Through the years, I have been very much aware that I was made a minister by God’s amazing grace. I remember the time the call to ministry came and the words found a dwelling place in the depths of my being, “whom shall I send and who will go for me?” That call was followed by the response, “here am I Lord, send me.”
As I reflect upon the ministry that God has given me, I have been blessed. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve churches serious about being God’s people on mission to their community and beyond. I will ever be grateful for the call to be a Pastor.
God saved the best for last. For the past seven years I served as bi-vocational Pastor at Providence Baptist of Rico. I am yet to discover the meaning of bi-vocational as it relates to ministry. Even though I was not in the church building each day I believe Providence people knew when there was a need I was available. Now the word bi-vocational has been removed from my title. I find myself spending many hours each week visiting and ministering God’s love to the people of Providence and our community. Providence Baptist Church is very special to me and my family.
Today we hear so much criticism about the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. The question is being asked, “why isn’t the church making a more positive impact upon the world?’ Many books are being written attempting to answer that question. I really believe Christ is making a difference through His church in our community and the region beyond. Our people have experienced God’s amazing grace and are passionate about being instruments through which God shares His grace with others.
That’s what I really love about Providence. We are learning that the ministry of this church is not about us, it’s all about Jesus the Christ. Therefore, our hearts desire is to follow Him in word and deed. Do I believe we are perfect? Absolutely not! We do believe that God is a God of grace and His strength is made known in our weakness. We also believe that when people come to Providence they hear the message of God’s grace and see that grace ex- pressed through the lives of God’s people.
We believe that God has brought together a people at Providence for such a time as this. Each week I see people taking seriously the call to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are learning from our Lord that His ministry was much more concerned with transformation that confrontation. Therefore, we proclaim in word and deed “ grace is far greater than all our sin.”
I am so thankful for God’s call upon my life. I know that I was made a minister by God’s grace. I really believe “grace has brought me safe thus far and eventually grace will lead me home.” Until then, I plan to spend my days sharing with the people of Providence God’s amazing grace. Come visit us and experience God’s grace expressed through
God’s people.