How are effective ministry leaders formed? In the Bible, we see this begin with followers of Christ who have a Holy Spirit given desire to serve in ministry. Those individuals are then equipped, engaged, and commissioned by the local church. Effective ministry leaders are still formed in this manner. In addition to the local church, today we have opportunities to gain knowledge from formal education. At the Baptist University of 佛罗里达 (BUF), we have the privilege of coming alongside the local church to train and equip effective leaders in ministry. We want to highlight one of our students who is being equipped to be an effective ministry leader.
Meet Dawson Troutt! He is a senior at BUF majoring in Ministry Studies with a focus in Pastoral Ministry. Dawson is a native of 佛罗里达 having grown up in Lakeland. He was raised in church and chose to follow Christ at a young age. The summer between his junior and senior years in high school, Dawson attended a summer camp where he began feeling a desire to serve, and he submitted to God’s calling on his life to vocational ministry. Dawson came to learn about BUF through the youth pastor at his home church, Lifepoint Church, in Mulberry, 佛罗里达. With these things in mind, he chose BUF as his place of study.
Dawson’s favorite class has been Preparing Expository Sermons with BUF’s 总统 Clayton Cloer. He has particularly enjoyed this class because it has been both informational and practical for life in ministry. Dawson shared, “I always walked away from the class feeling stirred up and excited for ministry.” Within the last year, Dawson received an exciting opportunity to serve in ministry. Currently, Dawson is serving at Blue Lake Baptist Church in Chipley, FL as the Youth Minister. 他分享, “It has been very cool to use my spiritual gifts as well as the training I’ve received at BUF in ministry even while I am still here in classes.” As Dawson completes his final semester at BUF, he reflected, “Looking back to when I first got to BUF to now, I’ve really seen God work in me and grow me immensely. My time at BUF has helped me establish healthy spiritual disciplines, make good fruitful relationships, and learn practical, applicable knowledge for ministry. My classes have helped me feel well prepared and trained to go into ministry and be an effective minister of the gospel.” In looking to the future, Dawson expressed that his main goal “Is to be an obedient, fruitful servant of God’s kingdom.” For eighty-one years, BUF has prepared followers of Christ like Dawson to serve faithfully in ministry, and we are grateful for this continued privilege as the University continues to expand and grow!
BUF is 佛罗里达's affordable, 可访问的, 上下文, and exceptional Christian higher education institution. Join the movement today at buf.edu/apply.