15 years.
When I was 14 years old, I met Pastor Julia YH Yim, who changed my life. There was something about her that was magnetic, joyful, and deeply loving. She and her mom, Mrs. Yim, invested in my faith in ways I will never forget.
At 15 years old, I sensed God's call to become a pastor.
From that point on, whenever anyone asked what I wanted to be, my answer never changed: a pastor.
After high school, I went to college and then seminary, spending nearly ten years studying theology, scripture, church history, polity, Hebrew, Greek, and so much more. In 2011, I graduated from seminary and accepted my very first job as a pastor.
Fifteen years later, I can honestly say I had no idea how beautiful, complex, exhausting, joyful, heartbreaking, and life-giving this calling would be. It has challenged me, humbled me, sharpened me, and shaped me into the person I am today.
This week alone, ministry looked like:
• Receiving donated vegetables for our community farm stand and helping provide fresh food while supporting City Mission.
• Completing repairs to our church entrance after it was struck by a box truck over a year ago.
• Presenting our Community Pavilion project before the City Planning Commission and receiving approval to begin construction.
• Working with our architect on kitchen and utility plans.
• Choosing trees for the front of the church.
• Dog sitting and making meals for dear friends as they welcomed their new baby into the world.
• Preparing sermons, answering emails, and a hundred other things that rarely make the Sunday announcements.
That's ministry.
It is people. It is presence. It is spreadsheets and site plans. It is casseroles and community gardens. It is hospital rooms and planning meetings. It is celebrating births, grieving losses, preaching the gospel, and trying every day to love people well.
Fifteen-year-old Liz had no idea what ministry had in store for her. She had no idea it would happen just as often around a kitchen table, at City Hall, in a garden, with a shovel in one hand and a casserole in the other.
I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm deeply grateful that God called me, that I said yes, and that I've never had to walk this journey alone. Gabe has offered the love, care, and support throughout this in ways I could never begin to describe or give enough gratitude for. My family, my churches, my mentors, my friends, and so many others who have encouraged me along the way have been life giving.
Here's to fifteen years... what a journey it has been and will continue to be 
