Stories - Caleb Meeks

Since my dad is in ministry, I grew up in the church. Every time the doors were open I was at church (Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night). Therefore I would have to say that my experience with religion as a child was quite dense. From Sunday school, to church, to even going to a Christian school, I have grown up in a Christian environment all of my life.

As my youth pastor once phrased it, “I was a good kid, but I wasn’t really doing much for Jesus”. I never really did anything that one might consider “crazy” or “horrible”, but I also never really did much for Jesus. I didn’t get in trouble much growing up, and while I was believed in Jesus at an early age in the church, I didn’t do much with that belief until I was older.
I would honestly say that a pivotal point in my life that really spurred me on to follow Jesus was at a youth camp. While I accepted Jesus at an early age, I did not really start following Him until around the age of 16. I felt the call into ministry around that age and I haven’t looked back since.
Knowing that I am called into ministry is not something that I take lightly. I may not be in the richest profession, or have the biggest houses and nicest cars, but I have the responsibility to share the Gospel and help people Know, Grow, and GO. I take that responsibility very seriously, and this spurs on my passion to follow Jesus even more. I see value in the small things, or in a person’s life who I have witnessed go from no emotion on a Sunday morning to a smile and hands raised during worship. Personally, knowing that I have Jesus on my side, who is just waiting to pour out His grace on my life, is a humbling thing. I know that when I struggle or make mistakes I have someone who doesn’t look down on me, but in return pours out grace and mercy and unfortunately that is not the norm in the world we grow up in.
God has done quite a lot in my life over the past few months. He has allowed me the awesome privilege to get married and start a life with someone. He has also allowed me to graduate from college and start working full time at a church. His blessings are endless, and I am glad that I have had a chance to see those blessings on a daily basis.