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Tyler Thompson—Youth Pastor
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My Call to
Ministry
God has
allowed me to be surrounded by ministry my entire life.
Having a pastor/father in a home no doubt exposed me to
the heart and guts of ministry and church work from an
early age. Seeing my father pour his life into ministry
eventually rubbed off on my life and I began to develop
the same desires and passions. I am certain that God
allowed me to grow up in the family I did to help
instill in me the desire for ministry.
During my
college years I was able to spend summers working with
the youth at NEBC. Though these times were very informal
and primitive, the laid the groundwork for what would
eventually be my present ministry. It was during those
years that I learned how to disciple and counsel teens,
interact with parents, and teach the Bible.
Following
college, I was able to continue serving as a lay leader,
now accompanied by my wife, Leslie. When I eventually
made the decision to pursue vocational ministry, I
enjoyed the full support of my wife, in part because she
had seen me in action years before and knew my passion
for the church and ministry.
In
addition to being affirmed and supported by my wife,
family, and close friends, my calling was also validated
through many members of our church family.
My
spiritual gifts are teaching, shepherding, serving, and
exhortation— gifts that help to confirm my call to
ministry. Without these specific gifts, I believe it
would be hard to justify a man being able to capably
lead the flock. I also believe my calling is genuine
because of the great satisfaction and contentment that
result from serving.
In short,
I have a deep inner longing—a compulsion—to serve in the
ministry!
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