Maybe your life in ministry started small—like mine did.
Not with a platform, but with a broom.
Not with applause, but with preparation.
For me, it was walking over to the church after school on Wednesdays to vacuum the
youth room, help set the vibe, and make sure everything was ready to go. We’d throw
up street signs and construction cones (don’t ask questions), and we’d line the chairs
up—not in straight rows, of course. We were convinced slightly crooked chairs made
the room more spiritually effective. Youth group logic.
And before anyone even recognized I was there, I felt it—that sense of wonder. That
quiet joy of being part of something God was doing. I wasn’t leading the night or
preaching the message. But just getting to be involved in the setup felt like purpose.
Like I was in on something sacred. And honestly? That joy hit deeper than most stages
ever have.
That same heart is what led to Church of Whitestone. We didn’t plant a church to build
something flashy. We planted it because we believe there’s joy in serving Jesus—and
we wanted to build a place where that joy wasn’t a byproduct…it was the culture. A
place where setting the table mattered just as much as delivering the message. A place
where people could encounter the presence of God—and where those who serve
could enjoy the journey too.
And whether you’re on a church staff, leading a small group, mentoring students, or
running point on the parking team, I think you’ve felt it too—that unmistakable joy that
shows up when you’re in the middle of ministry done with heart.
Joy bomb #1: Obedience.
There’s something powerful about saying yes to God. Even when it’s not dramatic and
there’s no paycheck connected to it. That quiet, consistent obedience—returning the
call, prepping the message, showing up early, staying late—it adds up to a kind of joy
that doesn’t fade.
Obedience may not always feel exciting in the moment, but over time it produces a
peace that runs deep. If you’ve said yes to God and kept saying it through the ups and
downs—you know what I mean. Joy lives in that yes.
Joy bomb #2: People.
Ministry is people. That’s the heartbeat. That’s the prize.
I get asked sometimes, “What’s your favorite thing about ministry?” Hands down—
watching people become. Watching someone stretch into who they were always called
to be. Seeing faith grow to the point where they’re doing things they never thought
they could. That never stops being incredible.
The tears at baptism. The breakthrough after years of prayer. The moment someone
realizes they are called. That’s the stuff that fills your heart and fuels your purpose. If
you've ever had a front row seat to someone stepping into their God-authored identity
—you know exactly what kind of joy I'm talking about.
Joy bomb #3: Purpose.
When you understand your why, you strengthen your yes. The deeper the why, the
stronger the yes. And when you’re rooted in the call of God on your life, you start to
feel a kind of contentment that isn’t dependent on how “successful” things look at the
surface level.
Purpose doesn't eliminate difficulty, but it brings clarity. It reminds you that you’re not
just showing up—you’re building something eternal. And that makes the hard days
worth it.
So if you’ve been in ministry for 20 years or you’re just getting started, I want you to
know:
There are joy bombs ready to go off all around you.
In the yes.
In the people.
In the purpose.
You’re not just serving.
You’re sowing joy.
And that’s how to detonate a difference that makes an impact for years to come.