Transcript
Rick Strangway:
Welcome, everybody. Welcome to the Women in Leadership Collective webinar on stories of hope and our desires to be an encouragement. Ensuring stories of hope and gifting and calling in ministry as God has led some tremendously gifted women into ministry. My name is Rick Strangway. I've been a licensed alliance pastor here in Canada for over 30 years. I serve at Ambrose as associate professor of Pastoral theology, and I'm one of the co-hosts today. And with me is Morgan Paulson, who's also Morgan. Can you introduce yourself?
Morgan Paulson:
Yeah. So I'm Morgan Paulson. I am the student ministries pastor at First Alliance Church. I've been out in Calgary for about three and a half years now, and prior to that served in the Central Canadian district. And yeah, it's a privilege to co-host with you, Rick.
Rick Strangway:
It's a little bit more. Yeah. So today, our webinar is called stories of Hope. And with us, we have three women who are alliance pastors and leaders, and they're going to be sharing stories of encouragement and hope as they've journeyed with God in ministry and in their calling. And so I'm going to ask all of them to introduce themselves. And, Rebecca, we'll start with you.
Rebecca:
Hi, everyone. My name is Rebecca, and, yeah, as Morgan mentioned, I am an Alliance pastor. I serve at Midland Alliance Church in the lead role. Midland is about an hour and a half north of Toronto. If you're wondering where that is in the world that close to Georgian Bay and, the local church here, celebrated its 100th anniversary, this past year in 2025. So it's just really has a rich history and rich, you know, involvement in the community here. So that's who I am.
Rick Strangway:
All right. Sherrilyn, why don't you go next?
Sherrilyn Radford:
And I'm Sherrilyn Radford. I am an interim site pastor at the Bow Ridge site of Rock Point Church here in Calgary. And I've been a licensed pastor for five years now.
Rick Strangway:
Thank Sherrilyn. And, Amanda, last but certainly not least.
Amanda:
Thanks, Morgan. My name is Amanda, and I'm currently serving in the Eastern Canadian District as the director of new ventures and missions mobilization, amongst other things. My husband and I have been within the alliance for 19 years, all across Canada, actually. And, so it's great to be able to get to know people from every different district. But right now in our eastern Canadian district, we are enjoying the space of me serving at the, at the district level, helping our churches be as, you know, alive in the kingdom as possible. So that's been a great space for me to be in. I've been there for five years. Almost six, actually. And, I've just been loving it. So that's a bit about me.
Morgan Paulson:
So awesome. Thanks, Amanda. All right, well, let's jump into some of these stories of hope. Rebecca, why don't you go first?
Rebecca:
Sounds good. Yeah. So I'm really excited to be part of this webinar today, and I, I love the theme of hope. I think it's so important, you know, in every context for sure, but especially for women, women in leadership. I was I'm currently serving on the WRC team. And it's neat because I was, first involved with the research. I don't know if, you know, you were able to see that initial study done a few years ago, that research study. And to see now, you know, where this, team is and sort of where the the team is going in the future. I have great hope. So, it's it's neat and I have had this transformation over these last years, and that's what I want to share about today.
I love hearing people's testimony, hearing their stories, how God has moved in their lives. And I think we often think that our story might not be that interesting or that, you know, really, I need to share my story, but, God, really, God's hand really has been on my life or my family's life. And I just want to share a little bit about what the last few years have been like and and some of his, goodness. Not. And all about his goodness, really.
So I, stepped into ministry in my 30s. This was not, something I would have ever dreamed of or considered, in those years where you're trying to decide what you're going to do with your life. I always knew I wanted to be in some sort of a caregiving role. When I was really a young girl, I thought maybe I'd be a nurse or I'd be a doctor. And I did end up, being an occupational therapist. I went to I did health science. I did, occupational therapy and worked, in the medical, legal, world, in the rehab world for almost 15 years. Had a family. I'm married to an awesome guy named Sean. We have three boys, and it was only when I, you know, in my 30s, started to get this stirring or this sense in myself that, maybe God was doing something, and, he started to give me this stirring for the local church in a way that I had never experienced before.
And even before that, even before I got a sense that he might be calling me in into a different role. My husband and I had attended a prayer meeting, and I went forward for prayer. And, you know, the prayer ministry team came, and someone laid hands on me. And I really got a sense, you know, the Holy Spirit and felt this warmth and, and this person prayed and said, oh, you're going to preach in a way that people understand people. And I thought, this person's got it wrong. They don't know who they're praying for because I'm not in ministry. Maybe they assume that I am or preaching. Hey, are you kidding me? So this was even before I got a sense of my my calling that God spoke that word over my life. And and through that, that prayer ministry routine, which is pretty cool. Now, you know, looking back, and when I started to sense this calling, I was in a small group, and that's an encouragement. You know, discern in community. Don't don't, tackle these things alone. And, yeah, we would pray for one another. And I remember getting really honest with that small group and saying, you know, if God's calling me into ministry, he's going to have to give me a love for the church because, well, I, you know, I can do the things, and I have skills and abilities. I don't really love the church.
