This is a reflection written by Valmy Karemera, a previous CAMPUS missionary intern on the ordination service of Justin Kim, the assistant director of CAMPUS resource department.
As I sat in that auditorium on a beautiful and sunny day, my mind raced back to the events that happened two thousands years ago. Besides being the first place where the Disciples of Christ were called Christians, it was also in Antioch that the Holy Sprit announced, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
Before these men were ordained or “set apart” for a Holy Work, they had already proved themselves to be ministers of God (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9). First they heeded the call to ministry (Acts 9:15, 20ff); secondly, they “preached Christ”, brought many souls into the church, and established churches (Acts 9:20, 21, 22; 11: 26); Thirdly and finally, they possessed the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17; 13:3).
By the Church of Antioch “setting apart” Paul and Barnabas through the “laying of hands,” she was bestowing upon these men the trust “not only to teach the truth, but to perform the rite of baptism and to organize churches, being invested with full ecclesiastical authority” (Acts of Apostles, p. 161).
This recognition and appointment by the church did not imply that “a power came at once upon those who received such ordination, which immediately qualified them for any and all ministerial work, as though virtue lay in the act of laying on of hands” (The Story of Redemption, p. 304). Rather, these men were chosen and publically commissioned by the church to perform special ministerial functions.
Coming back to the auditorium, it was my good friend Justin Kim’s ordination. Friends and family members gathered in Cedar Lake, Michigan to show their support and appreciation for his exemplary dedication and leadership in ministry.
As a former student missionary under Justin’s feet, I recall when the seed of consecrating my entire life to ministry began to take shape. During a lecture on “Worldviews,” Justin briefly shared with us the unfinished aspects of Adventist theology and the implication of preaching “the everlasting Gospel.”
While I aspired to go into medicine, this challenge sent fire in my bones. A lifetime commitment to fulltime ministry and task of finishing the Adventist theology led me to the seminary two years later. Justin’s friendship continues to inspire me to a passionate, moral, and intellectual commitment to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, its theology and mission.
I sat watching Justin ordained and my heart was filled with joy knowing that God who called light to shine into darkness has called Justin to shine and be a testimony to the whole world. On June 18th, 2011; the church recognized this calling and set him apart.
View the ordination
address transcript.
