Ministry has never been a sprint, but a long-distance marathon. True faithfulness is not found in burning oneself out but in learning how to breathe while running—learning to rest amid labor and to enjoy walking with God and with others over the long years.
This is the ministry philosophy Caleb lives by.
Vision: Every Person with a Calling, Every Household a Testimony
Caleb sits on the sofa in his living room as dusk settles outside the window. On Wednesday evenings, after dinner, Christian brothers and sisters from nearby gradually arrive at his home. Laughter, greetings, and the joyful sound of teacups fill the room. It is one of the moments he enjoys most—the liveliness of the gathering, but also because it carries a spiritual warmth rooted in everyday life.
"There are so many churches in the world," Caleb often says to himself and shares with those who come to his home. "What makes this small home church different? What is its distinctiveness?"
"The vision God has given me—whether you call it a vision or a desire—is this: that everyone has a calling, and every household bears testimony."
He speaks calmly, yet with quiet conviction. In his view, the most powerful witness Christians can offer today is not impressive charitable projects or theological debates, but lives that glorify God through marriage, family, and everyday relationships lived faithfully and authentically.
"Many religious groups, social organizations, and volunteer communities can do good things—caring for the poor, serving society, and protecting the environment," he said. "Christians can and should do these things too. But as the church of Christ, what truly sets us apart?"
After a brief pause, he continued: "God gave me this insight—that through marriages marked by mutual love and through healthy families, we bear witness. This is a Christian family. This is where the difference lies."
What makes it different? Caleb believes it is the love that comes from God—love that shapes marriage into more than coexistence and family into more than obligation. Husbands and wives become one; parents and children grow not only through responsibility but also through companionship and shared life. There is something deeply sincere in these relationships—something the world longs for, yet cannot replicate.
"If you ask me what I enjoy most in this world," Caleb said, smiling gently, "first, I enjoy God. And then, I enjoy my family. I truly enjoy my family."
"Every time I hear the doorbell, it feels like the bell of heaven. When my wife and children come home, seeing them fills me with joy. In the evenings, we can simply enjoy being together, without worry."
In Caleb's understanding, family is not a backdrop to ministry, nor an obstacle to it. Family itself is a ministry—a living testimony, a channel through which God's grace flows. Especially in today's context, he believes one of the most meaningful things Christian families can do is to "steward marriage and family well, glorifying God together as a household."
Ministry: Enjoying the Present, Not Anxious About Numbers
Caleb's approach to ministry flows naturally from the value he places on family. A book he recently read, The Deliberate Church, left a deep impression on him. One point from the author, Mark Dever, struck him deeply—God is sovereign over growth. What God looks for is faithfulness—and whether you are able to enjoy the ministry entrusted to you.
"Faithfulness and enjoyment," Caleb repeated. "Life passes either way. The question is whether your days are filled with bitterness or whether you truly enjoy relationships with the brothers and sisters you serve."
For Caleb, numbers are not the primary measure of success in ministry. "God is sovereign over growth," he said. "There is a purpose behind God's increase in numbers. When our lives can carry the weight of that growth and withstand it faithfully, God will entrust us with more people."
"But if we cannot properly care for the ten or twenty people already with us, then more people would not be a blessing—it could become a burden."
This sense of "enjoyment" does not mean comfort or laziness. It is a posture of rest rooted in trust and surrender. Caleb shares that his current ministry rhythm is "not overly busy," allowing him ample time with family, which he deeply appreciates.
He especially treasures Wednesday evenings. "Why is Wednesday my favorite day? Because we gather every Wednesday night. Brothers and sisters come to my home."
To him, these gatherings are not exhausting obligations but moments of release—opportunities to testify to what God has done in their lives over the past week.
A Choice: Turning Off the Phone, Turning Toward Family
In an age obsessed with efficiency, Caleb observes that many people devote themselves fully to their work, yet gradually disappear from their families. He believes every lifestyle is shaped by choices. "People can become the kind of person they desire," he said. "The question is whether they are willing to pay the price."
In 2016, Caleb made a significant decision: after 6 p.m., he stopped using his phone and devoted his evenings to family.
"It wasn't easy," he admited. "I worried—what if clients needed me? What if I missed something important?"
But he chose family as his priority.
Nine years later, he reflects that those fears did not materialize. Even if there had been losses, he would have had no regrets. "The joy I gained in family life, in marriage, and in parenting—it has more than made up for anything I might have lost."
Eventually, he extended this practice to weekends as well. Once active in constant social engagements, he now sees clearly what truly matters. "What matters," he says, "is whether the way you live pleases God."
A Path: Career, Bankruptcy, and New Beginnings
Caleb has also experienced detours in his pursuit of a career and financial security. At one point, he invested in several startup companies, hoping to achieve financial freedom so he could devote more time to ministry. In the end, every one of those ventures failed.
He even went through bankruptcy.
"When you have nothing left," he recalled, "what do you rely on to start again? I realized I still had faith. And where there is faith, there is hope. If God closes certain doors, He will surely open a window."
That "window" initially seemed small. The ministry Caleb is now engaged in began simply as a personal interest. Over time, he discovered that God was shaping it into both a calling and a sustainable livelihood—allowing him to live out his mission while walking a new path forward.
Insight: Ministry Is a Marathon
Caleb often shares a story that profoundly shaped his understanding of ministry. It is the story of two pastors.
One served tirelessly—seven days a week, year after year—and passed away after just ten years of intense ministry. The other was encouraged to rest, given regular time away, and continues to serve faithfully into his eighties.
"Serving the Lord is not about exhausting all your strength at once," Caleb reflected. "It is about steady faithfulness over time. Ministry is not a hundred-meter dash; it is a marathon."
A marathon requires endurance, pacing, nourishment, and patience. Likewise, ministry is not about burning oneself out but about sustained faithfulness—not working for God as hired laborers but walking with Him as co-laborers, finding joy along the way.
Life: Living with a Rhythm That Pleases God
Today, Caleb's life carries a clear rhythm. When he works, he focuses fully. When he is with family, he is fully present. In ministry, he enjoys fellowship. At rest, he allows himself to rest.
He still runs a business. He still pastors others. But he knows when to stop. What he has closed off is not opportunity, but anxiety. What he opened was not a door to idleness, but to rest.
"Everyone has their own path," Caleb said. "Christ Himself is the way. As long as we follow Him, we will find the path meant for us."
Wednesday evening gatherings continue in his home. Warm lights, shared tea, and honest conversations fill the space. Caleb participates not as a distant leader, but as a fellow traveler.
Fifty years of service is not sustained by sheer willpower alone. It is shaped by a faithful rhythm of rest and labor, continual nourishment, and gratitude along the way. The marathon continues—and Caleb has learned how to keep running.
(The name "Caleb" is a pseudonym for safety reasons.)
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Poppy Chan
