Ordained and Growing in Service
Greetings! I am excited to be a part of the Christian Leaders Institute for ministry training and the Christian Leaders Alliance for deacon minister ordination. To be ordained and growing in service for Christ is an honor and a blessing.
I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church and am of Dutch descent. So, the doctrine, as well as style, at Christian Leaders Institute, were familiar to me. About 20 years ago, my home church left the CRC. The church name changed, but the building didn’t. More importantly, the teaching remained consistent with the solid foundation of Christian teachings on which the church was founded. The fellowship and friendships with the brothers and sisters in neighboring CRC churches also remained.
My Ministry Service and Education
I have served as a Deacon and an Elder in my home church, including two years as vice president of the church council (our church has traditionally asked the Pastor to serve as president). I am an educator and have BA degrees in Communication and English and am a certified English teacher and Elementary Education teacher. Also, I hold administrator endorsements (Principal/Superintendent of Schools) and MA degrees in Communication and Educational Administration.
Furthermore, I teach Communication and Media at the college level and led a college’s Communication department for some years. My communication and media knowledge and abilities helped launch my home church’s cable casting and live-streaming of our worship services. It also secured for us an FCC license for a 24/7/365 FM Christian radio station, which went on air a few years ago.
In the church, I have organized and led special services and offered prayers during prayer services. I have also been called upon to lead worship. Further, I have had the privilege of teaching that has led to membership in the church. I have taught every age from five-year-olds to 85-year-olds (sometimes at the same time in my life). So, getting up in front of groups, or being behind a microphone (I worked on-air at the highest-rated radio station in New York City before going into teaching), and knowing what to say and how to say it engagingly isn’t a problem for me. It has been a regular part of my professional life.
Called to Serve in the Ministry
However, leading in worship and leading in teaching for church membership has shown me that sharing the Good News, and applying it to the lives of those hearing it, has a significance beyond educating and advising students in more worldly disciplines. God has led my life in unexpected and surprising ways. When I look back, I can see how events in my life, without my realizing it at the time, were preparing me for increasing service to Him and His people.
I know God has led me to Christian Leaders Institute. I know that through the courses I have taken and will take, I’m developing more and more confidence and ability to serve Him and His people further. Also, the deacon minister ordination is part of my journey. I am ordained and growing in service in God’s kingdom.
All things happen in His time and according to His plan. While I don’t know yet all the ways that I will be serving, I know that He is preparing me. Then, as the avenues present themselves, I will, through Him, be able to serve and care for His people and proclaim His loving ways.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the Christian Leaders College.
Author: Henry Reyenga
Henry Reyenga is president of Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance.
