HEARING THE CALL
I grew up in Minot, North Dakota, as part of the church. I was taught about the sacrifice Christ made for me, but I did not have a relationship with him. During this time, I learned how to look like a good Christian so that I wouldn’t ruffle any feathers. I learned all the right answers. I knew how act like a Christian, but had no saving faith whatsoever.
It was during a Free Lutheran Youth Convention in Estes Park, Colorado when I was 16 that God finally got a hold of me. During worship one night God made it clear to me that I was a wretched sinner deserving of nothing but eternal death. He also made clear to me that the sacrifice of Christ was the only thing that could pay the price for my sin. I ended up falling apart. I wept because of my sin, and I wept because of the goodness of God. I went to the convention that year a sinner, and left a sinner saved by the grace of God.
Shortly after coming to an assurance of faith, I felt a call into ministry. What Christ had done for me was so incredible, I wanted to share it with others. At first I didn’t really have any idea what God was calling me to, but over time he gave me a heart for teens and young adults. There have been many times during my last ten years that I have not wanted to do ministry, but it seems that no matter how hard I try to do something else with my life, God won’t release me from his call on my life.
FOLLOWING THE CALL
I began preparing for a life in ministry by attending the Association Free Lutheran Bible School. I received a Certificate in Biblical Studies and went back Minot, taking a position as a part-time youth minister. The next year I married Gretchen, moved to the Twin Cities, and began working on a bachelor’s degree in ministry from Northwestern College. That degree led to a youth ministry position in Stacy, Minnesota. I then accepted a call as the director of youth and young adult ministries at Sidney LBC in Montana.
I loved youth ministry, but there in Sidney I discovered a passion for preaching. Whenever I preached, a man named Ray would tell me, “You’d make a great pastor.” I finally told him they would have to fire me before I would leave. Two years into my call at Sidney, I attended J-Term at LBS, and I knew it was time. It was painful to leave Sidney, but God was calling me to take the next step.
Gretchen, Seth, and I moved to Fergus Falls in the summer of 2011. God provided a youth ministry position, and the Sidney congregation has been very supportive spiritually and financially. I am learning to study the Word of God using Greek and Hebrew. I rejoice in God’s goodness to me in Christ.
Mike Hussey began his studies at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in 2011.
Hearing and Following the Call
HEARING THE CALL
I grew up in Minot, North Dakota, as part of the church. I was taught about the sacrifice Christ made for me, but I did not have a relationship with him. During this time, I learned how to look like a good Christian so that I wouldn’t ruffle any feathers. I learned all the right answers. I knew how act like a Christian, but had no saving faith whatsoever.
It was during a Free Lutheran Youth Convention in Estes Park, Colorado when I was 16 that God finally got a hold of me. During worship one night God made it clear to me that I was a wretched sinner deserving of nothing but eternal death. He also made clear to me that the sacrifice of Christ was the only thing that could pay the price for my sin. I ended up falling apart. I wept because of my sin, and I wept because of the goodness of God. I went to the convention that year a sinner, and left a sinner saved by the grace of God.
Shortly after coming to an assurance of faith, I felt a call into ministry. What Christ had done for me was so incredible, I wanted to share it with others. At first I didn’t really have any idea what God was calling me to, but over time he gave me a heart for teens and young adults. There have been many times during my last ten years that I have not wanted to do ministry, but it seems that no matter how hard I try to do something else with my life, God won’t release me from his call on my life.
FOLLOWING THE CALL
I began preparing for a life in ministry by attending the Association Free Lutheran Bible School. I received a Certificate in Biblical Studies and went back Minot, taking a position as a part-time youth minister. The next year I married Gretchen, moved to the Twin Cities, and began working on a bachelor’s degree in ministry from Northwestern College. That degree led to a youth ministry position in Stacy, Minnesota. I then accepted a call as the director of youth and young adult ministries at Sidney LBC in Montana.
I loved youth ministry, but there in Sidney I discovered a passion for preaching. Whenever I preached, a man named Ray would tell me, “You’d make a great pastor.” I finally told him they would have to fire me before I would leave. Two years into my call at Sidney, I attended J-Term at LBS, and I knew it was time. It was painful to leave Sidney, but God was calling me to take the next step.
Gretchen, Seth, and I moved to Fergus Falls in the summer of 2011. God provided a youth ministry position, and the Sidney congregation has been very supportive spiritually and financially. I am learning to study the Word of God using Greek and Hebrew. I rejoice in God’s goodness to me in Christ.
Mike Hussey began his studies at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in 2011.