Dream BIG!
God has always been a strong presence and influence in my life, but in a million years, I never thought I would consider becoming a pastor. But, since God has an amazing sense of humor, I did. Here is the story of my call.
It began when I worked at a law firm and had the privilege to work with Wayland Russell, a client and a true Christian. He was the chief executive officer of Rainbow Rentals, a publicly held company. He is the kind of man who never proceeded with anything in his life or in the life of his company without first seeking the will of God.
While Wayland was working on his company’s strategic plan, which entailed a possible merger with a large competitor, he called in an absolute panic to speak with my boss. In all the years I had worked with Wayland, one thing he never was, was panicked. This weighed on my mind. The next day, as I was driving to work, I had an overwhelming and very clear thought to call Wayland and tell him to trust in the Lord, and everything would be just fine.
I was certain the message came from the Holy Spirit. The downside to following through with it was the very real chance that I could lose my job. So, when I arrived at work, I avoided thinking about it. Then, finally, I took my cell phone and called Rainbow. Wayland’s assistant Nancy assured me that I should tell him exactly what had happened on my way to work. So, I did.
Wayland’s response was to put everything down and re-focus. “If God felt it was important enough to send me a messenger, then I better listen,” he said. I told him it was one of those “be still and know” things. Soon I would learn that such a message would be turned toward me. I also mistakenly thought this was the end of my “mission.” Again, God’s sense of humor.
The very next day I was attending practice for “Tetelestai,” a production of the Passion of our Lord. During our afternoon praise time, I was overwhelmingly saddened to realize that if Communion were served, there wasn’t anyone there who would bless the elements for non-Catholics (much of the cast was Catholic). Then I heard it, the same voice I had heard in the car the day before, but this time it said the person who should bless the elements was me. What?
I was so traumatized by this newest order that I truly could not function on Sunday. I stayed in bed. I thought I had lost my mind, because I was hearing voices. On Monday, I finally listened. I took the time to pay attention to that “be still and know” thing and I decided to find out about becoming a pastor. I called the Rev. Ed Fashbaugh at the EOC Methodist Conference Center to find out what I needed to do. Near the end of our conversation, Ed prayed with me and for me, and I began crying – heavily.
On my bus ride home from work that day, I called my dear friend, the Rev. Debbie Gibbons. I told her all that had happened over the last few days and how fearful I was of what God had planned. It became clear that I should apply to become a pastor in the Methodist Church, but I just wasn’t sure I could. Debbie had lived that very thing, and I knew I could trust her judgment. We talked for a long while, prayed and laughed. She told me it was about time, because I’d been doing it unofficially for the past 10 years; this was just a way to “finalize” it. When I got off the phone, I looked out the bus window and saw a billboard that read “Dream Big!” (Later my daughter, Helen, asked if the billboard was signed: “Love, God” because it should have been.)
When I got home, I told my husband John about speaking with Debbie about becoming a local pastor. He also said it was about time! I then called the Rev. Ruth Roth for insight and thoughts. She also prayed with me and for me, and I cried again.
But when all is said and done, I realized my true call had come long ago. I just wasn’t listening. I was always telling others they should become pastors, but I never dreamed I should be on the pastoral end of that suggestion. God has been amazing to me, my husband and my family. Why in the world would I not trust that He would know what He wanted for me – go figure.
My next discussion was with my own pastor, the Rev. Jack Yeager. He handed me the initial book for Discovery for Ministries, and the journey continued. I was licensed as a local pastor last June and now serve as a part-time pastor at South Arlington UMC, where my church family is just the best!
Rev. Nan Morgan, Akron South Arlington UMC, Canal District