And I can remember, having this opportunity where I put that before the Lord in that group. And I said, well, Lord, if you're going to, you're going to have to give me your love for your church and what felt like, something I've just never experienced, that he poured out his spirit into me, where I just was filled to overflow for it with a love for his church. And I knew that he was at work, and that if he was calling me to move forward, that he was going to give me what I needed. And, he was his ways would become my ways, was absolutely what needed to happen.
So that was pretty that was a pretty neat, hope filled experience for me. So as this stirring was taking place in my life, I was very involved in this local church. My little church was my home church. We were good friends with, the pastor and his wife, their family. And suddenly there was a staffing transition. You know, a couple people left at the same time, and there was a gap, and they called us over and said, you know, oh my goodness, can you believe this is happening? And, I hadn't shared with them before what was happening in me. And I said, well, I'm just ready to step in wherever you want me, however you need me. Just just see what happens. You know, like, I'll be this after all the gaps. And so what started as a seven hour a week role, to be a band aid, you know, in that situation, you know, has grown to where I am today. And, you know, during that time, there was lots of moments of encouragement.
My senior pastor, just, encouraged me to pursue theological education. And I was someone that said, I am never going back to school like I've done six years of university, like I'm done, take more courses. Really? And, just happened at that time. The Central District had a a program called pathways, and I was like, just take a couple courses at a time, take you can do that. And, so I did that and started that program. And it's looking back, it seems like it all went rather quickly, which it did. But I have to be honest, that was hard because I was still doing my my career job, was working part time, three young kids, and on top of that was taking courses like, it's not fun writing papers on a Friday night where all you want to do is just not write a paper on a Friday night. So, what I encourage people now like young leaders to take a course. I tell them that it's not going to be easy, that there is this, idea of sacrifice and which is true, but with each course and each step forward, really get a sense of the Lord's hand. But I would say often I have no idea why I'm doing this. I have no idea what the purpose is. I can be a part time, person on church staff and not have theological education, so I don't know where, this is going, but I'm just willing to take, the next step.
Another sort of moment of hope is, so many of them came forward when I was willing to be prayed for. So that's an encouragement. Invite people to pray for you whenever there's an altar call, whenever there's an opportunity to be prayed for, when there's someone who's a little bit further along in the journey than you, who who says, like, let me pray for you. Jump at the opportunity. I went forward at a district retreat, and two people I really trust and respect, you know, laid hands on me. And I just really got a word because I said, you know, I just was looking for clarity about my path and where the Lord was leading me. And they just were sort of filled with, like, holy laughter and said, like, you know, you want control, you want to know, but the Lord knows the path. And that, his word is a lamp unto your feet and the light into your path. And while you might not see the entire path, he's going to illuminate enough for you to take the next step, the next steps.
And, so I would say that hope came like one step at a time, you know, one course at a time, one prayer meeting at a time, one encounter with the Holy Spirit at a time. One walk around the block with my husband at a time. One word of affirmation at a time, one outcome. And even getting through times of disappointment, you know, being able to persevere and get through to the other side, and seeing the Lord's hand, brought hope and, Yeah, the the whole, the whole journey was, is really, a culmination of many, many, many steps of prayerful steps of obedience and that. Yeah, we'll do that next thing.
So I went through the licensing process, the ordination process, and I was called to serve as an assistant pastor. And I began to work less hours in my other roles, and I began to see how God was using my skills and experience from that previous work. And those weren't wasted years. You know, sometimes I think, like, oh, I should have just gone into ministry right away. But certainly he has harness the experience of, you know, my work experience. And it's it's so well aligned. I thank God, that those were really formative years for ministry. So anyone who's in another, work career before, just remember, he can use it all. And he does, when the lead role became available at our local church, that is really when, the weight of the calling became, just stronger. So, just the time of discernment and prayer, just. We had to go deeper. I never thought I would ever consider applying for a role like that. I wasn't gunning for it, wasn't hoping for it, actually was trying to sidestep it. If I'm being honest, my other work was, a much more comfortable and easy path, and I knew that if I was going to apply, it would have to be the spirit of the Lord, who would say, you have to do this, or I'm calling you to do this? And, yes, it's a heavy burden that you wrestle with. You know, my husband and I, we wrestled together. You consider, like, how is this going to affect our kids? Are we going to mess up our kids? Right. How are we going to manage this? Is the church going to split if they actually hire a woman? You know, these are things that you, we, wrestled with.
And I knew that I wouldn't make the move without, my husband getting a real sense of peace about it as well. So while I was discerning and, I really just ask the Lord, like, you know, you need to speak to Shawn. You need to, make it clear to him that the calling is really on us, you know, as a couple, as a family. And when it became clear to him, it was it was just great for our marriage, I have to say, we really grew as a couple as we sought the Lord together, and, Yeah. And then, you know, coming into the new roles, there was so much love, so much support, but there was turbulence. I'd be lying if there wasn't some turbulence. And, without getting into all the details, because we don't have time for that today. What I really learned through that process was that we are called to bless those who hurt us, you know? And, I've just time and time again, as you know, hurt happen, pain happens. You know, hurt people hurt people. But we can bless them. And, you know, as we, walk our dog around our neighborhood, and things come up and hard things come up and they continue to we just bless the people and pray for them and ask for the Lord's wisdom. And, yeah. So that's that's a part of my story. And I would just be so happy if anyone else, you know, resonates with that. And you want to connect later. I'm available, just to be a resource. And I hope that that's brought some hope, to each and every one of you.
