The entry below is a story from a church planter.
I am an elementary school teacher by profession, but God was calling me to plant a church. I was partway into the planting process, and had decided that this year would substitute teach so I could focus more of my time on ministry. I had developed a good relationship with the principal of the school where my new church was holding services, so I told him I would be interested in subbing. I got a call to sub on the second day of school.
After a week, the principal called me and asked if I would take a full-time position. I said no. This was a school with a lot of challenges. The students are difficult and rebellious. This is not a school that teachers want to work in.
But the Lord began working on my heart. I couldn’t sleep. Something was wrong. My old school was in a great area. There were no behavior problems. But I was tired of it; I wasn’t fulfilled. This new school I was subbing in… I would have never, ever have chosen to work at this school. Teachers regularly turn down this school. They don’t want to come to a school like this. I didn’t want to take it either. But I sensed God calling me here to make a difference. So I said yes.
I’ve been here ever since and I love it. I see the needs of the community up close, and that relational proximity has helped me understand the community better. I’ve developed relationships: with the kids, with the parents, with the other teachers. Many of them know I’m a pastor. I don’t broadcast it, but I don’t avoid it either. I’m trying to be a light where God has placed me– a doer, not just a talker.
And that has made all the difference.