I was 19 years old, walking into a classroom in the basement of the Administration building at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. It was in that room that a Credential Committee for the North Texas District was meeting and interviewing potential candidates to receive a license to preach.
To say it was intimidating would be an understatement. All I remember is sitting down and feeling like I was in the principal’s office with six Principal’s staring at me.
After a little bit of small talk, I was asked the question, “How do you know you are called to preach the gospel?” Maybe others had a clearer and more definitive sign from God, but I did not. I simply knew in my heart, that this is what I was called to do, preach the gospel. In my opinion, the attempt to convince this Credentials Committee of my calling was falling short. They followed with a few other questions, but finally asked me a question that I had no difficulty answering and I had no hesitancy in describing.
The question posed was, “What do I feel like God has called me to do, specifically?” I answered without delay, “I’m called to Pastor.” The follow up question came. “What kind of church do you see yourself Pastoring?” Again, with complete confidence I said, “I see myself Pastoring an interracial church, in a metropolitan area, of more than 2000 people. Silence fell in the room. No one spoke out to encourage my lofty dreams. Then finally the silence was broken by Dr. Paul Savell, who leaned across the table touched my arm and said, “Go for it, Kendall. I believe you can do it.” Because of the encouragement of one man, I really believed I could accomplish a God-sized dream.
In the years to follow God has blessed me and my wife with two opportunities to Pastor two churches where more than 2000 people called it their church home, both interracial and both in metro areas.
The word of the day is speak. When you have the opportunity to speak blessing and encouragement to someone, do it. You never know what a difference it will make.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”