I can’t lie. It was difficult to say “yes” to Pam Durso, “yes” that I would accept the position as associate director at Baptist Women in Ministry.
“Yes” meant leaving what I knew. It meant leaving what was comfortable. It meant leaving twelve years of investment as director of church, alumni, and student relations. Saying “yes” would mean leaving dear friends and colleagues, students, and alumni whom I love and admire. I was in a good place and thinking about disrupting it gave me great anxiety. Then I remembered–I had been in this position before.
Before I received the call to serve at Campbell University Divinity School in 2007, I was serving at a non-profit organization that was also comfortable. I sought God’s still small voice regarding this new opportunity at CUDS. The Lord led me to Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
So I went to Campbell University Divinity School and served faithfully for almost thirteen years. Now, history was repeating itself. I was in dialogue with God, “Like you called me to Campbell, I need You to make this new opportunity crystal clear.” I was reminded of the voices that affirmed this was a new call from God:
- I went to South Africa in 2015 for the Baptist World Alliance Congress and Dr. Joel Gregory spoke these words, “God Has a Mega Door for You!” I wrote it down. It spoke profoundly to me.
- In April 2016, Dr. J. Brad Creed was installed as the fifth president of Campbell University. In his installation speech he said, “When God opens a door of opportunity, walk through it!” Something in my spirit said, write that down!
- Amy McClure and I were walking from our Baptist Women in Ministry Leadership Team meeting in Atlanta on February 23, 2018 and later I wrote this note in my journal, “We left the board meeting at 5:02 PM and as we were walking to the parking lot, Amy asked me did I see myself spending the rest of my ministry at Campbell? She went on to say, “I would love for you to stay at Campbell, but I see something bigger for you.”
- A current CUDS student, Karen Lucas, told me in 2019, “I see a shift happening for you!”
- On November 3, 2019, on my way from a speaking engagement at Madison Heights Baptist Church in Virginia, I stopped for dinner at PF Changs. My fortune cookie read, “A golden egg opportunity will fall in your lap this month! (I know, I know, but I believe God speaks in ways we least expect!)
- Dr. Caleb Oladipo, a friend and colleague, knew I was “mourning” leaving CUDS, so he shared with me what a mentor once told him, “Your loyalty is never to an institution, but to God. If God calls, you must go!“
- I consulted my dad, a retired Army Sgt. Major who said, “Lynn, I am going to ask you a yes or no question. Do you want the position? Just say yes or no! I paused, and then I SAID YES!
And then Pam calls on December 17 to offer me the position…
Honestly, the struggle was real. It all boiled down to trust with a capital “T!” Was I going to trust God in this “open door.” I STILL needed one more voice (but God gave me two!)
On my morning walk, I listened to a sermon by Rev. Dr. Howard John Wesley, pastor of Alfred St. Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. His sermon was titled, “Get Over It!” In the sermon he said, “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Get over it, and get ready for something better!”
And then I went to Sunday School on December 22! There was still a DRIP of doubt in my spirit and then the scripture lesson was read. It was a pleasant reminder. I cried the entire Sunday School class because I knew God was affirming my “yes!”
The lesson came from Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Yes and Amen!
Lynn Brinkley is associate director of Baptist Women in Ministry. She lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina.