True Commitment

By: Leslie Ng, former Doulos member (Class of 2003)

Read: Matthew 16:24

Pastor Ben's ministry among youth began in 1999 during my freshman year in high school. The Youth Director had just stepped down and although Pastor Ben was working a full-time job at that time, he and a few young adults that had grown up in the church took up the reins of leadership. Pastor Ben continued to serve as a youth counselor when the church hired a Youth Director the following year and even when his job required him to work in Houston, he still remained devoted to the youth ministry at WCAC, flying back and serving faithfully at Youth Group each weekend.

His job eventually called him to Hong Kong for an extended period of time. While there he quickly found an opportunity to be a part of the youth ministry at a church and became very actively involved there. After some time, he returned to the States. The Youth Director at that time was called away from WCAC and Pastor Ben again decided to step into the role as youth leader during my senior year of high school. He eventually quit his job to attend seminary and pursue a full-time calling to his ministry at WCAC, where he has served so faithfully for so many years.

It has truly been a blessing to see how the Lord has led Pastor Ben on this journey and a privilege to serve under his guidance during these past 11 years. Throughout these years at WCAC, Pastor Ben has especially challenged me with his example of what it means to be a follower of Jesus whose life is marked by his deep commitment to serving the Lord. Following God's call requires us to be committed to a lifetime of service and this is a commitment that requires sacrifice and surrender--the surrender of our time, our possessions, our comfort, our future plans and careers, and our pride, among all else.

Are you truly committed to following Jesus and serving the Lord? If not, what is preventing you from full commitment? What aspects in your life still need to be sacrificed and surrendered to the Lord? Reflect and ask God to help you surrender these things.