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The Evidence of Things Not Seen
G. K. Chesterton once said: “God is never late, but He is rarely early.” Pastor Bruce Baker can definitely attest to that fact. Pastor Baker left a high-paying job to pursue schooling and ministry. And God has always provided.
Bruce Baker was a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy for 11 years. Upon discharge, he began working at a Christian television station in Kansas City, MO, as a television engineer. It paid well, but he felt extremely unfulfilled. One day, a co-worker asked him what he would do if he could do anything he wanted. “That’s easy,” he replied. “I’d preach the Gospel.” When his friend asked him why he wasn’t, Bruce didn’t have an answer.
Shortly after that discussion, a knee injury caused Bruce to be laid up for about three days. “During that time I did a lot of thinking and praying. I told God that I would go into ministry if He would provide what I needed to do so. That decision took a lot of faith, let me tell you. As I look back, I can honestly say that all the bills were paid and we never went hungry. I can’t tell you how that was done, but it was.”
After completion of a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry at Calvary Bible College, Bruce enrolled in Calvary Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity degree. The day after he graduated, He was ordained and went to pastor Open Door Bible Church and from there, went to Jenison Bible Church in Hudsonville, MI, where he currently serves.
However, two ministry degrees were not enough for the requirements of his position. “I went into the Ph.D program at BBS because of a mini-crisis that I faced in my ministry. I was preaching through 1 Peter and came to a notoriously difficult passage. I handled it the best I knew, but I realized that I wasn’t doing it justice. About that time I heard about the PhD program at BBS and I decided to enroll. It allowed me to stay in my current ministry, and as a result of the PhD program at BBS, I am much more confident in my preaching and teaching. I’ve also learned practical applications for incorporating this learning into everyday ministry. I honestly can’t recommend the PhD program highly enough to pastors who are highly motivated to gain a better appreciation of God’s Word.”
Romans 4:9 tells us that “faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” In reference to his decision to pursue full-time ministry, Bruce adamantly states: “At the end of it all, I can honestly say that that step of faith has forever changed my family’s life.” Bruce is living proof that faith really is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
return to the Fall 2006 Paraklesis
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