whoami

What does The Gathering Look Like?

Who Am I?

One thing I have not addressed is my credentials for ministry. Personally, I believe that no amount of Biblical study can ever make you qualified for ministry. Only Jesus and His call can ever qualify you for ministry. I have avoided this, because instead of myself, I would rather talk about Jesus. I don’t like to talk about myself, because I never want to exalt myself or seem arrogant. I hate arrogance with a passion. Arrogance will rob you of being everything God intends you to be. But, at the same time, I acknowledge that people need to know.

The Word has been a passion of mine ever since I re-dedicated my life 25 years ago. I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to study God’s word. The Bible says you study in order to show yourself approved unto God, not to man.

In 1997 I graduated from CLU Seminary and I graduated from Oral Roberts University’s MTDI program in 2003. I am currently studying at MorningStar School of Ministry by correspondence. I have an absolute passion to learn. I often, though, get things out of order and focus more on my studies than I do my relationship with God and there is a difference. Just being honest.

I was a missions director for five years and an associate minister of a church in Columbia, Mo. I was ordained in 2001. I have done prison ministry, fed the homeless, led a short term missions trip, prayed for the sick and seen them healed. I have prophesied over people and seen them cry like a baby and set free. I’ve done everything from clean toilets to baptize people. I’ve even done one funeral.

All of this being said, what does this mean? Absolutely nothing! Once, when Paul the Apostle listed all of his qualifications for ministry, he said they were dung. Phil 3:8 After trying to reason with the people on Mars Hill, he was sent away by them. After that, Paul committed himself to knowing nothing, but Christ and Him crucified. No one will ever make a logical decision to follow Christ and no one will ever go to heaven, because they don’t want to go to hell. Going to “church” will not give you a “Get Out of Hell Free Card”. It is only through knowing Christ will anyone ever get to heaven.

1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.

1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Cor 2:3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

I fully intend to commit my life to knowing Christ. I plan on studying His word all of my life, but I would rather be known like the early apostles.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

I want to see people marvel and see Christ exalted. Not me.

God Bless,

Dave