‘Called’ Conference Encourages Potential Leaders

On Nov. 22 about 40 people gathered on the campus of Dordt University, Sioux Center, Iowa, to consider whether God was calling them into ministry. This event, dubbed “Called,” was a grassroots effort organized by Rev. Stephen Terpstra with collaboration from Dordt, Resonate Global Mission, CRC Candidacy, and area churches. 

“As a denomination, we have been talking for years about the looming shortage of pastors,” said Terpstra, a pastor at First CRC in Orange City, Iowa, and a delegate to Synods 2022, 2024, and 2025. He explained that the issue had come up during synod and in other denominational conversations and that he sensed a strong need to do something about it.

Terpstra added that this need was also very personal to him. In his own preaching, teaching, and studying, he said, he “became increasingly convinced of the necessity, urgency, power, and joy of ministry. If the Word of God is ‘the very power of God that brings salvation’ as the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed [Rom. 1:16], then almost nothing is more important in this age than raising up proclaimers of Jesus.”

Recognizing that he, as a pastor and church leader, could help in this endeavor, Terpstra talked to his wife and began making plans for an event that could encourage people to consider vocational ministry. 

He reached out to staff at Dordt University to see if they would be willing to host. He spoke to Susan LaClear, director of Candidacy, to see if she could help with planning. He approached his local Resonate Global Mission leader, Adrianna Herrera, for her input. And he spoke with area pastors and Classis Heartland to see if they could participate as speakers or help with financial support. 

“Everyone I approached jumped at the chance to help,” Terpstra said.

The outline of the day was designed to be intentionally simple, with the idea that it could be easily replicated across the denomination. The flow followed five general questions: 

• Is ministry worthwhile? 
• What kinds of ministry are there? 
• How do you know if you are called to ministry? 
• If you are called, how do you prepare for and get into ministry?
• Is ministry really necessary or urgent? 

The sessions were led by Terpstra, LaClear, Rev. John Lee, and Rev. John Klompein. There was also a panel discussion including church planter Rev. Jeff Heerspink, chaplain Rev. R.J. Coburn, missionary Adrianna Herrera, church pastor Rev. Kevin Muyskens, and military chaplain Brodie Van Roekel. (The content of these presentations is available on YouTube). 

Terpstra said that in addition to these formal times of presentation, the conference planners “also intentionally left time before, over lunch, and after lunch to talk to all those who came, to hear their stories, and to give more personal guidance in their discernment process.”

“It was exciting to watch pastors investing in the work of identifying and encouraging emerging pastoral leaders,” said LaClear. “I believe those who attended were inspired by the humble and transparent way that these ministry leaders shared their own stories of calling. They also shared passionately about the joy they've experienced in laying down their lives for the sake of the gospel, and how that joy sustains them through the many challenges of ministry and life.”

The Called conference drew participants  ranging in age from their early teens to those in their fifties. They were interested in missionary work, chaplaincy, pastoral work, becoming licensed to preach, and pursuing a full-time position as a minister of the Word.

“I love the way that the conference made me reflect and ask questions about myself,” said Gabe Albright, one of the attendees. “Not only did it help me see the steps to being a leader, it helped the Holy Spirit shed light on some personal things I would have to struggle through to become a leader. Thankfully, because I saw those things when I did, I was able to resolve them.”

Cyle Erks, another attendee, added, “Before I went to the Called event, I had been wrestling with [the idea of serving in a prison ministry] as a lay person. At times I can hyperfixate on the office of ministry, comparing myself to others and the calling placed on their lives. After this event I was reminded and encouraged to get alone with God and actively listen to his still small voice for guidance, maturity, and healing.”

Erks added that every speaker brought a different flavor or ministry, life experience, and insight on how to live a godly life honoring God and loving people, which he said he found helpful.

“I am praying for all who attended the event – and many others across our denomination – ” said LaClear, “that they will continue listening to the Spirit's promptings and guidance with an open heart so that they can keep discovering and living into God’s kingdom purposes for them.”

Heerspink said the event was something that should become a norm within the CRC. “Jesus tells us that ‘the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’ [Matthew 9:37]. This means that we need to follow Jesus’ instructions to pray for workers but also join him in that work to fulfill the call of Ephesians 4 and equip others for ministry,” he said, adding that we can’t rely on “the denomination” to do this work. “We need to realize that we are the denomination,” he said. 

Terpstra added that he hopes to repeat the event in northwestern Iowa on a regular basis. He noted that he has also had inquiries from two other regions about helping them host similar events.

“My hope is that we can offer this simple outline and format and allow local churches or classes to host such an event all across the denomination,” he explained. “I long to see God raise up an army of young people ready to follow Jesus to the ends of the earth, proclaiming in word and deed, in their joyful suffering, in their preaching and teaching, and in their love and service, the excellencies of him who has called them into his glorious light.”