As the admissions director at Wesley, I have the honor of witnessing the very amazing things that are daily, irrefutable evidence of the Holy Spirit moving people to do more for Christ in the world. Every time I open the mail, answer the phone, read an email or a fax, I am privy to inspiring stories of how God is calling people to serve for the rest of their lives. A young man emails me and says God is calling him to be an ordained pastor. A successful lawyer calls me up and says the Holy Spirit as been whispering to her for years to go into the ministry. A mother with teenagers writes me a letter that says she and her family are willing to make the time and financial sacrifices necessary for her to be able to serve God’s church.
These people are coming from Sunday schools, Emmaus Walks, Disciple Bible studies, youth groups, choirs, and praise bands. Often they’ve been leading a program, course, worship or a group in their church.
Every person who applies to Wesley writes a personal statement in which they outline the formative elements in their background, with particular focus on what they believe to be the most significant people and events that have mentored and inspired them. Sunday school teachers, worship leaders, pastors and laity all make a difference.
It’s energizing for a congregation to have a member go into ministry. It’s a multiplying factor where a congregation increases what it is able to accomplish week by week when its members send forth someone into the ministry. And it is a gift to God’s church for a congregation to raise up someone who will go to graduate school for three to four years to become servants.
An individual is in your church right now feeling God urging his or her heart. Church members have the ability to affirm that whisper by saying “I know you have great gifts God can use in the church what will further the Reign of God.” My prayer is that you would encourage the people in your congregation to explore their call to ministry. There’s a strong likelihood that the words you tell those people will bear fruits for God’s glory for generations to come.