A Ministry Search Update

I wasnt sure I would get a job when I came out the other end of this trip to Briercrest. I thought I might not be nearly so desirable to hire with a Masters' degree in Youth Ministry. Smaller churches may not want me because they may not want to pay me what I'm apparently worth now (not that they were falling all over themselves to do that before the degree - and not that we weren't content with what we had been blessed with regardless of this). I just had the idea in my head that people wouldn't want me. After sending out resumes last year with little or no response (one interview), I was expecting much the same this time around.

So, now that I've counted I am in way over my head. I asked God for options, and He has given them in abundance. Sure, not everyone I send a resume to even returns my email or acknowledges me (which I think can be rude at times, especially after requesting that they let you know if they have received the information and asking where they are at in their hiring process). Last month I went to two interviews in person with Faith; we said no to the one opportunity and the leadership wasn't at peace with us coming for the other.

It seems like every Thursday I have another phone conversation with someone interested in me for ministry. And many of these are different. There is a church restart in Medicine Hat looking for a youth and worship pastor; a church in Fort Saskatchewan needs a youth pastor; there is a camp in the Cypress Hills looking for a camp manager; I have spoken to a pastor in Martensville, SK about a position he has available for a youth pastor; and I'm speaking to Joe Dueck of Joe's Place (a Moose Jaw youth drop-in centre) about the possibility of working there as a program director. God has answered my prayers in this regard. But now I need direction. I am meeting with two pastors this coming Tuesday from Fort Saskatchewan, and on the following weekend I will be with my family in Lethbridge. The camp wants to hire for June 1 (which is nuts).

Please pray for direction and help from the Lord as we make decisions and present who we are in light of who He is.

- Mark