Looking back, I often feel that I just stumbled into ministry. Even though I had a definite calling at the bedside of my nephew when he was dying of cancer, I kept it to myself for 2 years. When I finally shared it, things moved fast. After a few months in a group candidacy program, I was assigned to lead a small church. I learned as I went. I’m thankful for the License to Preach and Couse of Study training and all the people that have helped me along the way.
5 years later, we were selling our business and as we loaded the last of our cattle up received a call from the DS telling us to prepare to move to another district. So, it has gone with each appointment being a new adventure with new experiences and amazing people at each of the five appointments I have been blessed to serve in. In two of those appointments one highlight was to serve as a Firefighter, Medical First Responder and Chaplain as well as pastor. This part of my ministry was especially meaningful to me, the churches and the communities.
I now find it time to retire and slow down, to chose where I invest my time in ministry during retirement. To see the people who cross my mind often but have never had the opportunity to return to. Time to invest in the family and be engaged with the new ministry that God sets before me.
Appointment History
[(FL) PL 12/1/2004; FL 2009] Mapleton 12/1/2004; Mapleton, Burt 2006; Burt, Saginaw: West Michigan Avenue 2007; Jeddo, Buel 2009; Ossineke 2012; Gordonville, Midland: Homer 2020.