire to help people. About midway into my junior year of high school, God began to show me that He had gifted me for vocational ministry in the local church. Through the encouragement and wisdom of my parents, teachers, pastors, and other mature Christians, God began to develop in me the desire to serve Him as a pastor, preacher and teacher. He providentially provided several opportunities for service and preaching that confirmed and encouraged me to trust His gifting and direction for my life. Since committing my life to full-time Christian service, I have tried to utilize both educational and experiential opportunities to sharpen the skills, knowledge, and gifts that God has bestowed upon me for His service and glory.
Ministry Philosophy: The Pastor's Role
I believe that the Lord had provided leaders and pastors to the church for the purpose of equipping its members to serve one another towards spiritual maturity and to reach out to the world in need of the gospel (Eph. 4:11-13, Matt. 28:18-20). This means that a pastor must both serve the members of his church and train and develop them to serve alongside of him. He does this through several aspects of ministry that focus on the people and their need to apply biblical truth to their lives. He is responsible to faithfully preach and teach the word of God, which proclaims the gospel and its impact upon the lives of those who believe (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Titus 1:9). He is to lead, protect, and care for the members of the church as a shepherd does a flock (Acts 20:28, 35; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:17). He is to provide an example of godly character for others to follow (1 Cor. 11:1, Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:12; Heb. 13:7; 1 Pet. 5:1-3). He is to provide godly and biblical counsel for people in varying situations in order that they might do the Lord’s will (1 Thess. 2:11-12; 4:1; 5:14; 2 Tim. 4:2). He is to serve the church as one who administrates and guides it according to biblical principles (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17). He is also to fervently pray for the church that God might be glorified, the members might be edified, and the world might be reached (Acts 6:1-4; James 5:14).
