We are all a part of something much bigger than just ourselves. Part of a bigger narrative. In this series we are sharing how God is at work in the lives of our members.
Ministry has been a significant experience in Tau Poasa’s faith journey, and he has kindly shared his story with us. Tau is currently serving in Geelong as a ministerial intern.
From as far back as I can remember, learning of God’s amazing grace inspired me to do something bold for God in my life. I admired watching the young people, slightly older than me, teaching during Sabbath School at my home church in New Zealand. With aspiration I would whisper under my breath, ‘I could do something like that!’
I really enjoyed reading the Bible (Samoan version – I was not so good with the King James version) and I wanted a strong knowledge of the Bible so I could share with others.
Preaching however, was not my ideal – speaking in front of the whole church, as opposed to a small group, was not something I was comfortable with and so being a pastor was completely out of the picture. I contemplated various other ways to witness and share my faith, such as with my friends at school or visiting people in hospital with my youth group, and found the Sabbath School mission stories inspiring, learning about how missionaries shared Christ in other parts of the world.
But then my focus began to shift. I knew that a good education would open doors for me, and I loved reading, but English was my second language and I found understanding it and being able to speak it were two very different things. I was keen to learn, but did not always get the help that I needed to fully comprehend and became discouraged with the education process.
During my 20’s, I moved to Australia ushering in a new chapter in my faith journey. By this time, I’d set my sight firmly on other things and my choices in Australia reflected that. Perhaps not exactly running away from God as Jonah was, but certainly choosing a different direction to the one God had been revealing to me. But regardless of my priorities and how off God’s chosen path I went, like with Jonah, He did not give up on me. He showed up numerous times, reminding me of His plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11) and assuring me he would guide me along the best pathway for my life (Psalm 32:8). And fortunately He did not need to use a huge fish to get me back on track!
My wife and I attended church in Brisbane. We were still active in our church even if I was not walking the path God preferred for me. We led the youth Sabbath School and both worked in various ministries in our church. One Sabbath my wife passed me the Record and pointed at the information about an opportunity to study at Avondale under a government study assistance scheme that was too good to pass. As I read the Record it felt like God was calling me back to what I had originally aspired to, and more! To ministry.
And again, He came through for me, answering prayers and enabling me to move my family to Newcastle so I could study at Avondale.
After graduating from Avondale College with a Bachelor of Ministry & Theology, I worked for three years as a Bible worker at Northpoint Church and then two years as a Youth pastor at Ascot Vale. I am now in my second year of internship at Geelong Church and know that as a disciple of Jesus, I am still growing and learning to help disciple others. I am loving my time at Geelong and really appreciate the church that has empowered its young people with their responsibilities.
We all have scars from life in one way or another. Physical, emotional or mental scars, and each scar tells a story from the different experiences we have encountered in our lives.
I have scars that tell of a bike accident as a child, which put me on life support with doctors thinking I would not survive. The memories left a haunting sadness in my mother whenever she caught me glancing at my scars in the mirror. She often reminded me that it is only by God’s grace I am alive. To this day, when I see my scars, I remember her words… and am reminded of Christ’s scars which heal, through His ultimate sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5).
I have caused scars on other people over the course of my life. I ’m not proud of it and I certainly have regrets. I strive forward each day with a prayerful heart asking God to heal the pain I have caused and forgive me. I pray that we all find our true purpose of life and happiness in Jesus. That we will all be aware of the presence of God in our lives because it is through Him alone will we find peace and security.
Prayer is a vitally important part of my faith journey and ministry, and without it I would be completely powerless and lost. In His three and a half years of ministry, Jesus was often found alone in a solitary place praying to his heavenly Father for strength and guidance. It was a strong force in the apostle Paul’s ministry too, as he faced difficulties and challenges. He encouraged the Christians in Ephesus to always remember to pray about every situation and for all believers. If Paul needed it… If Jesus needed it, how much more do I need prayer. As another pastor once said, ‘No prayer, no power!’
Most importantly, I have a love for God and for people and the desire to share my faith to reach others. My loving wife is fully supportive of this and I am so happy to be back on the path that God had planned for me and that I had aspired to as a youth… yes… even the preaching part!
Post Script: COVID-19 has brought a whole new experience in my ministry. It’s been a challenge , particularly because using an online platform is a new dimension for me. I had to learn and adapt to a different mindset as I was not tech savvy. However, with those changes and struggles I can honestly say it’s been a rewarding experience. Connecting with church family via zoom each Sabbath, prayer meetings throughout the week, Bible studies have all been a blessing despite the uncertainty and the unprecedented times we are living in. It takes me back to think about how the early church in Acts 2, were inspired as faithful believers in Jesus. Despite the hardship and persecution they faced they were always committed to fellowship and were eager to hear and learn of the good news about Jesus.
Tau Poasa