#Called

In 2013 while on a Missions Trip to Hana, Hawaii, I found myself answering an altar call for those who felt called into ministry. I was at a small, historic church in Keanae—one of the most spiritual places I have ever visited—when suddenly I found myself going forward to answer this call. I had never thought of ministry before even though I was on a missions trip; I am a writer. I began to wonder what it means to be called. Fast forward to a volunteer experience at an outdoor crusade in Nicetown, Pennsylvania where I found myself surrounded by a number of ministers. I was talking to a friend about how varied the ministers' paths were into ministry, and she suggested I write a book about it. The idea percolated for awhile even though I began asking pastors if I could interview them. At the same time, I began taking courses to become a certified pastor (not sure what I wanted to do, but following an inner compass). Then one day, the two ideas merged—I felt called into ministry, but what form? How were other people called? I once wrote when blogging about my missions trip to Hana that callings are "inexplicable things...felt only in our hearts," but is this true? Why not explore this concept by starting with pastors and asking them their opinions? That's where I am now—at the interview phase of a project I am calling #Called. Tune in here for future updates, photos and info. on the process.