Melinda Priest

How and when did God call you into full-time ministry?
From a very young age, I loved to sing and write songs. When I was seven years old, at Indian Lake Nazarene Girls Camp in Vicksburg, Michigan, I asked Jesus into my heart and He became my personal Savior. However, God called me into full-time ministry, during my junior year of high school, while attending a Contemporary Christian Music Artists Camp in Estes Park, Colorado.

I was listening to a missionary preach on top line/bottom line Christianity. The top line is God's love for us, and the bottom line is our responsibility to share it. The missionary challenged everyone in attendance to live our lives on the bottom line.  As I prayed, I knew God had saved me from my personal sin, but now I had to give Him the right to my whole life if He was going to be able to use me. My job was to remain open to His leading. I fully surrendered my life to God that day and He confirmed in my heart, in that moment, that He was calling me to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I did not know at the time what that would look like. However, the experience is as real in my heart today as it was those many years ago.

You're a passionate worship leader God uses so beautifully to bring the body of Christ into His presence. How does that make you feel?
Humbled. One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 4:6: "We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show the all-surpassing power comes from God and not from us." God has allowed all believers to be carriers of the greatest treasure in the world--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carry the light of Jesus every place we go.  It still amazes me that God would entrust me with this great treasure. Any good you see in me, is from Him. He is my source and my strength. I am called to be an usher. I want to encourage people to enter into His throne room and spend time face to face with Him.

While in full-time ministry, a wife and mother, and the CTTF worship leader, how do you find "rest" for your soul?
That is a daily challenge. A quote hanging in my office says: "The lasting value of our public service to God, is measured by the depth of intimacy of our private times of fellowship and oneness with Him."
-Oswald Chambers

A few years ago, I realized that people don't need to hear what I have to say, they need to hear what God has to say. Without having a daily encounter with my heavenly Father, I am very aware that I have nothing to offer my family, friends, church, and community.

I LOVE God's Word. It is the bread of life to me. As I read the word, sometimes three or four chapters a day, I also journal. I ask the Lord to breathe on His word and make it come alive to me.  I write down how God is speaking to me through His Word. This morning James 4:8 reminded me to "come near to God He will come near to you." I thank God for His promises.

I often begin my time in His presence by listening, asking God what He would want to say to me, before I present my requests to Him. I write down the distracting thoughts that come to my mind, so my mind is clear to hear from Him.

Solitude is a very important spiritual discipline to me. Since I have noise around me almost every moment of my day, either with a busy four-year-old or at my church, where I serve as a worship pastor, the Lord has required me to carve out time with Him. Early mornings work best for me. You should see me try to tiptoe past my son's bedroom so he does not hear the wood floor creak. If I'm unsuccessful, I do the best I can. I don't recommend trying to read your Bible at the table while your child finger-paints! Projects with glue sticks are a lot less messy.

I truly enjoy God's creation, the water, the trees, the snow. It also provides rest to my soul. I love exercising, but finding time for it is really difficult in this season of my life.

Jason, my wonderful, supportive husband, is an incredible partner in ministry and a great dad. He helps to make sure I am balanced with church work and family. Jason and I prayed for many years for children. We adopted Ty four years ago and He is our primary mission field. We both feel very blessed that the Lord has entrusted us with him. We would love more children, but it is all in God's timing.

 Years ago, a mentor told me I did not have to die for Jesus. I had to live for Him. Of course we die to ourselves, but she meant I did not have to literally die.  At that time, I was heading for burnout trying to save the world at the expense of my own health and family. I have learned that, in order for me to continue to live out God's purpose for my life, I must find rest for my soul.