Stepping onto the Path of Vocational Ministry

Tse-hong and his mother Elaine

　　Born into a Christian family, I am a second-generation Christian. I learned about the Bible and the Christian faith before I even started going to school, and have been attending church regularly since I was little. It is fair to say that my faith grew by osmosis, and my upbringing is the greatest blessing in my life. I made my commitment to follow Jesus when I was in Form 3. Despite being a second-generation Christian, I know clearly that my faith is not “second-hand,” and constantly remind myself to internalize my faith.

The Desire for Vocational Ministry

　　The Christian faith has a significant impact on my values in life. I believe God has His own unique vocational calling for each of His followers. Some may be called to fulfill their mission in their workplaces, while a minority is chosen by God to serve full-time in specific ministry settings. Therefore, I do not use the term “full-time ministry” so much, as I believe every single Christian should be serving God full-time. As for me, I have a passionate desire for vocational ministry and long to serve Him full-time.

　　While I was still at university, I was already looking forward to serving God in church or other ministries right after my graduation. However, my family held a different view. They suggested I gain a few years of experience from the workplace before seeking my direction to full-time vocational ministry work. The discussion eventually led to a heated debate once, during a family trip. “If God really calls you to a vocational ministry, He will surely change our minds as well,” said my dad. At that time, I thought to myself that I would just get any job and work for a few years in order to please my family, after which I would start seeking my calling in vocational ministry again.

Overcoming Obstacles and Seeking My Calling

　　As I came to the end of term during my final year at university, a head figure from a worship ministry had a talk with me to learn where I was heading after graduation. I shared with him my upbringing and what I thought my calling was, and he gave me feedback. He told me that sometimes the wills, plans, or calling of God are revealed in people’s own wills, as He is the One guiding me through the journey of my growth and building my values all along. He said that we should not wait till all our burdens or concerns are gone before stepping onto the path of serving God. He even rebuked me for taking into consideration the different concerns or opinions of others which allowed me to delay my plans to serve; he thought I should rely on myself, not what others’ thought which actually hindered me from serving Him. At last, I joined the 5-week full-time internship of that worship ministry. I was able to experience for myself what it was like to serve in that particular ministry, get myself equipped in different aspects, and more importantly, draw myself close to God and listen to His voice together with those who were also seeking His wills.

Beginning My Vocational Ministry

　　During the internship, God confirmed my calling twice. The first confirmation came when I was touched thrice in a short period of time by the same Scripture verses where the rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. In the Scripture, Jesus asked the young man to sell all his possessions and follow Him, yet the young man did not respond and went away sadly. The speaker reminded us that God does not necessarily call a person and we should respond promptly when He does, as there is no guarantee for another chance.

　　The other confirmation had to do with my family. The worship ministry organization handed out application forms to those who were determined to serve full-time in its ministry before our internship ended. I was still hesitating despite being touched by the Scripture. At that time, my mother came forward and urged me to hand in my application form, as if she was urging a child to do homework! I then recalled the time when my dad said, “If God really calls you to a vocational ministry, He will surely change our minds as well.” Hadn’t they expected me to spend a few years in the workplace before entering a vocational ministry? Now they were even more concerned than I was! This really gave a boost to my confidence and since then I started serving in the full-time ministry while attending part-time theology courses at night.

　　Three and a half years later, I decided to enter the seminary last year to study full-time. While this was in my plan all along, God also showed me new insights during the past two years. Having experienced the social unrest and the pandemic, I saw that churches needed a much clearer basis of our faith, and should have a better grasp of details in theology and what we believe. I am hoping to take up ministries in teaching, after I finish studying, so as to help our church live out our faith in the right way.