City on a Hill Melbourne East | Trainer: Neil Castle

Hello! My name is Emma and I am so excited to pursue full-time ministry in my current context, by commencing a MTS Apprenticeship with City on a Hill: Melbourne East. 

Since finishing high school in 2018, I always felt that I would go into ministry at some point. However the timelines I created for myself weren’t coming to fruition. For many years I was unsure of how this stage of life would look, particularly vocationally. I realised that I was so focused on building my own kingdom, that I was missing an opportunity to be a part of building God’s eternal Kingdom.

My life has had many ups and downs, but the faithfulness of God – and my Christian brothers and sisters – has been constant. In response, I want to serve Him and His people with all the capacity I have. I believe every Christian has a ministry calling, regardless of what their day-to-day looks like; it is the heart we have in those spaces that make us faithful servants. I am so thankful that God has created an opportunity for me now, to do ministry full-time, vocationally.

There is such an evident need for Jesus in our world, and the more I see and understand it, the more urgent that need seems to become. We know that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. I have seen personally, and through others, the incredible way God works and shows love to His people when they step out in faith. He is real and active, and I am so excited by the thought of doing a ministry apprenticeship and seeing His work first-hand.

Ultimately, it is my prayer that the gospel message of the person and work of Jesus Christ, would spread in Australia and beyond, and that His kingdom would grow as more people come to faith. God has been so gloriously real, loving and gracious to me, and it is my hope that I can be a vessel that allows others to know the love, glory and grace of God as well.

Prayer Points

• I would so appreciate prayer as I undertake this new chapter. I’m aware that going into ministry comes with a whole set of unique challenges, and that stress, boundary-setting and time-management may be hard at times. I am also quite wary of the traps of pride. Please pray that I would keep humble and grounded, and remember that although it is a deep honour and privilege to be in ministry, I am by no means a ‘better’ Christian.
• But more importantly, please pray that God would be glorified. That through my ministry efforts, and those I work with, God’s kingdom would grow as more people come to a real and personal faith in Jesus. Please pray that there would not be such a focus on ministry outcomes, that I personally, and the Church collectively, forget to embrace the growth, relationships and joy of Christ.