A Message From Pastor Jack
When Paul wrote the first of his two letters to his disciple Timothy in Ephesus, he gave to him, as he would to Titus (Titus 1) as well, an entire chapter of how he might discover those in the church whom God had called to be overseers, elders, or pastors. In 1 Timothy 3, he began with the words: “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” The word desires means to stretch out as far as possible in the hopes of grasping that which we desire most. I have found that it is indeed that hunger that cannot be satisfied that is indicative of God’s calling upon a life. Nehemiah would not rest until God opened every door and, in like manner, it is that stirring work of the Holy Spirit within us that drives us to look for that place of ministry He has prepared for us. The calling of God begins in the heart, cannot be produced by man, and cannot be set aside. Paul was well aware of this work of the Holy Spirit within and said so to the Corinthian church (1Co. 9:16). It may very well be that same stirring of the Holy Spirit that has you considering ministry school and God’s will for you.
In every generation God has stirred the hearts of men that He would use in leading His flock. In these last days, more than ever, the body of Christ requires men of God who love His Word and will rightly divide it for His people (2Ti. 2:2,15); those who like Paul have no confidence in the wisdom of men’s words but great confidence in the Word of God and in the Cross of Christ (1Co.1:17; 2:1,4).
Although I believe there is nothing anyone can do to call men to the ministry, for that is His work in each heart, we can certainly prepare ourselves to do our best once we're called and use our lives to honor the Lord and serve His people. Paul wrote to Timothy his last letter from death row instructing him to be committed to clearly teaching God’s people God’s ways! “Be diligent to present yourself approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2Ti.2:15)! It is for that purpose Morningstar’s School of Ministry has been established. We look to provide training, encouragement, and tools to those whom God has called, whose desire is to be used by Him in leading His people in the ways of life. That calling, however, will require diligent study, much prayer, and a devotion of heart. For to be a pastor, a missionary, or church planter requires both a calling within and then the labor of preparation without. It is our desire to equip you for the work of the ministry in very practical ways; to know God’s word well and to have an answer for every man for the hope that lies within you (1Pe.3:15). From study habits to book surveys, from missions and eschatology, to preaching labs and biblical counseling, each class is focused on helping you prepare yourself for the calling God has placed upon your life.
May the Lord make His way and will clear for you as you prayerfully consider the Morningstar School of Ministry. It is a desire, as Paul wrote, to do a good work!
Serving Jesus by serving you,
Pastor Jack Abeelen
Statement of Purpose
Since “we train the called, we don’t call the trained,” our vision is to train, equip, edify, and build the spiritual lives of those who are already faithfully serving in ministry here at Morningstar, or in a Bible- teaching, gospel-centered church in the area. Our hope is of serving, improving, and increasing the fruit of their ministry for God’s kingdom, to the building, developing, and advancing of Christ’s Church in the world.
Why Choose Morningstar’s SOM over other area Schools?
We believe that God has given us some of the intangibles here that are simply not taught at other ministry schools that often make or break church planters and pastors. Over half of all church plants in the US fail. Nearly 70 percent of pastoral leaders will not survive the long haul of ministry. Our hope is to equip our men who are called to ministry with the necessary toolbox to succeed and faithfully endure the labor and hardship that ministry promises, while faithfully pleasing Jesus along the way. With any job, the right tools are needed for success, lest we spend hours of time, energy, and resources working in the wrong direction. We seek to equip the pastor with the right toolbox for enduring ministry. We seek to provide an intermediary step for potential leaders through building very practical, usable, leader-driven classes that would serve those who aren’t able to otherwise pursue a theological education, but know that God is stirring on them for deeper gospel service. Classes are early in the morning, to accommodate working at a job. We seek to see churches planted, developed, and edified through the building of godly men.
Who is this School for?
Men who are active, regular, faithful servants at a Bible-teaching church. In the words of Pastor Chuck Smith, “We train the called, we don’t call the trained.” Therefore our first conviction is that you are already actively, and faithfully, serving in a church, which shows your love for a people rather than a position. These classes are narrowly focused upon ministry men (future and current pastors, church planters, missionaries, and elders), rather than a broadly-focused Bible College.
When does Morningstar School of Ministry meet?
Classes for both 1st and 2nd year students are two days a week, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Welcome to the School of Ministry
Prospective Student,
We are thrilled that you are prayerfully considering Morningstar School of Ministry. We believe very passionately in the call to build men, who by God’s grace and mantle in their lives, will build godly marriages, families, and churches. Our passion is to see churches planted, developed, and edified, all by the grace of God, for the glory of God. We believe this happens through the building of godly men. We believe that we can offer you some of the intangibles that the fire of ministry will require of you, and our prayer for you is that we might sufficiently prepare you to abide in biblical faithfulness for the long haul of ministry, so you can finish your race, and run it well. In an era where so many leave behind faithfulness for frivolity, fame, and the lure of false fruit, it’s our desire to produce men who will hear Jesus speak to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).
For your Joy in Jesus,
Chris McCulloch, School Director
