What inspired you to pursue this journey, and how did you overcome initial challenges? I believe that God called me to serve Him as a minister of the gospel while in high school. I used to get fellow students coming to me for counsel and prayer. So when I completed high school, I naturally went to Bible school to study theology and be equipped.
I was sent by my church which is the Anglican Church. What that means is that I went through the required process by the church before going to college which meant that, after college there was an expectation that I would be ordained as a priest and placed in a congregation to serve. Unfortunately, when I came back that was not to be.
I went for interviews every year after college from 2004 to 2018 without success. Two things that helped me overcome my challenges of not being ordained and serving full time in church as a minister of the gospel were;
- God had opened a door in a Christian organisation and I was serving there in managing a mentorship program for pre-teens.
- I also served as a volunteer in the children ministry in my local church.
Please share a significant moment or decision that played a significant role in your success? When I never got ordained immediately as I had hoped, I purposed that I would serve God where He opened a door for me and I would do so with all my heart so that I would be found faithful by the Lord Jesus who is my master.
How do you navigate work-life balance and maintain your well-being amidst the success? I continue to seek a close intimate walk with God through the study of His word (The Bible), prayer and fasting. I also do my best to plan and have my schedule in my calendar so that I can accomplish my goals each day, each month and ultimately each year.
My success is in being ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church and being able to work full time as a church minister. The work is demanding and if not careful, I could miss out on my time with God so I try to set aside time every day to be alone with God.
What advice would you give to aspiring women on a similar journey or who dream of the same kind of success? To never give up. I achieved my dream after 19 years of waiting. Trust in God, He will make all things beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
In the face of setbacks, how do you stay resilient and continue to thrive in your journey? I am a very spiritual person and I have always turned to God in the face of setbacks. When I talk to God about it, I know even though it may not be done as I wish, He has my back. I also have friends who I share with. A problem shared is a problem half solved. My trusted friends give me a listening ear which is very therapeutic, but also they help me process what I am going through.
In times where I feel I need professional support, I have seen a counsellor which helped greatly.
I also live a healthy lifestyle. I eat healthy meals and exercise to keep my body fit. I also do yearly medical check-ups to be sure that I am healthy.
We are grateful to Rev. Leah for allowing us to share her journey. If you need support in navigating your own journey like Rev. Leah has done, please let us know.
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