My Journey to Starting a Ministry

NOW... It’s Your Turn

There comes a time in life when you feel a tug at your heartstrings, an undeniable calling that nudges you toward a higher purpose—for me, that moment arrived with an overwhelming sense of clarity and urgency, pushing me to start a women’s ministry. Today, I want to share my journey, the challenges I faced, and the immeasurable joy of answering this divine call.

The Call

I always believed that each one of us is put on this earth for a reason, a unique purpose that only we can fulfill. For years, I felt an inexplicable draw towards ministry, but I kept it at bay, thinking I was unworthy and unprepared, and I felt I couldn’t speak because I had a speech impairment. It wasn’t until a moment of profound personal reflection and prayer that I truly understood what was being asked of me. I realized God’s call was not about my worthiness but His will. I felt an overpowering sense of certainty and clarity that this was the path I needed to follow.

Remember the dialogue between God and Moses--- when He called Moses: “Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the Lord said, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now, therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” Exodus 4:10-11 NKJV. Much like when the Lord called Moses and many others like Gideon, Jonah, and Jeremiah, I was working my gift in the secular world, corporate, education, and as an entrepreneur. And Jesus was calling me to follow Him.

He assured me He would put the words in my mouth, love in my heart for His people, and the tools in my hands to accomplish the work He has called me to do.

• Gideon doubted God’s call to deliver Israel from the Midianites, insisting he was the least of the least.

• Jonah ran from God when instructed to warn Nineveh of impending judgment.

• Jeremiah argued with God’s direction, stating he was only a youth and could not speak to the rebellious nation of Israel.
  

Finding Clarity

The first step in answering the call was seeking clarity. I spent countless hours in prayer, fasting, and meditation, asking God to reveal His plans for me. I also sought counsel from my pastor and mentors who had experience in ministry. Their wisdom and guidance were invaluable as I navigated this uncharted territory.

I started reading scriptures more intently, looking for signs and lessons that could guide my journey. One passage that stood out to me was Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. This verse became my anchor, reassuring me that God had already created a path for me.

Overcoming Doubts and Fears

No remarkable journey is without its obstacles. Doubts and fears crept in, whispering that I wasn’t qualified or capable of leading a women’s ministry. However, I remembered Moses, who felt unworthy of leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and yet, with God’s guidance, he accomplished the impossible. Gideon thought he was weak and the least of them. He was instructed to go in his might and save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. God reminded him that I Am sending you. Remember, it’s in our weakness that we are made strong.

Jonah was disobedient and spent three days and nights in the belly of a giant fish, crying out to God, praying to God for forgiveness, promising to give thanks, and fulfilling his vows to obey God. Once Jonah surrenders, the fish spits him up on the shore near Nineveh, and God calls him a second time. Jonah goes to Nineveh, with a running in his feet, to deliver God’s message, and the city repents. God spares both Jonah and the city of Nineveh.

Then there was Jeremiah, who was more concerned with his age, poor speech, and inability to lead instead of the call on his life. Jermiaih said, Ah, "Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” Jermiaih 1:6. As if God didn’t know this already. He’s the one who formed him in the womb and set him apart. The Lord told Jeremiah, “Do not say, “I am too young. “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you” Jermiaih 1:7. When the Lord calls you; He equips you. The Lord declares He is with us and will rescue us, there is no time to be afraid when the all mighty God is within you.

I decided to focus on preparation. I attended workshops and conferences on ministry leadership to deepen my understanding of scripture and volunteered more at my church. With each step, my confidence grew, and my doubts faded. I may not have felt worthy of God’s call, but nevertheless, when I came into alignment with His will, He equipped me for what divine purpose He needed me to carry out. God will give you just what you need, just when you need it.

Casting the Vision

With clarity and preparation, the next step was to build a vision for the ministry. I asked myself, What needs in the community can my ministry address? After speaking with women at my church, other churches, and community leaders, it became clear that there was a profound need to mentor women, train and equip leaders, create a platform for women to craft their gifts, and exercise their God-given purpose in ministry and the marketplace.

