The Call to Ministry Not Always What You Think

How did I get here? I thought ministry would look so much different. I thought I would choose what I wanted to do–what I wanted it to look land sound like. I thought my preferences would lead the way. Little did I know God was preparing me my entire life to do four things: Number one, to obey Him, number two to be humble, number three to understand raw grief and number four never to judge.

I cannot talk about the present day and the pregnancy center without giving God credit for every single thing in my life. Presently I serve in the following roles: Executive Director and CEO of Choices Crisis Pregnancy Center, Certified Life Specialist, Licensed Credentialed Minister, Co- Pastor and Worship Leader, Faith-Based Counselor, Former Adoption Specialist, and Prevention Specialist.  The Lord has allowed us to open two crisis pregnancy centers, and we are on the verge of opening a third. To God be all the glory! Added to all of that we are building a church in the mountains of north Georgia in Clayton. I readily identify with the Scripture, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

I would like to explain a little part of how I ended up here. I didn’t choose this. I simply kept saying yes to God.  I have served in every facet of ministry, and I find that I delight in some of the sweat and tears ministry requires. For me, it is less stressful than the other side of leadership that appears like a platform or spotlight. How does a person stay humble while God is elevating them? My personal belief is that it is learning how to navigate the fails while giving God all the glory for the successes.

I never dreamed growing up in a small Baptist church that I would have the opportunity to minister and speak for God as a woman. But then I found myself marrying Adam Wright, a Church of God man. I lacked so much understanding about who God said I was, but God gave me a handsome husband who is faithful, intelligent, a strong leader and someone I trust as the head of our household and church.

As time went on, I struggled with the question, “Am I a pastor’s wife or a pastor? Am I a servant or a leader?” The answer so clearly is both and both. To this day, some of my family and friends sincerely believe that I am doing something wrong accepting speaking engagements and standing in a pulpit as a minister.  (A prophet in his own hometown, I guess???)

When I am invited to speak at various churches on behalf of the pregnancy center, there are some that are uncomfortable with a woman on the platform. Due to my background, I am not offended standing outside of the pulpit or even off-stage, as I sometimes am directed to do. My goal is not to bring attention to myself but simply to obey and spread the word of our pro-life, non-judgmental pregnancy center.

God will show you what His will is for your ministry. As for me, I must speak for Choices Crisis Pregnancy Center. I must obey God and speak for those who cannot yet speak for themselves. I must help post-abortive moms find forgiveness and peace in Christ without judgment. Many women who have had abortions have done so under duress compiled with lies and deceit.

I’m reminded of a young lady who came into our center determined to abort. Her husband was abusive. She left him and was homeless. Entering our doors she carried almost everything she owned with her. That night she was planning to sleep in her car. We knew we could help her, but could we help her calm the fear of her future? We performed an ultrasound so that she could confirm the pregnancy. Statistics reveal that if an abortion-minded client sees the heartbeat of their unborn child and realizes that there is life, she will change her mind immediately.  This client was part of the 2%. She was tired of struggling and felt a pregnancy would only compound her problems. We talked about adoption and her specific statement was, “I would rather have this child taken out of me than to give my baby away.” Logic rarely comes into play when desperation is present.

She left our center determined to abort. We kept in constant contact for a while. We placed her in temporary housing that later turned into a permanent home. Eventually we started her in our life skills classes. Sadly, she just stopped coming to us and we could no longer reach her. We had done all that we could. We called the prayer chain once more, asking for continued prayers for an abortion-determined woman. We never saw her again. However, just a couple of months ago we reconnected.  I was in the grocery store and a beautiful young woman came and put a baby into my arms.  All she said was, “thank you.”  All I could respond was, “Thank Jesus.”

I look back at the beginning of Choices CPC. For seven years I ran from this calling. Opening a second pregnancy center seemed a daunting task. It was not what I wanted to do. However, by the grace of God alone, to date I have personally been involved in preventing over 350 abortions. Again… this is all to the glory of the Lord. If I followed what I wanted to do, this would not have been an option. Now, with the use of the abortion pill reversal, we are now literally stopping the abortion in its tracks.

We have witnessed many women who have taken the RU486 abortion pill and then changed their mind and came to us for advocacy. One of these ladies came needing help and wanted to pray for forgiveness. God not only had forgiveness for her, but she came within a period that our nurse and medical director could administer the antidote. Yes! The baby and mom were saved and today are both doing wonderful.

At the time of this writing, our center in Rabun County, GA has seen 127 clients seeking an abortion. Of those, 116 decided to continue their pregnancy. 17 of those have also accepted Jesus into their hearts. Additionally, we have facilitated training for over 300 parenting students.

I could speak for hours about the center, but I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you. Sometimes it’s hard to know where you fit in ministry, but God has a plan He ordained just for you. Put your plans aside. He will do a better work through you than you could ever do on your own. Ministry is not asking God to bless what you are doing, but instead, asking God to let you do what He is blessing. The call to ministry is rarely what we think, but we must obey God, remain humble, sympathize or empathize with raw grief, and never be judgmental. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Carla Wright is Executive Director and CEO of Choices Crisis Pregnancy Center. She also is the Co-Pastor and Worship Leader for Church of the Mountains, both located in Rabun County, GA.