As I ponder the prompt question for this devotional, “What is the formal ministry God has called you to in an ongoing way for this season of your life?” I have to go back to the beginning. When I was 35 years old, I experienced a weekend called “Cursillo.” This weekend changed my life. I went from feeling isolated, alone, and sinful to experiencing God’s love in a powerful way. I was left feeling loved, important, and more confident about doing God’s ministry.
Since Cursillo, I have received a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I had discerned a call of helping others from many encounters with people that I met in my life. Since becoming a social worker, I am able to put arms and feet to the verse of the Bible that states, “What you have done to the least of these, have you also done unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Jesus said in verse 36 of that chapter, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.” In my current position at the VA, I walk alongside homeless veterans to find housing for them. I am there to provide supportive, solution-focused, mental health, and substance abuse counseling. I am there to help them complete documentation for food stamps, housing applications, and local charities. The VA provides their medical care, including mental health and substance abuse care. I am in the center of all of these services. Often I am able to witness to and pray with the veterans. To see them set free and turn their life and cares over to God as they can understand Him is a powerful part of my calling.
My experience is this, I am not the smartest person and I know that. I call on a team of other experts to fill in the gaps of my inadequacies. God has provided everything I need to do the ministries I am a part of. If you are called by God, He will open the doors necessary to complete that ministry. When I was first in ministry, we needed a van; God provided a grant to purchase a van. In Cursillo, I learned that God uses “cracked pots.” I am not perfect, I am not the smartest person, but God can use me and He wants to use you too. What is your passion? Use it to bring others into a relationship with Jesus.
Jeannie Bey
Jeannie is a founding member of Servants of Christ and has always encouraged those considering attending Anglican 4th Day weekends because of her experience with Cursillo (which is a similar-type weekend). She serves with her Community Group at Grace Marketplace. She has been a part of our children’s ministry, volunteering to teach and helping with events such as VBS. At the end of the day, Jeannie feels like her work is meaningful. When a veteran is in his home, warm and dry, and taking pictures to show his family how well he is doing, and sharing his thanksgiving to God for all he has accomplished, she feels a satisfaction like no other.