When I was 12 years old, I accepted Jesus Christ. When I was about 15 years old, I knew God had given me a heart to serve internationally. When Soy was 23,, he accepted Jesus Christ. A short time afterwards, he knew God had given him a heart to serve internationally. We were both very confident in our salvation and in our calling.
As we have served in Guatemala, we’ve had the privilege to watch so many leaders. We asked the Lord to help us model our leadership through the examples of the pastors who lead by serving. Those pastors who do not seek the recognition, but quietly serve. We know they are ultimately modeling the servant leadership of Christ.
In December, some of the workers gave me words of affirmation as they talked about my example as a leader. While I was sitting in the classroom listening to the kind words, I knew what was happening in the classroom beside us. There were a group of men making food bags for our students. Within the group of men, three of them were pastors/ministers. All week they had served the people of Guatemala, the Grace workers, and the team. They had poured concrete, ridden in the back of trucks, helped with the sound system behind the scenes, washed hundreds of dishes (and tried to convince me to buy paper plates), etc. Nothing glorious. They were the spiritual leaders, but they led by serving.
Here’s the reality of being in the ministry. So many of the pastors are the listening ears for those in need, they are the calm in the chaos, they are the Saturday morning phone call for help, they are the clean up crew after services, they are expected to show up no matter what. They are on a public stage but need to live a private life.
Maybe the Lord has given me a tender heart towards pastors because I’ve had the privilege of being raised in a pastors home. I’ve had the privilege of watching so many Godly men and women serve others tirelessly. We somehow think that pastors do not have marital problems, wayward children, moments of doubt, burn-out, exhaustion, sorrow, and hurt from criticism. But, they carry a heavy load as the spiritual leader. We consider them to be strong because they always show up to lead and serve.
These men remember their specific calling. They walk in obedience in spite of the circumstance. They cling hard to the promises of God. They make the choice every day to trust God.
Of course, so many people have asked why I would even return to serve the people in Guatemala. It is a fair question. And yet, I think about all of the pastors who tirelessly lead and serve the people in their church and community. They faithfully share the salvation and love of Jesus Christ. They are in the trenches every single day. They do not quit because life gets hard. They have an eternal perspective. They refuse to let the enemy win. They tune out the noise of the world. They lead. They serve.
To every pastor who has invested in our lives—God has used you greatly in my life. I have watched your obedience to your calling. Your steadfastness. Your clinging to the cross.
Thank you for not quitting. Thank you for being confident in your salvation and your calling.
I am confident in my salvation. I am confident in my calling.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
