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DiscipleOfIAm

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Hello All,

I am in search of a Youth Ministry opportunity or wherever God calls me!

First, I will briefly introduce myself! I am a 30 year old, Christian, family man who has been assured of the call of God to go into ministry for some time now. I recently answered the phone that has been ringing for a long while! He has been calling, I just have been ignoring Him. As such, I am enrolling in Bible College immediately. I do have other college training, but not in Biblical Studies. I do not know where the Lord is leading me geographically, but I have always felt a connection with the youth. I have worked with troubled youth in the past and have been very successful. I have been a Christian for almost 20 years, I was saved at the age of 12. I try to follow the Lord in all that I do and glorify Him.

In this pursuit of God's will in my life, I am browsing various opportunities in an attempt to find out what most churches are looking for in a candidate. I am following God's lead. If He opens the door to a ministry opportunity before I finish Bible College, which would be in about 18 months, then I am anxiously ready to step through that door. I am pursuing Bible College via Distance Learning, which makes me very flexible.

As I said, I am answering God's call. He's always been calling, I've just not been answering. I finally realized that He is in control and any fears or anxiety I may have is going to be taken care of by Him. I am willing to relocate or do whatever God leads me to do to fulfill His will and glorify Him. I know He will provide for me and my family, so financial aspects are not important to me. I have no formal Bible College training, but I am an avid student of the Bible. I greatly love theology and doctrine study. After years of trying to make other careers work, I know in my heart that there is no better vocation than to serve Him. For the past several years, family members and friends have been encouraging me to go into ministry. I told them I had felt this call for a long time, but wasn't sure. I once had a discussion with a friend's pastor while fishing. He was an assistant pastor. We discussed theology, church history, etc and he was surprised I had no formal training. I told him I was just a student of the Lord. He also urged me to go into ministry. This really sealed it up for me.

I seem to have a talent for reaching the youth. Having two children of my own and another one on the way, I know the importance of our youth for the future. I have always been able to relate to youth and have worked in a juvenile detention center as a counselor. It was a very rewarding position, but it was a government facility and they frowned a bit on sharing the Gospel with the kids. That is not the reason I left, though. I feel the youth area is a great place to start and maybe finish. Only He knows how long I would stay in one area. But, that seems to be where my heart is telling me would be a great start. I feel that it is important for the youth to experience a renewed longing for Bible study and edification. I have a heart for soul winning and feel the youth is in need of this outreaching to win souls early to train and equip them for the future.

What qualifications do churches seek, other than 1 Tim 3, in a candidate? Educationally, do they seek someone with a degree? What type of a degree? Associate, bachelor, advanced graduate, etc?

Any additional information would be greatly appreciated. I will value the information you provide in my journey of God's will. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Blessings!
 

dodolah

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hi disciple,

I admire your visions and callings toward the youth generation.
I think you are already going on the correct path of becoming involve in full time ministry. Are you interested more as a counselor? or as an associate Youth Pastor?

My questions to you are:
1. Have you contact your local church and tell your senior pastor or someone in charge about your calling? they might need you.. you might be the answer to their prayers for the church youth ministry.

2. Although I have no objection about the NATURAL TALENT that God gave to people, I am urging you to NOT stop studying at an accredited Theology seminary school. As far as i know, most associate pastors are master degree or higher.
Education can mean a LOT in fulfilling your calling EFFECTIVELY. I mean, certainly God gave human a brain to be used. I am all for God's given talent but i am questioning people that says they do not need education to fulfill God's purposes (not that you are one of these people).


3. The best method (and I'm pretty sure you know this already) is PRAYER. Ask the Holy Spirit guidance on where He wants your ministry and How you can contribute, etc etc..


4. What kind of ministry are you looking for? is it homechurch based or is it more in travelling between the churches?

I guess my advice to you is focusing your mind unto God and ask Him to clarify your calling further. Remember, God won't tell you to go to some place if He hasn't prepare you, yet.

God Bless you brother
 
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