A Life Plan

I am very excited about my future together with Melissa. All of the pieces are finally beginning to come together in an understandable shape. I have often felt that my interests were broad and disconnected, but I believe that I am beginning to see why God has shaped me with tendencies toward youth ministry, adventure, theology, world travel, business, missions, leadership, church planting and teaching.

When I first began to realize that I was supposed to go into ministry I was sure that it was youth ministry so I began working hard along with the community church as a youth leader doing youth events, outreaches and fundraising, once for over $6,000 to take fifty youth to a national Teen Mania youth retreat in Indiana.

Lately I have become extremely interested in theology and philosophy. These subjects, though difficult enter into, are extremely intriguing so much so that men and women have dedicated their entire lives to these pursuits. Is it possible to answer questions of free will and evil?
So how does all of that fit in with my adventurous streak? I remember as a young kid, the thrill of jumping on my bike or tromping through deep woods exploring places I had never been. I was always trying to get someone to go with me on my wilderness adventurous. I pulled along brothers and sisters, friends and sometimes my dog and together we would climb hills and jump logs, pole vault over streams and climb trees.

Before coming here to Southeastern College my main goal in life was to become a great leader. I remember sitting on my bed and looking through my brother’s books and noticing one that said The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. I asked my brother about it and soon my journey into the world of leadership commenced. I have always wanted to be a leader. I as a kid I recruited younger siblings as well as the neighborhood kids to play soccer, kickball and basketball or to go on adventures to the sandpit. I remember specifically choosing to be the goalie at a church soccer game so that I could see the big picture and yell out commands and encouragements to my team mates. I remember trying to be the team leader and I also remember that no one listened to me. I did not know much about influence back then.

Here at Southeastern College I was sitting in class about a year ago when the Dr. Hackett asked, “Where are my future church planters?” I thought about it for a moment and then tossed up my hand. That was the first time I had ever considered it. Melissa, my fiancée is also incredibly ambitious, loves to travel and is great with people. What are we to do with all of these gifts and desires?

Yesterday I had an epiphany. I believe that I am beginning to see how all of the pieces are to fit. I believe that Melissa and I have been given all of these desires so that God willing, we might be prepared to train and mentor indigenous pastors on the mission field. So, within the next five to six years we will be studying for masters degrees while working as youth pastors. By the time that we turn thirty, we would like to be pastoring a growing church and then planting a church during our forties. At age fifty we will begin preparations to move oversees to help establish and plant an indigenous church. Then by the time that we are in our mid sixties will be raising up and training native pastors in church starved countries. Although there are many things to do, I am excited about what God has planned for our lives as we commit to spreading his fame throughout the earth.