I will never forget the moment God called me into full-time ministry. It wasn’t during a quiet retreat or in the middle of a service where everything felt safe and predictable. It was at a youth camp in Mississippi. Surrounded by peers, worship, and the presence of God, I heard His voice in a way I couldn’t ignore.

At the time, I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t know where God would lead me, or what assignments He would place in front of me. But I knew one thing: I was called. That call became an anchor for me through seasons of joy and through moments of trial.

Over the years, I’ve learned that while assignments may change, the calling remains. The call is personal, it is costly, it is urgent—and it is eternal. What began at an altar as a teenager has carried me through every chapter of ministry since.

Since this is an article for our AGK credential holders, it makes sense to say you have experienced God’s call. Don’t let that moment fade. Remember it. Share it. Talk about it often. Write it down in a journal. Tell it to your family. Rehearse it in prayer. Every time you retell your story of calling, it reawakens your faith and strengthens someone else’s.

But here’s the reality—many wrestle with the uncertainty of details. You may know God has called you, but you don’t know exactly what comes next. That tension is normal. The pattern I’ve seen—both in Scripture and in life—is that clarity comes through consistent presence with God.

So how do we practically take steps to hear and respond to His voice?

1. Be in His Presence — Slow down, quiet the noise, and make space to listen.

2. Be in His Word — Scripture sharpens our ears to recognize His tone and truth.

3. Be with His People — Mentors, pastors, and spiritual family help confirm and strengthen the call.

These three threads—His presence, His Word, and His people—have consistently been the soil where calling is confirmed and courage grows. Think of Esther, who heard Mordecai’s challenge and responded with prayer and fasting before stepping into her assignment.

The declarative statements you’ll see throughout this devotional have been a lifeline for me lately. Like many leaders, I can wrestle with overwhelming self-talk—thoughts of doubt, uncertainty, or fear. But God keeps reminding me: I am not the one who qualifies me. He is.

My responsibility is to align my heart with His truth—to choose faith, confidence, and assurance in His voice.

Here’s a simple way you can practice this:

1. Identify one negative self-talk phrase you’ve been carrying.

2. Write a declarative “God-talk” statement that directly answers it.

3. Say it out loud daily until His truth is louder than your fear.

Don’t just read these statements—find your own. And never allow your self-talk to be louder than your God-talk.

And remember this: as spiritual leaders, we are called by God to walk in spiritual health. May we be privately healthy and publicly fruitful.

“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” — Romans 11:29

Calling is Personal

God doesn’t call crowds—He calls names.
He knew you before you were born, and His call has your name on it. You are not random, and you are not replaceable.

Calling is Costly

If it doesn’t cost you, it probably isn’t your calling.
Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily.” The call will stretch you, demand courage, and bring tears—but obedience births joy that never dies.

Calling is Urgent

Delayed obedience is disobedience.
We don’t get to wait for the “perfect” season—there isn’t one. The time to obey is now. The Kingdom advances at the speed of your yes.

Calling is for a Lifetime, Assignments Have a Shelf Life

God’s call never expires, but the way it expresses itself often changes.
Your role may shift, your location may change, but the call remains the same. Hold the assignment loosely, but the call tightly.

Calling Has Seasons of Highs and Lows

Not every day of ministry feels like victory.
Elijah called down fire one day and hid in a cave the next. Don’t mistake a low season for a lost calling.

If You Can Do Anything Else and Be Happy, Do It

The call of God will not let you go.
If you can walk away and find joy elsewhere, it probably wasn’t your calling. But if the fire won’t leave your bones, that’s God’s mark on you.

Calling is Eternal

Your calling doesn’t end at retirement or death—it echoes into eternity.
Every act of obedience, every soul reached, every seed planted carries eternal weight.

A Final Reflection — Gratitude for the Call

As we move through this Thanksgiving season, take a moment to pause and give thanks for the call of God on your life. When was the last time you stopped—not to analyze your call, not to question it, not to compare it—but simply to thank the Lord for it?

At our Superintendent orientation in June, shortly after we were elected, Susan Ross pulled Amber and me aside and said something I’ll never forget:

“You don’t have to do this… you get to do this.