Lay leadership in action
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Global Ministry Center
Emmitt Ballard encountered Christ in an unexpected place. He shares, "I found God when I went to a pizza party. I went for the pizza but I got so much more." For the last 15 years, Ballard has called Glasgow, Kentucky's Trinity Church of the Nazarene home. It is there he has not only been discipled, but is also discipling others. As a church board member, assistant to the pastor, and Continuing Lay Training (CLT) coordinator, he has enthusiastically assumed several leadership roles. For Ballard, his ministry in the local church is motivated by a love for God and his church family.
Ballard's love for God and desire to serve others bleeds into all other areas of his life. As a former franchise owner of a well known sandwich shop, he saw his business as an extension of his ministry by shepherding his employees. In fact, he used the opportunity being a franchise owner gave him, to hire an individual right out of the prison system so that he could disciple this young Christian.
Recently after a Sunday evening service, Ballard's family was sitting together at home reading a passage from Genesis. While learning from one another they began to talk about the gospel and without any prompting, his six-year old daughter prayed and accepted Christ. With a contagious excitement, Ballard recently contacted the CLT office and shared the news of his daughter's decision to accept Christ.
Like many people, Ballard and his family have come upon challenging times as a result of the global economic crisis. However, through it all he continues to keep his focus on Christ. While he admits things have not been easy, he is quick to confess he would not make it without Christ.
Continuing Lay Training hosts a lay minister certification program that works in tandem with the local church to provide education and ministry accountability for laity. The mentor-driven, educational component of this process is provided by CLT at www.DiscipleshipPlace.org. It is through this web site that Emmitt Ballard of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Glasgow, Kentucky, began communicating with the CLT office about his life story and passion for ministry. As a certified lay minister since December 2008, Ballard has completed several online courses.
For those individuals who may have an interest in learning more about Scripture, doctrine, and theology, check out the many free, online courses available at www.DiscipleshipPlace.org.
--CLT
Ballard's love for God and desire to serve others bleeds into all other areas of his life. As a former franchise owner of a well known sandwich shop, he saw his business as an extension of his ministry by shepherding his employees. In fact, he used the opportunity being a franchise owner gave him, to hire an individual right out of the prison system so that he could disciple this young Christian.
Recently after a Sunday evening service, Ballard's family was sitting together at home reading a passage from Genesis. While learning from one another they began to talk about the gospel and without any prompting, his six-year old daughter prayed and accepted Christ. With a contagious excitement, Ballard recently contacted the CLT office and shared the news of his daughter's decision to accept Christ.
Like many people, Ballard and his family have come upon challenging times as a result of the global economic crisis. However, through it all he continues to keep his focus on Christ. While he admits things have not been easy, he is quick to confess he would not make it without Christ.
Continuing Lay Training hosts a lay minister certification program that works in tandem with the local church to provide education and ministry accountability for laity. The mentor-driven, educational component of this process is provided by CLT at www.DiscipleshipPlace.org. It is through this web site that Emmitt Ballard of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Glasgow, Kentucky, began communicating with the CLT office about his life story and passion for ministry. As a certified lay minister since December 2008, Ballard has completed several online courses.
For those individuals who may have an interest in learning more about Scripture, doctrine, and theology, check out the many free, online courses available at www.DiscipleshipPlace.org.
--CLT