Morgan Paulson:
Thanks, Rebecca. I think it's so cool how, in your words, you started as a as a band aid. And now you're serving in this lead position. And just this journey that God has taken you on has been so incredible. But as you said, like the Lord, like, step by step or womb into your path in this life, all of a sudden the runway is clear and here she goes. It was this faithful, perseverance, that you had. And, the seeking the Lord and saying, Lord, you need to give me a love for your church, Lord. Like I'm really comfortable where I am, like, you're going to have your spirit's going to have to lead me in this. And so, yeah. Thank you for sharing. It's definitely an encouragement to me. Sherilyn, why don't you go next?
Sherrilyn Radford:
Thank you. As I said before, I'm Sherilyn and I have live in Calgary. I've been here for quite a long time now. I am a mum to two boys in their 20s. They still both live at home as they're finishing up their university. And I also am married to an awesome guy named Shaun. Just different one than Rebecca's time.
So I thought I'd tell you a little bit about my journey. I was so excited to be asked to be part of this, because I do have a story of hope, and it's a 25 year journey, to a calling that I understood from a very early age. I felt like I was called into ministry. And it's really solidified around the time I was 11 or 12. But my mom tells me that by the time I was 4 or 5, I would stand on the picnic table in our neighborhood, in our backyard, and sing nothing but the blood so that I could evangelize the children around us. The various neighbor kids, I wanted them to know about Jesus. So I think one of the best ways to do it was to get up on the picnic table and sing that probably scared them all off, but it was first inclination of my desire to serve Jesus.
But the reality was, I was raised in a very strict fundamentalist Baptist church, in the 70s and 80s. And so the options for me, if I wanted to be in ministry or to be a missionary or a pastor's wife, even back then, I was a little bit of a rebel, a little bit of a feminist. So I chose missionary because I didn't want to have to be beholden to any dude. And I was going to be in mission. So I began to lean towards being a Bible translator. But as a tradition, I was raised and really didn't put any emphasis on listening to God. We just told him what we were doing for him and hoped that he was okay with that. And it became more apparent to me as I began to study at Brier Crest and other places, that I was not called to missions as call to ministry, but not to missions.And the main reason was I'm quite significantly hearing impaired. I wear hearing aids, I lift read, I get by, I agreed to things I have no idea I'm going to because I smile and nod a lot. But I have enough trouble with native speaking people who speak English as their first language. After I took my first linguistics course, it became very apparent there was no way I could be a Bible translator. And that left my only avenue was to marry a pastor. Fortunately, I had met this cute guy named Sean and he was studying to be a pastor. So after a couple of years, we got married and I was set. I was going to be a pastor's wife. And I've got to tell you, I loved being that pastor's wife. I loved that part of my ministry. I love sharing with him. I love serving with him. I loved listening to him as he did his research. He did his master's and his PhD, and it was a great part of my life. I learned a lot.
However, it wasn't a great part of his life. Again, we grew up in a tradition where we didn't listen. We just told guys what we're going to do. And unfortunately, he was around Peg trying. So hard to fit into a square hole. And he tried and he tried and it just wasn't working. We moved. We tried all kinds of different things, but it wasn't where we were called to be. So 11 years in of trying, he left a ministry. Took up a different job, which absolutely was the best job for him. He was called to be a police officer. He's been one for almost 18 years now, and definitely in the role he is supposed to be in, but that left me. I was just a teacher now. I just had no real options. So I leaned in to lay ministry. I was on every council you could find at whatever church we were at. I was involved in women's ministry. I was involved in children's ministry. I love serving, and along the way we stopped attending the Baptist churches that we were so familiar with.
And we went to an Alliance church for the first time. And for the first time I heard a female preach. I heard Karla or Saint Draper preach, and that changed my absolute trajectory. I realized, oh, women can do this. That's pretty cool. And I began to understand that God calls women to a variety of different options. But I continue just to lean into my lay ministry. I taught I homeschooled my kids for a couple of years, and then one Sunday morning we were sitting in church and my husband very gently nudged me in the ribs with his elbow, maybe not quite so gently, and said, hey, look, Rock point is hiring a children's director. And I happened to be looking for work. I had just finished, homeschooling my kids, and I was teaching and subbing, and it wasn't fitting. It wasn't going well.
