If I had written this article 20 years ago while attending North Central Bible College, my thoughts on what I believed was the personal calling in my life and my plans for ministry after college would have I created an essay that is significantly different from what I'm writing here. My interpretation of calling was probably like most students who attended NCBC, that it is a divine mission placed on your life, meaning your life is dedicated to promoting the Gospel through the means of a full-time career-oriented ministry. As a typical Assembly of God church attendee who grew up in the church, I understood that this calling would take the form of a pastor at a local Assembly of God church, such as a children's, youth, music, associates, or a senior pastor. At that time I believed that I would eventually become the senior pastor in an Assembly of God church. While many place this interpretation on me, and I thank God every day for those who have that calling, I now believe my interpretation is no longer defined that way. restricted. I simply no longer believe that my personal calling is in full-time pastoral ministry. The journey I took that led me to realize this fact was initially very exciting, but quickly turned very disappointing and has been the source of much discouragement and self-doubt over the years. Only in the last 10 years or so have I discovered and accepted the true calling God has placed on my life. My first understanding of what I believed was my calling to ministry began with a question when I was thirteen. I was attending a youth meeting at the home of our newly hired senior pastor when he asked me if anyone had thought or planned on joining… middle of the paper… I'm going to be a pastor, but I'll never say that. I am now focused on my family and my century-long management career, and my immediate plans are to finish my bachelor's degree and then earn an MBA. This degree may provide me with some ministry opportunities in a business sense in the future, but I will let God show me those opportunities. My personal mission statement is as follows: Always pursue knowledge of God and His grace and mercy, be a devoted husband and father, love my wife and children unconditionally, provide adequately for my family, be honest and ethical in all personal and work situations, embracing who I am and not becoming who others think I should be, resisting negativity and negative company, being increasingly sensitive to the plight of my peers, and caring deeply for everyone I come into contact with.