A personal journey of service, identity, and hope
Introduction: The Beginning of Faith
I accepted the Lord when I was young. I did not understand everything, but I knew that God loved me and that Jesus was calling me to follow Him. That simple beginning shaped my life. Over time, my faith grew from childlike trust into a deeper walk with Christ.
Thirty Years of Ministry
Serving as a Christian minister for more than twenty years has been a great blessing. I have seen God change lives, heal hearts, and bring hope to people in hard places. I have also seen pain, resistance, and confusion. Ministry has taught me that people need truth, but they also need love, patience, and grace.
One thing that has often grieved me is hearing God’s name used carelessly or used to divide people. When this happens, I am reminded that God’s name is holy. I am also reminded that my response should not be anger alone, but humility, prayer, and compassion.
Christian Faith and True Identity
Christianity is not about a nation, a political group, or a label we wear. It is about being changed by Jesus Christ. The gospel calls us to become new people. In Galatians 3:28, Paul reminds us that in Christ our old divisions do not define us. We belong to God first.
Learning to Love Beyond Boundaries
Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love is not limited by race, religion, background, or politics. It calls me to lay down pride, old habits, and prejudice. It calls me to see people the way Christ sees them—with dignity, mercy, and hope.
The Call to Live for Christ
Paul wrote, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). These words remind me that my life is not my own. To follow Jesus means giving up selfish ambition, bitterness, fear, and pride. It means living in a way that helps others see the love of God.
Acts 17:26 teaches that God made all nations from one blood. This truth speaks against hatred, pride, and division. We are different in many ways, but every person is made by God and matters to Him.
Faith in Today’s World
When I look at the world today, I see many people using God’s name to support anger, exclusion, or violence. But this is not the love of Christ. Jesus showed us a better way. He welcomed the broken, touched the hurting, forgave sinners, and called His followers to be peacemakers.
The Greatest Blessing
The greatest blessing is not money, success, or status. The greatest blessing is knowing God and the power of Christ’s resurrection. In Jesus, I have found joy in hard times, peace in trouble, and hope that does not fade.
Conclusion: A Life of Love, Humility, and Hope
As I reflect on my journey of faith and ministry, I want my life to point people to Jesus. My prayer is to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and speak truth with humility. May we let go of old ways and embrace the new life Christ gives. When we live this way, the world can see the heart of God—a heart that welcomes, restores, and gives life.
Minister A Francine Green, August 2026