Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Call -- Michelle Amaro's testimony

           
            For several months I had been hearing about Summit Bible College on a local radio station and the Lord put it on my heart that this is what I was to use my money for. The Lord wanted me to finish my education at this place. He didn’t immediately reveal to me why or what my equipping and training would be, but He was faithful to reveal it during my first quarter.
            Two years ago, while attending an all day Saturday seminar on Forming a Non Profit, the last speaker of the day was Chaplain Kerry Bulls. As he talked, I found something very intriguing about his personality, perspective and his call to Chaplaincy. After the seminar I had the chance to ask him some questions and my first one was “What is the difference between being a pastor and being a Chaplain?” He smiled and explained to me the differences and I knew that Chaplaincy was why God placed me at Summit. Each quarter after that, God was building on that seminar; He was equipping me to be a Chaplain.
            Some people come to Summit already engaged in their field of ministry, I came to Summit to have mine revealed to me. Now, as I’m ready to graduate with my Bachelor in Theology and Master in Divinity, God is confirming my calling and equipping me with the gifts and talents that I need. This journey wasn’t about me and what I could accomplish on my own as with previous attempts at college, but it was about being obedient and willing to be led by the Lord in His plan for my life.
            The journey hasn’t been perfect, the classes haven’t always been easy, and there have definitely been conflicts and challenges along the way, but through it all, because I was willing to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, victories were gained and I found new passion for the life that God has given me.
            Summit has truly been a tool that God has used to transform me by the renewing of my mind!
            Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.- Romans 12:2 – 5 (NIV)


Michelle Amaro has worked in ministry for the past 10 years serving as a Children’s Ministry Assistant, a Sunday school teacher, VBS coordinator, and a Compassion Team member at Calvary Chapel Bakersfield. She is also one of the Chaplains at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital and volunteers with Hoffmann Hospice.

Mrs. Amaro has just completed her Bachelor’s in Theology and Master’s in Divinity concurrently at Summit Bible College and is ordained with Healing Word International Ministries where she is also trained as a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Mrs. Amaro will begin a new teaching assignment at Summit Bible College for the summer quarter in the Chaplaincy Degree program. Her greatest blessings however are being a wife and mother to two wonderful children.

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