I grew up in a household that didn’t put an emphasis on God we just weren’t that family who blessed their meals and went to church on Sunday. My parents weren’t against the belief in God, we just didn’t really talk about Him. I believe that was probably the reason I became an adult who felt no need for belief in a “higher power” (as some would call Him). Unfortunately, I spent many years searching for a meaningful relationship. If I’m being perfectly honest, my testimony really begins during the 2020 pandemic where I started to experience feelings of depression, isolation, and helplessness!
I find it interesting to look back on the events that lead me to where I am and marvel at the power of God. You see, once you start to know the Holy Spirit you begin to see His influence guiding us. At the time (for reasons I couldn’t understand) I found myself compelled to get online and start searching for churches in my area, this was somewhere late August to early September of 2020. I didn’t believe in God yet I felt compelled to find a community that did. Looking back, I now realize that the Holy Spirit was nudging me forward and out of desparation, I finally started paying attention.
Despite my efforts to write a series of well thought-out emails, I didn’t receive a lot of responses. The responses I did receive really weren’t very helpful. Then on September 29, 2020 at 9:54 PM a message came through on my Facebook Messenger from a stranger. It read “This is a long shot, but I received an email from a Jason earlier today but I cannot reply back because the email is bouncing back.” I sat there for a few minutes absorbing what just happened. After composing myself, I engaged in a brief conversation with the man on the other end and then called it a night.
I didn’t think about it too much right away but eventually I started to feel that I had an obligation to visit the church, after all the guy went out of his way to find me online. Then on October 4, 2020 I finally summoned up enough courage to walk in the doors. The service was on the Apostle’s Creed, and I can’t really recall the contents of the message, but I will never forget the feeling of relief and welcoming that God placed in my heart that day. I felt the hands of Christ gently upon on my shoulder and a voice whispered, “welcome home.”
I continued to attend service every Sunday, even took my daughter in and had her start going to Sunday school. I made a couple of casual acquaintances but no meaningful relationships (outside of Christ). I struggled to make connections in my new faith community, so I challenged myself to join a small group and quickly grew to enjoy it. I finally started building relationships rooted in Christ, and I wanted more so I signed up to be a volunteer. I didn’t care what I was doing, I just wanted to serve!
Then on August 29, 2021 I made the decision to be baptized, and fully stepped into the light of Christ. As I ascended from the baptismal waters I truly entered into a new life and I know God placed a calling in my heart. I began to look for ways to answer that call and to glorify God, which lead me to this podcast. On June 1, 2022 My Ministry Mission was born. I still serve at the church and I’ve gone out with church leaders into the community to serve those less fortunate.
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:7-8)
The Lord truly rewards those who serve, and that reward comes through joy. I believe this is just the beginning! My Ministry Mission has become a platform to help me along my faith journey while I share with you what I’ve learned. I am on a spiritual mission to find my place in ministry, to serve others, and to do the Lord’s work … and I invite you to join me!