And so I thought, well, I'll fight for this position. And in January of 2020, I was hired as the full rich children's director. And in April of 2020, I was laid off from being the average children's director because Covid had hit and the church had doubled down and let go of non ministry staff, and I was like, Jesus, what are you doing? I finally get to do what I think you've called me to, and this door has shut. And that was a hard time for me and for many long walks in the hills. I mean, there is nothing else to do. So I would head out and go for a walk in the hills of Catherine where we live, and just prayed, said, I think I'm supposed to be doing this.
And Jesus made it very clear to me that my job was simply to walk through the open doors as they were open, and then to rest and trust him, as I had for the last 20 years, that he would work things out. So I decided that I was going to stop fussing at them. And that was hard to do because I'm good at fussing. But I decided to stop fussing at my Savior and just rest. And in January of 2021, I was hired again, and this time it was a full time position, part time children's and part time curriculum. And so I stepped through that door. And then because I was full time, someone said, you need to get licensed. And I'm like, oh, I gotta do that. That doesn't sound very fun, but I call you, you don't have any choice. And I remembered I'm not supposed to be walking through open doors. So I walk through that door. But I was very hesitant. And I said, well, I'll just get my non portable because I don't need anything else. I'm I was just a girl. What can I do?
And so I walked through that door reluctantly. And that licensing interview again changed my trajectory. Apparently I did well enough that they offered me a part of a license and two of the gentlemen on my panel, because that day it was just guys and me said, hey, we'd like you to lean into your teaching gifts. At which point I said, what? Teaching gifts? And they're like, well, you almost preach this a sermon as you were answering your questions. And so we really see in you, we want to affirm in you that you can do this.
So I said, okay. And then someone said, how about ordination? Am I oh no, no. And to offer ordination I'm I was 45. I hadn't done any schooling since I graduated in my 20s. What am I supposed to do for ordination? But I looked around at all the younger women around me here at Rock point and in other ministries, and they thought, maybe I am called to do this for them, to make that road easier for them.
So I thought, well, if that's what I'm supposed to do again, it's an open door. I will walk through it. So I walked through that open door, wrote papers like Rebecca said, went back to school, wrote papers for the first time in 25 years, had to figure out how to preach. I had never taken some theology, and I'd been my husband's research assistant, as he did his PhD in harmonics. But I never preached so I read eight books, and if my first sermon leaned into it, probably scared my entire congregation, but leaned into it anyway. Walking through that open door.
And very soon I was asked to be the associate pastor at Bow Ridge. And so a part time children's, part time associate. Four months later, our senior well at the site, pastor developed long Covid and had to go off on long term disability. And our executive pastor came to me and said, would you be interested in leaving Bow Ridge? And it was an open door. I said, Jesus, I want to walk through every open door. So I did, and for the last two years, I have been leading the most amazing congregation. Bow Ridge is fabulous. They are so close to my heart. It has been my absolute delight to lead them.
And to be able to develop my preaching gifts. They have been so gracious to me as we walk together, learning together, we were even able to shift our Saturday night service, which was no longer being well attended, and we stepped out in faith as a congregation and invited our neighbors. In the lower income areas, both the mobile home development and in, our neighborhood of Bo'ness to come join us once a month on a Saturday night together. And we have 130 people who have no knowledge, the most of them no knowledge of Jesus, no background. And they are leaning in to coming to dinner to hear about Jesus and it is a delight to be able to share and lead both my regular, average congregation and this congregation from the community who are just beginning to encounter.
Now, my story is a little bit different than some of you, in that my husband and I are not partners in our ministry. My husband still has a lot of hurt, left over and things to process on his own from his time in ministry. As we know, ministry can be hard and difficult, so I serve on my own. I my husband doesn't even attend our site. He attends another side of, Rock Lane. And when I was getting ordained, I remember saying to my mentor, I don't know if I should be doing this because I don't have a partner. It's not the same as I see for so many. And she said to me, Sherilyn, Did Jesus call you? I said, oh yeah, definitely. Jesus called me to ministry. She's like, do you think he knew what your life was like?
And I remembered, yes, he knows it all. So from then on, I have leaned fully into a life that doesn't look like other pastors. That's a little bit different, but God calls each of us to a specific time. And this last year I have had Esther for 14 spoken over me by three different people that don't know each other, reminded me that I have been called to forage for this time for such a time as this, and as long as I am faithful and walk through the doors that he has opened for me, he is with me. He is good. This guiding me all this way. And I don't have to worry about what's ahead. I can just lean in, walk through the doors as he opens them for me. So thank you for being here to hear my story today.
Morgan Paulson:
Cheryl, and thanks for sharing with us. I, yeah, I just hear through your story like it's so evident that Jesus has called you, and I mean, he called you from when you were a little girl. Dance or, like, singing on the picnic table to, evangelize to your friends and share the good news. Right through wondering, you know, what is my calling look like? And, I just see, how you were faithful through walking through those doors for all of these years. And it wasn't some a calling that came about really fast. There was this patience, I think that, the Lord was teaching you through that. But to see how, he's brought you to the place that you are, and affirmed you along the way through different people speaking into you and saying, like, I think you have this gift. You've got to press into it. That's such a cool thing. And, yeah, an inspiration to us all. Especially those of us that feel like we're stuck in this season of waiting, to hear someone that has been in that season of waiting for even decades, and is doing what Jesus has called her to do and, and doing what he called you to do in each and every season to, is very cool. So thank you. All right. And, Amanda, why don't you share your story with us?
