Man Appoints, but it is God who Calls

“How do I know if God is calling me into full-time ministry?” “Am I qualified to serve God and the church?” “But I’m afraid to respond to God’s call because of the sacrifices I’ll have to make and the sufferings that I may have to endure in following Him.”

Is this train of thought familiar to you? Do these types of questions ever plague your mind? To give you some context, allow me to share my family’s testimony as a proof of God’s sovereignty, steadfast love, and great faithfulness.

My husband and I are both second-generation Christians. We each received our faith heritage early on through one of our parents who attended a Bible-believing church. We grew up hearing the Gospel in our younger years. There were, however, many days—years even—when we lived as nominal Christians. Yet through all those years, God remained faithful.

There was also a lengthy season in our lives when we actively served as volunteer workers in different capacities at the churches where we attended while maintaining our day jobs. We loved doing this, but full-time ministry was, for us, on a different level—like Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water. And so, for many years we tried to run away from God’s calling in serving the body of Christ in a full-time capacity. We were ever so reluctant to obey.

In our hearts, we didn’t truly trust God.

But praise be to God because He is infinite! He is wise. He is powerful. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Ps. 86: 15). He is sovereign. After more than a decade of living and working in the United Arab Emirates, my husband, who is currently serving as Assistant Pastor in Immanuel Church, has been nominated for an Associate Pastor position just a few weeks ago. How amazing are God’s ways and plans! He has used and continue to use our church elders and church family, who deeply love and care for us, to speak into our lives and confirm my husband’s calling. From day one, we have never felt alone in this journey.

God is with us. He is our Redeemer. He is our Rock. He is our Refuge and Fortress.

As you consider God’s calling in your life, may your circumstances, your church family, and His very Word guide and encourage you as you take that step of faith.

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Immanuel Church, Easter Service

Immanuel Church, Post-Covid

Immanuel Church Elders and families, 4th April 2021

(In memory of our dear brother in the Lord, Biju John)

Ben on his 46th birthday, preaching at a Filipino congregation in Dubai, August 2025

Our family at Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Fujairah