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It is 13 years this August that God first called me into the ministry. I was at the Isle of Wight youth camp, God had done a lot of things in me throughout the whole week. Towards the end of the week I vividly remember being prayed for and prophesied over and at that moment knowing in my Spirit that my life was about to change.
I was 16 years old and I remember thinking that I was ready to start my ministry there and then, I would go wherever and tell whoever everything God wanted me too, starting back at school, nothing was going to stop me. I guess in many ways I expected everything to just fall into place. If you have been on your walk with Christ for any length of time, you will know that when words are given we have to test them and after that there is always a time of preparation.
Over the next two years during my A-levels I went through one of the most challenging times of my life so far. I came back fired up from the camp ready to launch the Christian Union with a teacher friend of mine, but was unprepared for the level of attack from my peers who didn’t understand and could not cope with my full on Christian attitude. Looking back I believe I was probably a little too full on, but my life had changed.
I have to be honest and say there were times during those two years where I did question whether I had heard from God, did God really want to use me? If so surely it was meant to be easier than this. But the one thing that stayed constant even when I was being verbally bullied for my faith, was the realisation in my Spirit that the call of God on my life was getting stronger each day.
Over the following seven years I went on a journey as I picked up skills and experiences that helped to shape the person I am now and the calling God has upon my life. Little did I know that I would be writing this blog all these years later as a pastor - the very thing as a child I said I would not do - I remember saying to God - I will do anything for you - just do not make me a pastor.
God has a sense of humour, he knew full well what was going to happen. It was not till I went to Kosova in 2005 the realisation of the call of God into pastoral ministry was evident. I went out still not fully knowing where my calling lay, or at least not admitting it anyway. But being stripped away of my home comforts and my family & friends, I was finally in the place to hear the voice of God clearly.
In September 2006 I went to bible college and did a practical course called the school of ministry, I then applied to become a minister in training, was accepted and placed in Driffield Christian Fellowship as the youth pastor, where I served for three years. I saw the youth group grow and saw people won for Christ, for the first time since God had called me, I felt fulfilled. In September 2009 I moved here to the Beeston Oasis to become the assistant pastor.
Why tell you all this? Well on Monday June 7th 2010, I am being ordained by Elim as a fully fledged ministe - notice I did not say fully complete, my training goes on for the rest of my life and so does yours - it is called our Christian walk.
Sometimes I still find it difficult to comprehend what God has done in my life. On that day I will be recognised by my denomination and my peers which is a lovely thought, but the one that drives me on is knowing that I am fulfilling the plans God has for my life. That day will be the result of all the prayers that have been prayed and the night God called me in August 1997. But that is not the fulfilment of my ministry but just the start, there are greater things to come.
I feel so privileged to be in the position that God has called me too, I am no better than anyone else - Just that God has anointed me to do his work and have the seal of approval from my heavenly Father.
God has called each one of you too, whether it be in your work place, in your family, in your community or at your church, he has a role for you to play, the question is do you know what that is? If you do not the key to finding out is making sure you listen to his voice and then obey what he tells you to do. If you do that you will always be on the right track.
Be blessed, Pastor Steve |
