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Waiting for the Call

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By Casey Prince
4/22/2008

For many years, I have had this feeling that I would be involved in some type of mission work, something more than just the occasional week-long trip with a church group. When I would attend conferences and they would ask those who are considering going into missions to stand up, I would stand. My heart would break when I’d see documentaries about the struggles that people are going through around the world

For many years, I have had this feeling that I would be involved in some type of mission work, something more than just the occasional week-long trip with a church group.

But when it came down to actually following this pulling of my heart, my wife and I kept putting it off, even though we really didn’t know why. Have you ever felt like you were missing out on something that God has dreamed for you by making excuses for why you can’t obey Him?

After my wife spent a few weeks in Uganda last summer, we decided it was time. We had no idea where we could go, whom we would partner with, or how long we would go—we just knew it was time to get up, move, and trust God to lead us. We had been waiting so long for that “divine e-mail” to tell us exactly when and where to go, when the whole time God was waiting for us to say that we were ready to follow Him, fully surrendered.

As we began to discern the place and period of time, God made Himself so clear to us. Our pastor had heard about an HIV/AIDS ministry in Cape Town, South Africa called The Living Hope Community Centre (www.livinghope.co.za). The ministry’s objective is to prevent and treat the spread of HIV while presenting people with the hope that comes in Jesus Christ. We wanted to plug into an established ministry where we could assist with work that was happening before we got there, and would continue long after we left. As the doors continued to open, we felt God leading us to Living Hope.

My wife and I learned that sometimes God is waiting for us to take the first steps. He had been pushing us to do this for so long, but we had to be willing to move forward and trust that He was going to meet us there. Is there a place in your ministry, family life, community, or elsewhere that God has been pushing and calling you? Could it be that He’s now waiting for you to take some steps before He shows you the rest of the picture?


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I am 45 and have been involved in youth ministry for as long as I can remember. The passion for youth is still there. I have seen young youth pastors that are inexperienced and not spiritually matured to be able to minister as God would have them do. Not all of them. You need to follow what God has put in your heart. Youth ministry is a needed ministry so desperate in this day and time. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have. May God bless you and anoint you greatly in youth ministry! God Bless

Steve 8:07:12am on 7/10/2008

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Dude - you are never too old. Each "age bracket" has it's pros and cons - build on the experience and maturity you have as a 40-year old.

Joy 8:04:32pm on 4/29/2008

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I have struggling with this same issue on God's call on my life to become a Youth Pastor. For over ten years I have been wrestling with this. These last few weeks there have been so many signs four in one day to obey the call. One of which a person in my church informed me that he had a vision of me preaching in front of our youth. Articles have been popping up left and right including this one which was on your home page as the leading article. My heart feels weighed down right now and I wonder if it is because I have been running. There have been other signs as well but to long to share. Please pray for me for moving forward after all I just turned 40 the other day and wonder if I am to old for this. In Christ, Rob

Rob Billingham 8:04:03am on 4/29/2008

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