Amanda:
Awesome. Thank you guys. And thank you, Rebecca and Sherilyn already for sharing your stories. And I think when, when I was invited into this space of sharing hope and sharing stories of God's goodness, all I could think of was, if I'm going to listen to somebody speak, what do I want to walk away with? And I could think of all of these little nuggets of truth. And so as I listened to in our in our call last week, the team together here, as I listened to their stories, it was just everything resonated with all of these pieces of sort of tidbits, nuggets of truth, I guess you could say.
And so I just want to take maybe ten minutes to, sort of reiterate what's already been said, because God's already at work and, and, we could each go around and share a stories about how God has moved us and, challenged us and brought us to where we are. And I think that that goes without saying that God is good and he is always faithful, even when situations feel rough and tricky and difficult. But so I just want to weave together some themes, I guess you could say, and some nuggets of truth that you guys can walk away with.
So there's just a few here. So number one, God is in every season. And I think, you could sense that in both Rebecca and Sherilyn stories. You know, Rebecca started off in a completely different field. Sherilyn started off in a completely different field, not really knowing where God was calling them yet. God used all of their experiences. And when you think of, you know, even even David in the Bible, Old Testament and how God used all of the things that he ever went through so that he could one day be king and lead God's people. And so I think of all of our stories, if you look at every season that you've been in, every experience that you've gone through is a stepping stone.
And I think of some of the hard things specifically that I've gone through that God has used in incredible ways. And, and these are things going back ten, 15 years. When, just a little story. My husband and I had two miscarriages and I didn't know who to turn to. And so I found a friend that was five time zones away saying, I need to talk with somebody. And she was somebody who understood because she had gone through that. And as I began to find healing in my own journey with God, I began to share with others that I had walked through a miscarriage. And so many people came knocking on my door saying, can you help me through my miscarriage? Can you help me, find healing in this? And and so I love how God uses even our brokenness and the things that we experience to help others, in their in their brokenness, to experience God and to experience the things that you've experienced and I'm sure we all have stories like that, but something just really cool.
And this is just like an added bonus to the to this webinar, a friend was telling me about this concept of holy justice and I hadn't really thought about. I mean, to me, justice is like, okay, you're getting what? What's coming to you? You know, like people getting thrown in jail for doing bad things. That's what I think of when I think of justice. But this holy justice, as in God is setting things right. And, as I look over my story, specifically the one where my two babies are in Jesus's arms, and, I mean, he's blessed me with four other kids, three boys. Rebecca, I understand three boys. That's a lot. Anybody else have, like, multiple boys? It's really stinky in my house all the time. We have deodorant around every corner because you just never know.
Anyways, the, the story that I wanted to share is this. This picture of holy justice when, you know, Jesus is holding my two babies in heaven, and one day I know I'll get to meet them. But recently, he's asked me to step out in faith and pray babies into existence for other people. And, I've been able to to pray, and I've had incredible opportunities to to pray over people that have been women who have been infertile for over ten years. And within two months they're pregnant. And it's just incredible the power of, just being able to witness this holy justice. Like, like there's at least five babies in this world that, I just asked Jesus for. Now, I don't know what that looks like. Again, this is a concept I'm still learning and walking through, but is that God redeeming? Something? And I know that God didn't cause the miscarriages. You know, Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy. And God brings life. And so. So what part of that story is the holy justice? Anyways? Sorry. I'm preaching. Moving on.
So God is in every season and and I think it's really important to seize the opportunity of the season that you were in when I was a mom with, so I started off in children's ministry. Then I became the the pastor's wife. And then I became the stay at home mom because I had three babies under four and pregnant with another. And so when I was at home as a stay at home mom, I wanted to be in ministry. I knew God had called me to ministry, but I felt like it was like years away and I just felt like Jesus was saying, you can still do ministry. Go and start a moms group. And so, as we moved across the country at different places, different churches, I started over, I started three different moms groups and, walked with, moms in the same stage of life. Like, that's the that's the best place to be when you're able to walk with people that are in the same stage of life as you and so be present to the stages of life that you are in. And I think that as we are present, we are walking more into the calling God has for us in that season so that, you know, every season is a stepping stone into the next.
My second point of three, work for God, not for man. We could go over this until we're blue in the face. Many of us have experienced, church hurt. And many of us have been bullied by men and in ways that weren't intentional. Maybe some were. But we we want to. Like Rebecca said, we just want to bless people. And so we release all of that and we recognize that we are working for man. Sorry. We are working for God, not for man. And and sometimes as we lean into our work for God, he calls out new identities in us. Has anybody ever experienced that where you lean into something that God is wanting you to do and then he is speaking over you, a new identity? And so, oh, I see that nod melody. Yep, yep.
