I am blessed to be the Minister at Gamlingay Baptist Church.
I started there on October 3, 2016, and was ordained by the Baptist Union on December 3 of the same year. As you can see, I have been an ordained minister for a short period time.
In addition to being new(ish) in post, I am the youngest member of the church, at age 31, with exception of a few children, including my own.
I remember when my wife and I began to sense a calling to Gamlingay Baptist Church, we’d speak to people who often said to me, ‘Just because it’s your first church doesn’t mean you have to start small and rural!’ Others asked how I would cope with such a small church, no young people, no children, and no families like ours???
These were all thoughts that ran through my head on a regular basis in the process leading up to responding to the call. But then, I felt God speak mightily: He said, I am calling you where I need you and where I want you! Well, that changes everything…
I had to realise, that no matter my age, my skills. thoughts or passions, God was (and is) in control. When that reality is one I decide to live by, true perspective comes into play. My age and my setting don’t matter…
God called me here.
THEN, I have to start asking myself the question, of why? And that’s when God makes it clear: because of who He has made me to be, because of my Passions.
You see, prior to becoming an Ordained Minister, passionate about seeing people enter into a relationship with Jesus, I was a Youth Pastor, passionate about seeing young people enter into that same relationship. I was also passionate about seeing young people valued, involved and stretched.
I’ve always had a passion for creative expression, for Community building and community involvement. I have always been a pioneer, one to see a need, and attempt to do something about it…
These are all things that are needed or, are developing, in Gamlingay.
There are 4900 people in the village alone, not to mention the thousands of others in surrounding areas. These include children, young people, young marrieds, retired, and so on. Gamlingay is a very diverse village, much like most of our neighbourhoods nowadays.
So, what’s my point you may be asking yourself?
Well simply put, that God will always call us to a place, where we (He) can use our passions, whereas, our passions don’t always lead to a place where we can do what we’re called to do.
Being a young minister in a Rural setting may seem like it doesn’t make sense on paper, especially for a person whose age is almost the same as the number of houses he has lived in. And if I am honest, our family joining Gamlingay Baptist Church didn’t make
sense on paper. But God doesn’t always work in the ways we expect, He doesn’t always do things our way (and let’s be honest, that’s a relief!!!).
So, ask yourself this question, what is your calling? What is God asking you to do? Then let your passions feed into that. Don’t let your passions try and direct your calling, because God may have other plans…
One thing I know for sure is, the more I listen to, and follow what God has for me, the more interesting and blessed life is!
So, what adventure will God take you on next?
Ask Him! Then, buckle up for the ride!
ORIGINALLY USED AS PART OF A 4 PIECE REFLECTION SERIES FOR BBC RADIO CAMBS.
Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash
Simple Faith 