“In 2014, Bruce Rabon, administrative bishop of Kentucky, decided to become personally involved in ministerial training,” said J. David Stephens, D.D., assistant general overseer and executive director of the Division of Education. “One of his goals was to see younger people become credentialed ministers. He has achieved his goal!”
Stephens went on to say that Bishop Rabon and his team have used several means to help younger people in the Church of God recognize their call to ministry. Intentionally talking with people at youth camp — such as, youth, counselors, and staff — is an example. Other examples include promotion at state functions, posts on the state website, and use of social media.
“The key factor, however, is the planned action of reaching out to younger people and helping them to understand that they have a place of ministry in the Church of God,” Stephens concluded.
Kentucky is deliberately helping its youth discover their calling, and the younger people are discovering their God-called ministry. Furthermore, the effort to bring young people into the ministry in the state is helping Kentucky stay spiritually vibrant.
The Division of Education is thankful for the vision and effort of Bishop Rabon and his ministerial training team to help our young people realize their call to clergy ministry and to assist them in obtaining credentials in the Church of God.