I envisioned a ministry that would not only preach the Word of God but also put His love into action through tangible support—monthly meetings, weekly devotions, community-wide Bible studies, workshops, conferences, blogging, and so much more to come.

Taking the First Steps

Starting a ministry requires careful planning and organization. I gathered a group of like-minded individuals who shared my passion and vision. Together, we drafted a vision and mission statement and outlined the ministry’s core values and objectives. To date, I have led women and hosted women’s community Bible studies and conferences for more than twenty-plus years.

The Joy of Serving

Today, as I look at the thriving ministry we’ve built, I am filled with immense gratitude and joy. Seeing lives transformed, witnessing the power of God’s love in action, and knowing that we are making a difference in women’s lives naturally and spiritually fills my heart with an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

The journey has not been easy, but every challenge has been an opportunity for growth and deeper faith. I have learned that answering God’s call is not about being perfect; it’s about being willing and obedient.

Now It’s Your Turn

If you feel a call to start a ministry, know that you are not alone. Trust in God’s plan for you, seek guidance and clarity, overcome your doubts with preparation, and build a vision that serves the needs of God’s people and your community. The road ahead may be challenging, but the rewards of serving God and others are beyond measure.

Answering the call to ministry has been the most transformative experience of my life, and I encourage you to take that leap of faith. God has incredible plans for you, and the world is waiting for the unique light that you carry... shine bright.

God Will Complete The Work He Began In You

1. Don’t Wait for the Perfect Plan

• Acknowledge Imperfection: Accept that no plan will be flawless. Understand that perfection is an illusion.
  

• Pray for Guidance: Seek God’s wisdom and timing in your decision-making process.
  

• Take the First Step: Start executing your plan with what you have. Adjust and refine as you go.
  

• Reflect and Adapt: Regularly assess your progress and make necessary adjustments based on your experiences and insights.

2. Engage the Right Tribe

• Identify Supportive Individuals: Look for people who share your values and vision.
  

• Build Relationships: Invest time in building genuine connections with these individuals.
  

• Seek Encouragement: Regularly interact with your tribe for motivation and accountability.
  

• Offer Mutual Support: Be prepared to support and uplift others in your network as well.
  

• Evaluate Your Circle: Periodically reassess your tribe to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and values.

3. Be Resilient in Your Faith

• Strengthen Your Faith: Engage in regular spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, reading scripture, and fasting often.
  

• Ask for Grit: Pray specifically for resilience and the ability to stay strong in the face of challenges.
  

• Embrace Weakness: When you feel weak, turn to God for strength, acknowledging that His power is made perfect in your weakness.
  

• Stay the Course: Commit to your path and persist despite setbacks or difficulties.
  

• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and give thanks for small victories along your journey.

4. See Challenges as Opportunities

• Change Your Perspective: View obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning.
  

• Embrace Adversity: Accept that challenges are a natural part of life and leadership.
  

• Reflect on Experiences: Take time to understand what you can learn from each challenge.
  

• Apply Learnings: Use your newfound knowledge to improve your strategies and decisions.
  

• Stay Positive: Maintain a hopeful and optimistic outlook, trusting that God has a purpose for every struggle.

5. Remember Biblical Principles

• Live by Faith: Hold onto the belief that God’s timing and plans are perfect.

• Find Encouragement in Scripture: Regularly read and meditate on verses that inspire and strengthen you, such as 1 Corinthians 15:58.

• Stay Committed: Let your faith guide your actions and decisions, knowing that nothing is ever wasted when you walk with God.
  

• Share Your Journey: Consider sharing your experiences with wise counsel, your inner circle, your mentor, or journaling.
  

• Ask for Wisdom: God desires to provide wisdom and guidance. It’s important to ask God to show us His views so that we may know His perspective and do ministry according to His standards. James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

• Seek Wise Counsel: I would like to leave you with two scriptures. The first is Proverbs 11:14: “Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.” The other is Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Both passages clearly indicate that we need to seek wise counsel for success so we don’t fail.

By following these action steps, you can start your ministry and become an influential leader in faith. If you feel led, share your journey in the comments and inspire someone else.