Called to a new mission field
By Rick Vance
Several months ago, an evening worship service speaker proclaimed, “God is calling you into new mission fields!”
Little did I know how prophetic those words would become.
Some two months ago, God called me to move to Nashville to assume the responsibilities of director of men’s ministry.
As an introduction, I am an ordained clergy member of the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference. I hold degrees in radiologic technology, adult education, divinity, and leadership excellence.
God has used all of this training to prepare me for a variety of ministries.
As a young adult I was welcomed by UM Men and mentored into leadership roles in the group. They allowed me space to learn and make mistakes, while at the same time lovingly directing me into right practices. With the aid of a loving church, the men nurtured and supported me as God called me to the ordained ministry. Because of their witness, I have always had a passion for equipping men to minister to other men.
During more than 20 years of ministry, I served the denomination in a variety of local, district, conference and general church areas.
I am very passionate about engaging people to be in mission and ministry to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” By means of local, national and international ministry opportunities, we engage in ministry with the poor, make principled disciple leaders, and see transformation in our lives. Through all of this, we see the world change for the better.
This has been God’s call in my life; the only thing that’s changed is the mission field in which I’m living out this call.
As the new director of men’s ministry, I ask you to join me in our shared mission to “help men grow in Christ, so others may know Christ.”
Maybe God is calling you into new mission fields. Maybe God is calling your men’s ministry into new mission fields.
I would love to hear how God is calling you.
Allow me to help you along this journey.
Led by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, I am excited about what God will do during our shared ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Richard Vance, director of men’s ministry
General Commission on UM Men
615/620-7277