Surrender

My call to full time ministry came at an early age. I was adopted at age four by Rev. Ken and Brenda Dykhoff. I accepted Christ into my heart shortly thereafter. At the age of 14, I was sanctified at a youth leadership camp called Frontline Training Camp. I vividly remember making the decision to allow Christ to write my life story, to be completely sold out to Him, His call, His ministry, and His best for my life. It was not an emotional decision but one where my will was shaped completely by and for Him.

Called to Ministry

I heard it once said that when we are fully engulfed with Christ we are like a drop of red dye in a glass of water. Though the water is still fully present, it is overpowered by the dye. Hearing this, the Lord showed me that I do not lose my identity in my surrendering to His will; I simply surrender my independence to be engulfed in His Holiness.

Growing up in a pastoral home came with a lot of hands-on insight into ministry; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I remember having to come home from our yearly family vacation for a funeral. I was so mad! I thought, “Of all times someone has to die. Why couldn’t they wait one more week?” Though it seems childish now, that attitude caused my call to remain dormant for two years after I graduated from college. My call was partly suppressed by a romantic connection that quelled any leadership and ministry drive within me. After the relationship was broken, I again sensed the call into full time ministry, which led me to further my education at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Called to a Deeper Walk

The pursuit of a higher educational level led to the consideration of ordination through The Wesleyan Church. Through my studies in a church history class, my sense of a deeper relationship with God began. As the class was studying monasticism, the devotion these men and women had for seeking God’s face and their longing to be closer to Him challenged me to seek His face devotionally.

This challenge was strengthened even further when studying Christian mysticism and what being in a close relationship with an invisible God truly meant. There came a time after this in-depth study when I sensed God call me to a deeper walk with Him. I did not fully know what He was asking at the time, but it changed my love for God eternally.

From these experiences I have sensed a burning inside to share Christ with others. The goal of my life, my call, and my ministry is simply to lead people to the Cross.

 - Shawnda Dykhoff is a ministry student at Asbury Theological Seminary.