First Day at Southwest

Today was my first "official" day at Southwest Baptist Church. My office is not completely "moved-in," but I have a desk to sit at, a chair to sit in, and a computer that is up and running.

I praise God that he has called me into ministry, but I have to be honest.. I NEVER thought I would be an Associate Pastor of a church. I truly felt my ministry would be working with high risk students within the school districts. I also felt like the opportunities I've had to travel to different schools and cities to speak to students about making healthy choices for their life would be my main ministry and God would eventually have me doing this full time for the rest of my life. In my mind I would see myself traveling all across the country, speaking in auditoriums FULL of students. I could picture myself on flyers and videos, and I could hear myself being introduced as, "the most sought after speaker of his generation."

HOW SELFISH CAN I BE? If anyone has read "The Purpose Driven Life," you learn in the very first chapter that this life is NOT about you. It is about GOD! It is about fullfulling HIS purpose for your life. I know God has great things planned for me, but now I realize they are great ways that I can SERVE others and not myself. Through the church I will be able to work with students, and I will be able to tell them all about healthy decision making. But this time, instead of speaking to them and then hoping in car and leaving to the next city, I will speak to them and then stay here to continue ministering and praying for them. I will be here when they struggle and come to me for prayer and council. I will be here to celebrate with them when they achieve victory in their life.

And maybe no one other than out church members will know my name. Instead of speaking to thousands of kids a year, I will only speak to the 30 youth who are active members of our youth group. Instead of giving parent presentations and workshops to people all aroud the State, I will be sitting with the parents of Southwest Baptist Church in football stands on Friday nights, or I will be praying with them in hospitals when one of our youth fall ill.

Pray for me. I am excited about this new chapter in my life, but I know it will also bring new challenges. I'm ready to serve. And if you don't remember my name, that's ok. It's not important. Just call me Bro.