My Journey Into Ministry: Reflections On Christmas Ministry
Residency at Mercy Hill has been a unique experience that has been a springboard for living my life strategically for the mission of God. I came into residency not knowing if church ministry was something that I wanted to pursue vocationally or not. However, through the seminary program, the hands-on ministry opportunities on a college campus, the in-depth training from people who have served all over the world, and the opportunity to see inside the decision-making process of a church, I have grown in knowing how God created me as a disciple-maker, evangelist, and member of the body of Christ.
Being able to take seminary classes with a cohort of people you are doing ministry with was an incredible experience. We had deep discussions, practiced what we were learning in class, and challenged one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Seminary was not something that I had even considered in my life. However, Mercy Hill believes strongly in every member growing in their knowledge of the Word and how to study it for the purpose of an abiding relationship with the Lord and a goal of reaching every nation, tongue, language, and people group. I was able to work through my beliefs and theology in a safe environment, where the staff was willing to discuss each side of a topic.
Mercy Hill is uniquely gifted in creating leaders to be sent out, valuing every person through coaching individuals in Strengthsfinder, and teaching that we need every believer to be a part of the mission of God. I have become more confident in both strengths and weaknesses, knowing that I am only one part of the body that needs every part to play a role as we seek the glory of God together.
I was also given the opportunity of support raising. While this may be intimidating, I am so grateful to have an opportunity to see how the body of Christ can be generously involved in each ministry… I was able to build relationships within the church body that I didn’t have before. I learned how God provides for each ministry in a unique way that I wouldn’t have understood or seen without support raising. We partner with an incredibly strong organization that gives a biblical foundation for support raising, training, and coaching. Support raising grew me in my dependence on the Lord and my view of being interdependent on other believers.
Mercy Hill has an incredible sending culture of teaching the whole congregation how to live strategically for the mission of God wherever they are. They also challenge their flock to consider moving for the mission, whether on a church plant or overseas. Not only have I learned from missionaries who have been sent, but I’ve been able to see God’s heart for the nations throughout His word as we study that as a church. I am planning to move overseas in a couple of months and I don’t think I would have said yes to this without the discipleship of Mercy Hill in my life.
Whether I join a different church staff later in life, or have a job in the workplace, I have been discipled and equipped to follow Jesus in every area. I am so grateful for the residency in my life and I have grown immensely in my own walk with the Lord. I learned how to think through theology on my own and I grew in my love for the local church. Residency brought me into a Christ-centered family, developed me as a leader, and now is prayerfully sending me to reach the unreached.
-College Resident (2020-2023)