Get ready! Get ready! Get ready!
In her critically acclaimed novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston writes, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I know this to be true in my own life and in my ministry journey. To be honest, the years that answer are far more comfortable than the years that ask questions, but both are necessary as God unfolds God’s plan for our lives.
The year 2007 was a year that asked questions as I answered my call to ministry and wondered, “What next, God?” The year 2010 was a year that answered as I graduated from Seminary, was ordained to the Gospel ministry, began my position as Assistant to the Pastor at the Bethesda Baptist Church, and married the love of my life, Joseph. The years 2012 to 2014 were years that did both as I settled into motherhood and wondered what my future in ministry would be like with two small children. The year 2015 was a year that answered as the Spirit led me into Clinical Chaplaincy to hone my pastoral competencies. The year 2018 was a year that asked questions as the Spirit reminded me of my call to Pastoral ministry. The year 2019 was a year that answered as I prayerfully responded to the Pastoral Vacancy Announcement for the First Baptist Church of Englewood and went through the process of interviewing via Skype, in person, and preached “Hope Does Not Disappoint” as a candidate. I thought 2020 was going to be a year that answered; I was invited back to FBC to preach and teach Bible Study and by early March was informed that I was the final candidate. And then COVID-19 hit, and like all of us, life was filled with nothing but questions. The years 2021 to 2022 had many questions, but the answer remained the same–God was calling me to be your next Pastor and I was to wait on Him and on the Church with good courage. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, 2023 has been a year that has answered; Serving as your Pastor is both a privilege from God and the confirmation of what the Spirit whispered in my soul four years ago!
For this reason, I am eagerly anticipating Installation Weekend! We are going to have a good time to the glory of God! I cannot wait to celebrate the faithfulness of God in the ministry of the First Baptist Church of Englewood! I cannot wait to praise God for answering your prayers, and mine. I cannot wait for my mentors, colleagues, and community to see what a wonderful church God has called me to! I cannot wait to be formally united as Pastor and People so we can continue the good work that God began in us! Family, I hope that you, too, are as excited as I am! In the words of Bishop T.D. Jakes, “Get ready! Get ready! Get ready!”
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah