My Calling Into A Teaching Ministry

I am writing my personal story to help others who may be wondering how to identify their divine directive (I say, “divine directive,” because I think the word, “calling” is one of the most commonly used, but most misunderstood word in the religious vocabulary).

For years I had a burning desire to teach biblical truth, but had no opportunities. Then one time sitting in church I had what some would call a holy discontent. I was no longer satisfied with just attending church, but had to do something outside the walls of the church. I wish I had written down the exact date it happened, but I believe it was about 13 years ago.

Since I had spoken at my local rescue mission once, I decided this may be a place God has for me. I took a step of faith and began to get involved with people at the mission. It started off by sitting at a table, stuffing envelopes for a mailing. I mentioned that I really wanted to be a speaker. It was suggested that I talk to the mission chaplin, which I did.

In the course of talking to him, I mentioned that I was also a writer. I told him about my desire to teach, but did not feel qualified because I had many emotional and relational struggles in my life, along with many negative life experiences. He looked at me and said, “you are exactly the kind of person I can use in chapel because you can relate to these people.” WOW! That was a huge confirmation!

He wanted me as a speaker, but there were no openings at the time, so I went through a waiting period. A few months later, I was walking from my car to the local library when my phone went off. It was the chaplain informing me that one of his speakers had quit and asked if I wanted to take his place. Of course, I said yes. I spent the next five years presenting the gospel to the homeless and hurting people at the mission. At first it took me out of my comfort zone. It was not like speaking before a congregation at church. There I faced the possibility of being heckled or challenged for things I said, but God opened the door for ministry. It turned out to be the best experience of my spiritual journey.

At the same time, I had also been writing and posting articles on Faithwriters, a platform for Christian writers. In 2014 I received an email from a Joel Bauer, who was launching a new website. He had read one of my articles on Faithwriters and wanted to take me on as his first writer. One might say that I got “discovered,” but I know it was God’s doing. Except for about a two year break, I have been posting articles on this website ever since.

With Faithwriters and Tblfaithnews combined, it has turned into a global writing ministry with over 1000 posts and over 2 million viewers from across the world. God has truly blessed this ministry, even though I’ve never had a writing class in my life. Many people have confirmed that I have a God-given gift. In my case, I believe my gift is connected to my divine directive, though that may not be true in all cases.

So, how does one identify their spiritual gift and calling? A college pastor told me a long time ago that there are three ways. You will desire it, others will confirm or recognize it, and God will bless it. That is exactly what has happened in my experience. In summary, the process I went through was having a burning desire, taking a step of faith, getting a confirmation, going through a waiting period, and then God opening a door of opportunity. However, this may not be exactly the same for each person.

I sincerely hope and pray that this article showing the process I went through can help you and other readers discern God’s direction for your life. May you enter this next year identifying and fulfilling your calling!

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “God gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,  the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” I Peter 4:10 adds, “as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”