How I Became a Preacher

family walking with wagonMy decision to become a preacher cannot be pinpointed to one specific moment, but rather was a series of events and experiences that took place over several years.  I grew up in the church and got some experience speaking at my home congregation and with Lads-to-Leaders.  I went to Freed-Hardeman intending on being a farmer, my dad is a row-crop farmer in southeast Missouri.  But I also had a love for basketball and history.  So I was going to get a degree in P.E. and history with  secondary education licensure.  I would then return to coach, teach, and farm; I guess I thought there would be time for all three!  While at FHU several events began to conspire to move my heart towards ministry.  I want to list some of these because in many ways these are like waves of the sea that kept hitting me till they eventually knocked me over with the desire to preach.

A.  I met some great friends who were strong Christians and were going to be preachers.  I became close to a good number of guys who were preparing for full-time ministry.  Kyle Butt became my roommate and close friend.  Kyle helped me to see the talent I had and helped give me pointers and encouragement on how to use it.  Eric Lyons was a dear friend who encouraged me;  even helping me get my first job.   Enoch Rinks and Chris Fry were close friends that had a heart for foreign missions.  Add in the teachers, my parents, and my sweet wife, Amanda Carson, who all guided, encouraged, and inspired me to do full-time work.

B.  I developed a heart for missions.  Throughout my time at FHU I went on several mission trips.  I was influenced by missionaries and mission professors.  This pull to do foreign mission work was a key factor in how I got into the ministry.

C. I gained experience and realized I could do ministry.  I never thought I had much talent when it came to speaking.  But through being a chaplain in various groups, presenting devotionals, and doing some fill-in preaching at small churches I realized I could be successful at preaching and it thrilled my soul to study and deliver lessons.

D.  The final turning point came through three good elders and one great church in Clarksburg, TN called Roan’s Creek Church of Christ.  They were looking for a preacher.  Eric Lyons who was working up the road got me the try-out in August of 1998.  I remember meeting with these elders and talking about our working agreement.  I was finishing up my degree through doing my student teaching.  We agreed to a 6-month trial period.  I would try ministry and they would try me!  It was not truly full-time, but it was my first work.  I was 22.  After graduation, I was offered a teaching position, but the trial period had convinced me.  I had a burden on my heart and a joy in my soul for preaching.  I have not looked back.  I have been preaching  for 17 years this August.  I am thankful those three elders and that great little church took a chance on a young, unmarried farm boy from Missouri.  They encouraged me, loved me, and sealed the deal in me being a preacher.

The point I hope you got from my post is that your turning point may not be one decisive moment, but it may come through a multitude of experiences that God uses to point your heart to ministry.  Don’t resist these experiences and what they are saying to you!  Step out in faith and the journey with God will be wonderful.

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