As I mark another year today, I want to share my ministry experience with young people, especially Gen Z, who may have relied on short YouTube videos for guidance on life and ministry. Some who are serving God are not getting the results that the leading preachers on social media are narrating. It is right to learn from those ahead, but your experiences and theirs don’t need to be the same.
Over the past twenty years of my life, I have encountered experiences that have deviated from my expectations. Let me start with the instruction of God to labour in a rural community immediately after my first degree. The beneficiaries of my labour at that time were the children of the rural dwellers. Apart from teaching God’s word, I also supported their education by teaching. As these young people began to find their dreams, I am left with a new generation of young people whom I need to invest in for their development. Those whom I train are now serving the Lord in other denominations, and the Aaron and Hur whom I have raised are lifting the hands of other “Moseses”.
None of the sermons about ministry growth in contemporary times on social media capture the essence of my experience. If I hadn’t known Jesus personally, I might assume that I had done something wrong. Let me assure you, God has a plan for you, and you are not behind schedule. At the Sea of Tiberias, when Peter asked Jesus what would become of John the beloved, he raised the question because Jesus had told him he would die a martyr, while John might live forever. Jesus responded to Peter by saying that he should follow Him, and what happens to John is not his concern.
If John were to explain what it means to serve God, someone with Peter’s experience might perceive God as unfaithful. Jesus instructed Peter to “follow me,” and that is what you must do as well. Ministry is about serving God; it should not be a quest for experiences that others have described or that you have had yourself. Rather, what God has for you should be your desire.
For instance, if you are called to serve in the music ministry and God guides you to move away from the prevailing trend of hard and fast Afrobeat percussion popular in southern Nigeria, public acceptance of this may differ from that of those who choose to follow current trends and may be discouraging. Being on the path of Peter is not a crime, but rather an act of obedience.
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May your birthday be filled with countless blessings, sir, as you celebrate another year of life and the joys that come with it.
Happy birthday to you,more annoiting to your head,the Lord uplift your ministry sir.
Good understanding of divine calling into the ministry and God’s plan and intention for everyone in His vineyard
More grace and understanding of His word in Jesus name
Happy birthday sir.
Amen
thank you Dady
Really thought-provoking reflection on ministry and personal experience! I appreciate how you emphasize that everyone’s journey with God is unique, and it’s so easy to compare ourselves to others, especially in this era of social media. Your story about serving in a rural community and investing in young people is inspiring—it’s a reminder that true ministry often happens in ways that aren’t flashy or viral. But I’m curious, how do you stay motivated when the results of your labor aren’t immediately visible or celebrated? It’s interesting how you mention raising “Aaron and Hur” for others—do you ever struggle with feeling like your role is behind the scenes versus being in the spotlight? I think it’s so important to remember, like you said, that following Jesus is the priority, not chasing others’ experiences. But honestly, how do you handle moments of doubt or discouragement when things don’t go as planned? Would love to hear more about your perspective on balancing faithfulness with the desire for tangible outcomes. Do you think social media has distorted our understanding of what success in ministry looks like?
Do you think social media has distorted our understanding of what success in ministry looks like?
I think so
Your reflections on ministry and the unique path God has for each of us are truly inspiring. It’s refreshing to hear someone emphasize the importance of personal experiences over the often glamorized narratives we see on social media. I appreciate how you’ve highlighted the value of serving in less visible, rural communities—it’s a reminder that impact isn’t always measured by numbers or recognition. Your story about raising up others who are now serving in different denominations is a testament to the ripple effect of faithful service. I wonder, though, how do you navigate the pressure to conform to the “success” stories we often see online? Do you think the church today places too much emphasis on visible results rather than the heart of service? Your perspective is so needed in this generation, and I’d love to hear more about how you encourage others to stay focused on their unique calling.
The second edition is coming soon
Do you think the church today places too much emphasis on visible results rather than the heart of service?
yes I think so
Your journey in ministry is truly inspiring, and it’s refreshing to hear a perspective that doesn’t follow the “highlight reel” trend of social media. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others, especially when platforms like YouTube make it seem like everyone else is thriving effortlessly. I love how you emphasize that God has a unique plan for each of us, and it’s not about matching someone else’s story. Your work in the rural community, especially with the children, shows such a deep commitment to service. It’s amazing to see how those you’ve trained are now impacting others in different denominations. But I’m curious—how do you stay grounded and focused on your own path when the expectations and narratives around ministry can feel so overwhelming? What advice would you give to someone who feels discouraged because their journey doesn’t look like the ones they see online?