After several years of serving as a teacher and deacon, I felt an overwhelming call to the ministry. Having seen the sorrow that pastors often endure, it was not a role I was actively seeking; nevertheless, having been called by God to serve Him in that capacity, currently as Associate Pastor of Berea Baptist Church, I am eager to learn and live worthy of the calling he has for me.
Paul instructed Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (ESV). It is my desire that my life is such that I never bring shame to the church or to Christ, and that I always speak truth any time I speak about His Word.
Paul instructed Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (ESV). It is my desire that my life is such that I never bring shame to the church or to Christ, and that I always speak truth any time I speak about His Word.
My wife and I married in February 2004, currently own a home in Maumelle, Arkansas, and hope to start a family of our own soon. I teach the adult Sunday School class, and my wife and mother alternate quarterly teaching the children's class. My wife and I have also very active with the ministry of Holt International, Operation Christmas Child and Samaritans Purse, and the Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes.
Already I've been asked about why I called this my Cross-eyed Pastor blog. I've seen this idea of being "cross-eyed" many times in Christian art and on Christian t-shirts and have heard it in Christian music. At first I thought it was a catchy slogan, but then Hebrews 12:1-2 came to mind:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
It reminded me that every single step that Jesus took on earth was a deliberate step towards the cross and towards the freedom from sin and death and the new life it would bring His children. It reminded me also that I was called to pick up my cross daily to follow Him wherever He leads, and to whatever He calls me to do for His glory, His honor, His kingdom, and His children.
I pray that by God’s grace and sufficiency others, when looking into my eyes, will see the reflection of the cross and that sharing the story of His great love will always be the focus of whatever ministry I find myself in.
E-mail: Jeff.Rudd@BBCJax.net
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