When I was 12, I was invited to a youth group where I heard the gospel. Jesus was so compelling to me. Every week there was something new to learn about him. I was captivated by his compassion and his power. He was so powerful, yet so personal. So human and so God. That Christmas Eve, as I was thinking about why we celebrated Christmas, I prayed, “Jesus, I want to follow you all of my life”.

I was working as a primary school teacher when my minister at Jannali asked me to be the kids’ minister. My first thought was, “I don’t want to do that!” However, when I thought about my week, I was already doing so much kids’ ministry in all the gaps outside of my full-time job. I didn’t know what else the ministry job entailed, but I said “Yes” anyway and took my teaching skills and used them to do kids’ ministry. 

They supported me as I studied a Diploma of Theology part-time at Moore College while doing kids’ ministry. I worked at Jannali for 5½ years, before Christ Church, St Ives rang and asked if I would come and work with them to raise up kids’ ministers. 

 

The joy of childlike faith

I’m one of five siblings, and I have 10 nieces and nephews. When I looked at my week before jumping into teaching and kids’ ministry, everything in the gaps was with children. I like working with them – they’re honest and fun and it is a joy to see their faith. Sometimes children teach us more than we teach them. 

Once I was with a kid, and he said, “I pray that the whole world will become Christian!” I thought, “Wow, I never pray like that but I really should”. The other day at church we had the communion cups out. Three primary school boys walked in, saw them, and said, “Yes! We get to do communion!” They were so excited. It really shows us what joy in the Lord is and what faith looks like. 

 

Big and beautiful promises

I was invited to be ordained and I thought, I’ve made the promises in my heart to serve Jesus. I had never really thought about doing it formally. However, two years ago I paused my job at St Ives after six years of work  to go back to Moore College and finish the theology degree. I entered the ordination pathway then.

Ordination is one of those moments in your Christian life where you say “Yes” publicly. Those moments are significant. Like baptism and confirmation. This is a significant promise. I’m saying, “God has led me to this place and with his help, I want to keep serving him”. 

It’s dual isn’t it? The church affirms that I’m fit for ministry, and I say I want to serve Jesus with all that I have. The more I think about this, the more beautiful the concept is – to say this out loud with people. When things are hard, I can look back on these big and beautiful promises. 

 

A precious partnership

I think you just keep walking through the open doors. God has presented opportunities to me, and I just kept stepping forward. When I get the opportunity to teach Scripture, or present the gospel on a camp, or lead kids’ church each week, they’re such precious opportunities. 

I’m not doing this alone. There’s a network of people that prayed, gave, encouraged, and nurtured me as a Christian, as a minister, and now into this step. I’m so indebted to them and so thankful for their partnership. This whole time I’ve had the backing of the church, and I didn’t ask for that – it was generously given. 

Please pray that I will teach the Bible faithfully. Pray that God will raise workers for his harvest from this ministry, and that our church can keep sending out people.