And so I think that for me, God was calling me to again, we're going to talk about ordination. Anybody currently in the ordination track one okay. This is this for you. This is encouragement directly for you. Melody. When God calls you to do something like pursue your ordination, it's a little bit, intimidating. And so I said to Jesus, I don't want to do that. Like, I don't need a title to tell me that I'm called, that I'm a child of God, that you have ordained me to do your work. I don't need that title. And Jesus said, well, actually, it's not about the title. It's about you serving me and walking in obedience and oh, Penny, you're here. Penny was in my ordination call, and and then she got to, like, chat with me, and she led me through some pennies. Amazing. Guys. If you don't know Penny, get to know Penny.
So. So I felt like God was saying, yeah, pursue your ordination because I have a new identity for you. And, it just so happened I was in the middle of a lake in a kayak, and I'm, like, wrestling through with Jesus. I don't want to do this. And he's like, but I'm inviting you to. And like Sherilyn said, every open door needs to be walked through. And so I said, okay, if I go through this, like, what? What what are you what are you telling me? And all I heard was these words, you are tall. Now. If anybody knows me, you know that I am not tall. I am five foot. And and I was done growing because Jesus said that's all she needs. And so at five foot, Jesus says to me, you are tall. And I'm like, excuse me, sir, are you confusing me with somebody? But he says, no, you are tall. And that's why I've called you to be a reverend. Okay, I'll walk through that door. I was serving God, not man. And when you serve God, he calls out new identities in you.
Point number three. And I think Rebecca and Sherilyn both referenced this in many different ways. There's so many relational pieces that are needed, in ministry. And, and one of the things that we get to do as seasoned workers, we get to admire others out loud. And I think it's a great thing to just admire people out loud. And and also, I think it's a great thing in your admiration not just to speak out and say like, jenica, your hair is amazing today. It looks great. But to say, you know what Jenica, I bless you today to receive the love of the father because he loves you so much and and so in our admiration for others, were actually blessing them and leading them closer to the father.
Now, this so, so as seasoned leaders, we get to do this. Even as new leaders, we get to do this. And I would encourage you, and by seasoned leaders, I mean anybody who knows anybody that's a leader, like all of us are leaders. And I think it's it's safe to say that if you, if God has done a work in your life, you have the opportunity to pass that on. And so when you admire others outloud, you are passing on hope. You are passing on joy. You are passing on encouragement. And so you never know what your words might mean to somebody else. So I encourage you, no matter what the stage of life, no matter if it's somebody that's older than you, that you want to bless, or somebody that's much younger than you that you want to bless, God will use your words. If you're faithful to declare them over someone and affirm them, especially if you love listening to the Holy Spirit and he's given you a prophetic word for someone. I think Rebecca would testify to this. A prophetic word goes a long way. So, be listening with your with your ears, be listening with your heart, and find the person that you need to to bless, and admire.
And one final point that I want to make. And then, Morgan, I'm going to hand it back to you. Is that, we are created to live in relationship. And yes, that means blessing each other out loud and admiring people out loud, but it also means asking for help when you need help. And it also means not going alone. It means finding your tribe. It means finding your people. Maybe you find them, in a teacher at school. Maybe you find them, at work and colleagues. Maybe you find them down the street at your kid's school. Find people that you can do life with. Even. Even God lived in community with the with, the son and the Holy Spirit. So that is, a beautiful reference to how we need to live in community.
You know, I just went straight to the top. I didn't even talk about anything in the Bible. I just went straight to God. If he lived in community, how much more do we need to live in community? So if you're struggling, if you need help, if you need support, if you are in need of even just someone to pray with you, it doesn't matter who it is on this call. Reach out to somebody. We're going to leave our emails. I think, in the chat. Morgan, I'm stealing your thunder. We're going to leave our emails in the chat. If you want to reach out to any of any one of us, Rebecca, Sherilyn or myself, we would be happy to. To pray with you, jump on a call and chat with you. Or talk to anybody else that you know, in ministry near near you or five time zones away. It's. Yeah, Ministry is hard, and we need people. So find your people. If you haven't found them yet and allow yourself to be blessed by them. So thank you guys for letting me share some little tidbits. And, back to you.
Morgan Paulson:
Thanks, Amanda. I know I don't really know you, but I just feel like I can tell that you live by the things that you just shared with us. And I really appreciated when you talked about brokenness, and how the Lord meets you in brokenness, but then uses that brokenness to meet other people in those spaces of their brokenness. I think that that is such a powerful thing and is such a, beautiful ministry because these are these vulnerable pieces of you that you then get to share with others, and you get to dwell in this vulnerability together, and walk through these really difficult things together, as you said, like, we need community and we need to find our people.
And yeah, I just really appreciated even what you were talking about, about holy justice and, this redemption and this, stepping in and praying for babies, to be born into the world and just seeing how God has answered those prayers, and have how that has come out of your own broken season. That yeah, that just that really encouraged me. And so, yeah, thank you for sharing that.
