Salvation
I grew up in the thriving metropolis of Brinkley, Arkansas. With a rich Christian heritage, I was in church from birth. We were members of First Baptist in Brinkley, and it was a tremendous time of spiritual education. I was actively involved in choirs, RA's, Sunday School, and had a fantastic group of adults who taught me God's Word and modeled Christ for me.
At the age of ten, I was visiting my grandmother's church in Monroe, AR. They were having a movie night (a novel idea at the time!) and I was captivated watching the story of changed lives in Christ unfold in front of me. For the first time in my life, I began to realize that I knew about Jesus and loved Jesus, but He wasn't my Savior and Lord.
I walked that aisle, told the pastor I needed Jesus and prayed and asked Christ to forgive me and to take charge of my life as Savior and Lord. I was baptized two weeks later at my home church.
Christ has been, and will always be, central to my life. He's been persistent in pursuing me, patient in my growth, and challenges me to take my faith deeper and my witness farther.
Calling
A move to a new town during my freshman year of high school brought new friendships and new opportunities in my Christian faith.
During a Sunday morning service, I was sitting in my usual spot with my friends half-way listening to the message. This particular day was different. Every time the pastor spoke about missions or ministry, I could feel the Holy Spirit nudging me. I had no idea what was going on, but I felt this strong urge to respond to God's call on my life to serve him. The pastor presented me to the church with a call to ministry and set out to mentor me for the next year.
I became VBS Director that summer and he walked me through my very first (and very short!) Sunday morning message.
Another move to another town during my senior year of high school solidified that calling. My youth pastor in Dexter, MO walked me through ministry, licensed me as a minister, and mentored me.
I've always believed that God didn't call me to a ministry; He called me to Himself. This is how I approach my ministry calling.