How moving changed my perspective on being “called” to ministry

Before moving to Rhode Island two years ago, I lived most of my life in Florida. Jacksonville is my “hometown,” although I was born in Georgia. It was in Jacksonville that I surrendered my life to Christ and accepted His call to ministry.

Following God from Florida to Rhode Island

Armed with a two-year Bible degree back in 1998, I set off to fulfill my calling. I spent the next 20 years serving in various roles of ministry. It seemed as though the vocational ministry possibilities were abundant while living in Jacksonville. Many of my friends served in part-time or full-time ministry roles. In fact, I was probably in a subculture of Christianity called the “ministry bubble” without even realizing it. 

Now fast forward to our family moving to Rhode Island when my husband accepted a position as a church planting catalyst with the North American Mission Board. 

After months of praying and going through multiple assessments, we knew this was God’s plan for our lives. Although it was hard to leave Jacksonville behind, the call of God propelled us forward. I was excited to step into missionary life. There would be challenges, but I believed that I was well-equipped. I was ready to hit the ground running!

Dealing with old wineskins

However, something unexpected occurred. Not only did I bring my ministry experience with me to Rhode Island, but I unintentionally also brought my old wineskin. Not a literal wineskin, of course, but a metaphorical wineskin as described by Jesus. The old wineskin I’m referring to is my old way of doing things, a fixed mindset and my Southern perspective on life and ministry. 

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matt. 9:17)

The footnotes in my Life Application Bible provide insight on this metaphor: “Jesus used this description to explain that He had not come to patch up the old religious system of Judaism with its rules and traditions. His purpose was to bring in something new...The Gospel did not fit into the old rigid legalistic system of religion. It needed a fresh start...When we follow Christ, we must be prepared for new ways to live, new ways to look at people and new ways to serve.”

As I ponder this Scripture I also see that Jesus is constantly at work in our lives, renewing our minds to be able to handle new Kingdom assignments. 

When ministry looks different than you expected

I thought that moving to Rhode Island as a missionary was a spiritual promotion. Honestly, I envisioned myself spending hours a day praying, reading my Bible and participating in endless community engagement, resulting in anointed Gospel conversations. My old wineskin mindset had painted a picture of what my calling should look like. Well, I had a rude awakening. 

With the cost of living being higher in RI than FL, it became obvious that I would need to find work, sooner rather than later.  Again, my old wineskin mindset provided me with the assumption that I would be able to find a ministry job within the first year of living in Rhode Island. You know, a little part-time job that perfectly fits my family's schedule and utilizes my spiritual gifts. It’s a win-win-win, right? Those types of jobs are very accessible in Florida, so why wouldn’t they be in Rhode Island? 

Dream on!

I quickly realized that there aren’t many paid ministry jobs in Rhode Island. What’s a girl to do who only has a Bible degree and ministry employment on her resume? 

New wine requires a fresh wineskin!

Through prayer I felt drawn to become a teacher's assistant in the Rhode Island Public School System.  As I prepared for this career change I came face to face with my old wineskin belief around my calling.

Vocational ministry doesn’t fit in a mold

Intense feelings of fear and guilt arose within me as the new wine of my fresh calling was mixing with the old wineskin from my previous calling. You see, back in 1996 I heard the Lord “call” me into ministry. I have obeyed that “calling,” which has mostly included vocational ministry for the past 20 years. Now, however, I was preparing for the first time in my adult life to work a secular job. It felt like a betrayal to my “calling.” The gases inside my wineskin were expanding and I could feel myself ready to burst.  

But then, by the grace of God, I realized that I needed a fresh wineskin for God to pour new wine into, so that I can live out my “calling” in a new context.

The hardest part was getting over my pride, fears and old mindset in order to accept this new opportunity. Although I know being a teacher's assistant is a noble career, it is not “vocational ministry.” It was difficult for me to let go of “vocational” ministry status. 

But I have gained a new perspective through this process that fits my new calling, the calling of being a MISSIONARY. I now view being a teacher’s assistant as undercover ministry because I choose to see myself as a missionary wherever I go.

Since moving to Rhode Island I have had to learn new skills, develop new disciplines and adapt to a new environment in order to serve Christ where I now live.

To God be the glory, He led me to a job at a wonderful school. My hours and pay are a great fit for my family’s needs. I get to work with some amazing people that I otherwise would never have met. I am so grateful for the opportunity to show God’s love to my coworkers, students and their parents. 

An unexpected new ministry

As a missionary, I have found ways to use my spiritual gifts through partnering with NAMB, the BCNE and the local church. As fulfilling as these opportunities are to me, I still had a sense there was untapped ministry potential within me. I longed for God to use me to reach the lost and make disciples of women.  

At the beginning of this year I became aware of the need for a female chaplain in my area. I interviewed and accepted the job. It never crossed my mind that I would or could be a Marketplace Chaplain. But God, in His sovereign plan, heard my cry to be used by Him in a fresh way, in a new place! 

As the school year starts, I don’t know what my role as a teacher’s assistant will demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I am certain that God has gone before me to prepare the way, just as He has done so many times before. He has done more than I could think or imagine by providing me with two jobs! I’m thankful for BOTH which help me to live out my “calling” as a missionary. 

How Is God molding your mindset?

I’m sharing my story with you because I want to help prepare you for your current or next Kingdom assignment. Our God is a God of new wine. As the Life Application commentary says, “When we follow Christ, we must be prepared for new ways to live, new ways to look at people, and new ways to serve.” 

Each of us will need fresh wineskins not just once, but as many times as our callings takes us to new people and new places.  

If you are longing for God to pour out His new wine in your life, reflect upon and take these questions to God in prayer:

• How is Jesus at work in my life renewing my mind to be able to handle a new Kingdom assignment?

• In what area of my life do I need fresh wineskin so that I can live out my “calling” in my current or future context?

• Am I willing to learn new skills, develop new disciplines and adapt to a new environment in order to serve Christ where I now live or where I am headed? 

Dear friends, my prayer for you is that you will go through the process of transformation in your life that is required for your current or next Kingdom assignment. As the Lord pours in the new wine of His presence and anointing, you will not BURST but will FULFILL the call of God on your life! 

Katie Sullivan lives in North Kingstown, RI, and serves alongside her husband as a missionary with the North American Mission Board.