One of the things that I noticed from all of your stories is that idea about, like, God being with us in different seasons. And I know, like for you, Sherilyn, it was this long season of waiting and asking like, Lord, I feel called, but what does that mean in my life? And, for you, Rebecca, like you start you came into ministry in your 30s and you had this established career and, and, you know, you're kind of following God through all these seasons. Then for you, Amanda, too, like, you were a pastor and then a stay at home mom, and then, leading women's groups, and now you're leading with the district. And so it's, all of these different seasons and I think, for all of us, regardless of who we are, I feel like we can all resonate with that because we all have these ideas of where we'd like to go but don't know how we're going to get there, or how does this piece of my life factor in?
And, yeah, I know for myself, like, I have these great ideas, but I'm like, well, what if this happens or this happens? Or, and just hearing your stories about how you faithfully pursue God and say, you know what, I'm just going to walk through this door. I'm going to walk. Take this one step. It was just a really. Yeah. Beautiful reminder for me at least, that, our journey with the Lord is is one step at a time. And sometimes he might throw in something that we don't expect, but he uses those experiences. Every one of them. Even the hard one. For for his purposes and for his glory. So, yeah. Thank you guys. And thank you also for just sharing about your families and, and sharing with us so vulnerably about your lives.
Yeah. One of the things that it's evident to me is that God has been so kind to all of your families, regardless of your situation. I mean, I know, Sherilyn, you shared that, your husband doesn't serve with you in that typical sense. Typical sense? I guess you want to call it typical, but, he supports you in your calling and your ministry. And I think that is such a beautiful thing in and of itself. And for you, Rebecca, like that sense of, I don't know how this is going to affect my kids and my, my marriage. And yet that discernment process that you went through brought you closer together.
And and for you, Amanda, too. I know that you've had. Yeah. Just you have four boys, you know, three boys, one girl, three boys and one girl. And, you have a husband who's served in ministry as well. And, God has led you through a lot of different seasons as well and been so faithful to your family, even in the midst of hard things. And so, Yeah. Thank you all for sharing. Do any of you have any last things that you want to leave us with, or were there any questions? Joanne, in the chat. No, let me questions at this point. Go ahead. Rick.
Rick Strangway:
Yeah, I was just going to jump in and then I'll like, flip it back, like you're saying Morgan to, to three storytellers. But I just hear in those narratives, like, the beauty of God's grace and goodness and, I think, you know, no matter how we frame it, whatever we think of the gospel and the and the bigness of the gospel, macro Jabara talks about the idea of God enters into, the world in darkness and pain and brokenness and sin and like in, in like what is highlighted again and again. I heard Morgan highlighted and I and I agreed with it. That sense of God is good and he. But his goodness shows up in difficult places or moments or challenge or struggle or loss or lament and all that kind of thing. And that's the good news. I mean, that's where the Christian hope comes from when it's we see the richness that comes out of that in a sense dark struggle or that difficulty or that season of uncertainty or whatever. So I just applaud each of you for being so authentic and real, and every story is always a gift to another. And it's so well received here. So thanks for that. But yeah, love to hear from from the three of you. What you think?
Sherrilyn Radford:
I was struck as I was listening to the other stories and then just marketing, wrapping up that God redeems at all. There's nothing he can't restore. Bring to beauty. Again, we live in such a broken world. But to hear, like Amanda, stories of using her miscarriages for this divine justice and to hear Rebecca saying, well, all the stuff I did in my previous career was pointing out it's useful. It's helpful. And so it just reminds me that no matter what circumstances we are in, it's not that God causes. And it's not that he's happy with the sadness that we're walking through, but he can redeem it and he can restore it. And that is the beauty. That's the hope that we all live in.
Rebecca:
Yeah. Good. Yeah. I would just add, you know, I'm hearing other people's stories and even reflecting on my own story, it's helpful to look back because, you know, we often live our day by day with, like, a micro lens, right? We're experiencing what we're experiencing. You know, we have the feelings of today, the the reality of today. But when you look back and when you see the bigger picture, you know, you sort of, zoom out and see, you know, where you were and where you are and, you know, maybe where you're on your way to and think, wow, like, God's hand was really, there. And he really did guide me. And he really was faithful. And, he really did see me through those harder times or seasons and it's encouraging, right? That's the hope that we can cling to, to move forward because hard things will happen again. Right? We'll be in those, those tougher seasons. But to look back and to see, you know, his character and his face and his smile upon your life is just, it's it's hope for the future.
Amanda:
And, my my my, encouragement, I guess, or my, what I, what I heard in each of our stories was that we all wrestled a little bit with not just our calling, but ordination a little bit. And, or maybe just like, what does it look like to be ordained? And what does it look like to be an ordained woman in ministry? And is this going to cause church split? Is this going to cause, marriage struggles? Is this going, like, what? What does this mean? And I am curious, and maybe this is just a question for the the room. Those of you who have pursued ordination, did you struggle with what it meant to pursue ordination or. Yeah. I wonder what that what that walk looks like for other women? Because it's not I mean, it's 2012, right? That was when women were. Penny, you would know these numbers. I think that's when when we were allowed to be ordained. And I allowed, you know what I mean? And I think that, since then, there's been many of us who have walked this journey, but it it hasn't been easy for all of us. So I'm curious if others have, I don't know, experience with wrestling with your calling and your ordination.
