When Ministry Looks Different: A Journey of Obedience, Calling & Purpose
Many years ago, when I sold my business, I believed I finally understood what ministry was.
In my mind, ministry meant preaching.
A pulpit.
A sermon.
A Pastor with a capital P.
That was the picture I carried.
But God had something completely different planned something wider, deeper, and far beyond anything I could have imagined.
On a recent trip to Scotland, a pastor approached me to encourage me. He thanked me, not only for the legal work I do, but for the spiritual work the unseen work. And then he prayed over me:
“May God show you great and mighty things you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:3)
His words stayed with me.
They confirmed something that God had already been whispering in my heart:
that everything I do every role, every assignment, every conversation is ministry.
Understanding Obedience in Calling
There is a Scripture that constantly guides me:
“Obedience is better than sacrifice.”
(1 Samuel 15:22)
Obedience is not always dramatic.
It is often quiet.
It is saying yes when no one is looking.
It is serving when your strength feels low.
It is showing up in spaces that don’t look like “church” but carry the heartbeat of God.
Obedience is following God even when the calling does not fit a conventional mould.
That is the journey He placed me on.
Ministry in Many Shapes
People often wonder how I wear so many hats and whether they connect Freedom Ministry, advocacy, prayer, immigration justice, one-to-one support, mentoring young girls, training the next generation, guiding families, and raising my own children.
And God showed me:
“It all connects because I called you to all of it.”
Every role is part of the assignment.
Not one part is random.
Not one season is wasted.
Not one responsibility is separate from the calling on my life.
When I took time out for my children, that was ministry.
When I travelled with Tasha just to be present and listen, that was ministry.
When I trained Tanaka in law and guided him through his struggles, that was ministry.
When I counselled Tino about his future, that was ministry.
When I strengthened my husband in business, prayed for him, and spoke wisdom over his vision that too was ministry.
When my little niece runs to me and demands my attention during half-term, and I pause everything just to pour love, affirmation, and confidence into her that is ministry.
Ministry is not always a sermon.
Sometimes it is presence.
Sometimes it is guidance.
Sometimes it is advocacy.
Sometimes it is listening.
Sometimes it is correcting with love.
And often, it is simply showing up where God places you.
The God Who Goes Beyond What We Imagine
There have been many moments when I look at what God has entrusted to me and I think, Lord, how is all this connected?
But then I remember:
“Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think…”
(Ephesians 3:20)
God often calls us into places our minds did not expect.
He stretches us beyond our training, beyond our comfort, beyond our logic.
Why?
Because the calling is bigger than what we can understand.
And His plans for us are always greater than what we imagined for ourselves.
The work I do today in community, in ministry, in justice, in prayer, in family is far beyond the little picture I once had of ministry.
But it is exactly the picture God had all along.
A Final Reflection
I’ve learned that ministry is not confined to buildings or titles.
It is a life poured out in obedience wherever God sends you.
Raising children is ministry.
Supporting your spouse is ministry.
Mentoring is ministry.
Advocacy is ministry.
Legal work with compassion is ministry.
Prayer is ministry.
Encouragement is ministry.
Presence is ministry.
God takes all our roles, all our experiences, all our gifts, and weaves them into His purpose.
And as we follow Him, He reveals “great and mighty things we did not know,”
and leads us into places “exceedingly, abundantly above” anything we ever asked or imagined.
That is the beauty of calling.
That is the journey of obedience.
That is ministry.
