Special Night

Last night was a very special night for me. Last night September 19th I officially received my ordination as a minister in the Church of God Reformation Movement and I have to be honest - to me it's a big deal. See it's an accumulation of nearly 4 years of studying, reading, writing papers, and committing my life to a service of ministry in the congregation.
I know that a piece of paper inside a frame isn't going to make me a good preacher or a loving and caring pastor, and I know that the only one that really truthfully ordains an individual to preach the Word of God is God himself. But I do appreciate the fact that men and women in the Church of God Reformation Movement do not just hand out ordinations to anyone that comes along and says I want to be a preacher; I honor the fact that they take the time to look at the individuals, to look at their dedication, to look at their study ethic, and look at their lives, and then go into prayer in an effort to discern if this individual is truly called by God. Some people would disagree and say that's up to God only, but I wholeheartedly agree with the process of determining an individual's calling.

I would like to thank my family for their support and understanding of the time that I have spent in doing the requirements to receive my ordination.I would also like to thank the many people that have been praying for me over the past several years while I have been in the process of receiving my ordination. More than anything I would like to thank my Heavenly Father who has watched over me, helped me, and given me strength while working through this process.

One other thing that made last night very special to me was the fact that Pastor Rudd was the one who preached the ordination service and presented me with my certificate of ordination. Pastor Rudd has meant a great deal to me over the past five years and I would really like to thank him for all he has done for me, not just as an individual going through the ordination process, but as an individual now walking and growing with Christ.
Pastor Rudd, I thank you for: being a spiritual father for me, being a Christ-like example for me, being a preaching mentor for me, for being faithful to God's word as an example for me, for being willing to be the man God placed in my life to lead me to Christ, and more than anything for just being a friend to me.

Yelp, last night was pretty special, but that wasn't because it was a ending to some long process and now things are done. I know down deep in my heart it was special because it marks the beginning of a new section of the pathway that God has placed in my life. And I would like to say: Dear Heavenly Father - I'm willing to walk it (with You)!
Philippians 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain"

A servant of HIS,
John Deyton