My younger son loves to experiment with a variety of flavors. Even as a small child, he liked to be in the kitchen when his mom or I were cooking, urging us to try various flavor combinations and sauces to get the most out of what we were making. His bold choices and combinations really did add to our meals, and the experience of mixing flavors and trying new things are both apt analogies for the boldness and excitement with which we as Christians are called to live our lives.

Ministry in God’s kingdom has a variety of flavors, too. In His infinite wisdom, God pieces together His wonderful tapestry of grace by using people whose gifts and callings vary, but whose overall purpose is the same: to spread the good news of God’s new way of living over the whole world.  This issue of Holiness Today explores many different “flavors” of Christian ministry. Although no single issue could possibly explore every unique ministry calling, the following gallery is a sampling meant to encourage those in all walks of life to faithfully follow God’s direction toward furthering His kingdom.

In some Christian traditions, it is common to pray for “Christian vocations:” that more ministers will be called, encouraged, and equipped to give their lives to the work of the Gospel. However, all of us who are Christians are equally called by God to make His mission our first priority. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2).

Charles W. Christian is managing editor of Holiness Today.

Holiness Today, January/February 2018

Please note: This article was originally published in 2018. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.