Melody:
Not Penny. Melody. I for for. Me, I would say no. I think. Other people have. More, maybe more. Wrestle. With that than I did. I never did wrestle with Amanda. No, I, I as a child, when God called me to missions, I was seven years old and I was called to missions. And in a sense, I knew that somewhere along the line, God gave me the the assurance that somewhere along the line that was I was going to be confirmed in ministry by people, by the church. Yeah. And, God confirmed his call to me. But then later on, and it really didn't matter to me whether they confirmed me or not, because I knew that God had called me. Yeah, yeah. But eventually it came about and the patience to an ordained me.
Amanda:
Gracious. Oh, Penny, you probably did your ordination in like seven different languages, right?
Penny:
I did it in English.
Amanda:
There you go.
Penny:
Because the group that that. Interviewed me, they spoke English.
Amanda:
And Melody, you were the same. You just felt like it was God ordained it or danger ordination. God called you to it. And there was no, real wrestling.
Melody:
Well, Honestly, I just sense that if you're called to ministry, why wouldn't you be called to be ordained? I, I think I. Just, Not coming from an alliance background. I was coming. From a background where I wasn't either taught in favor or against, like, coming from a Pentecostal background. And so my sense of calling happened before I was, initiated. To the. struggles of the church. Over women in leadership. And I think so, I was. In a sense, completely oblivious. To that. So. I think my. Sense of the initial sense of calling. Was coming from. Yeah. Was void of those of those questions. And so although I did wrestle about. You know, can I actually be a pastor. Once I. Was about 18 or. 19 when I was first. Sort of. Initiated. to this sort of. Debate within the church. But once that was resolved, that wasn't. Really much of an issue for me. I think the issue is more being patient with people who, maybe aren't there. Yet and are just like. Making the process a little bit slow or whatever. So yeah.
Amanda:
Yeah, we're struggle.
Morgan Paulson:
Yeah. Jessica, I saw your hand. You have something to share?
Jessica:
Yeah, I just have, Oh, yeah, I know we're close on time. Is that okay? Yeah. Go for it. Okay. Just quickly, just a different perspective because all of our stories are different. I've been in ministry. I've been. I'm an associate pastor role now. And I've been doing this for 11 years in our church, and I love it. And I know I'm called and I trust all that. My husband has some church shirts, so I can kind of relate to some of the things you shared. And he was a pastor's kid, and one of his things that was a really big deal for him was that he said, if we do this, we will not sacrifice our kids on the ministry, on the altar of ministry. Absolutely. And part of what that has looked like for us is me holding off on ordination. It does feel like a bit of a sacrifice, but I also sense God's grace in it and at the time is coming. It's something I want. It's something that I will do. But I am waiting, and I've kind of started to like, oh, maybe it's time and like, step into that. And then one of my kids has something come up and it's a, it's a thing and it's just okay, it's not quite the time yet. Right. And so, it's a different perspective. But if there's anybody listening that, that maybe doesn't have the same experience that other people are having here, I just wanted to share that because, yeah, we just have different paths and Jesus is in it, like you guys have said. Right. So I just wanted to share that it's coming and I'm going to do it.
Amanda:
Yeah. Thanks for sharing, Jessica. And I do. I bless you in the waiting because sometimes we need to be, reminded that waiting is a holy, sacred space as well. So I bless you to know God's peace in the waiting.
Jessica:
Okay. Thank you.
Amanda:
Sorry I took over.
Rick Strangway:
Good. Okay. Thanks. Jessica and Melody and Penny and especially a big thank you, from Morgan and I, to Rebecca, Shirley and and, each of you for, sharing Amanda as well. Sorry. But we're grateful for these stories. And as we wrap up, I'll just highlight this at assembly. If perchance you're coming, here to Calgary, where I am, where it's always sunny, and the Canadian Rockies are amazing. We have, holy grit, growing and resilience kind of morning seminar conference for women in leadership collective from across the alliance and Canada. We'd love you to be there. It goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Alliance Church. You can register through the, General Assembly kind of website or speakers and Miranda from Peace Portal, Alliance Church. Amazing. Gifted. Speaker, we'll have a chance to have a little bit of a panel discussion over our lunch time and pray for one another. So I encourage you, if perchance you're able to be at assembly, we'd love you to connect on that. And just, the importance of this conversation on a number of different ways I can say in a classroom, when people like you, stand up and preach or teach or lead or speak into a young woman's life again and again, I hear the reality of someone say what was said earlier. I never knew a woman could preach until I saw that person stand up or, you know, multiple different ways of expressing that. So thanks for stepping in and sharing your story to each of you, for each of you and your calling and what God's, called you to in this time, in this place where you are. May, as the psalmist says in Psalm 23, May the goodness and mercy, of the Lord follow you each and every day of your life. God bless.