Back in 2022, God laid on my heart the date of April 30, 2026 for my retirement from the Kentucky Baptist Convention. While there is no retiring from following and serving our Lord, disciples must stay sensitive to where He leads. The result in my life has been continual prayer about what is next. By the way, my retirement announcement was made on Monday to the Mission Board of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Listen and Stay Flexible
When God speaks, pay attention. Listen. For me, there have been many surprises on my ministry journey. An early surprise when God called me was that He waited. As an eighteen-year-old, the Lord had called four friends into ministry. But He waited a couple of years to call me. And my early concept of His call was youth ministry, but God had other purposes for me. The Lord blessed and used me in serving churches in education (discipleship) and administration, but He shocked me again by calling me to serve Him through the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Don’t put God or how He uses you in a box. Listen and stay flexible.
Step out Boldly
When He calls you to step into something new, realize that He will be with you. Recognize that He has prepared you. But also understand that it will be a step of faith. When God called me to serve Him through the Kentucky Baptist Convention, I was intimidated. The idea that He was calling me to serve with 2300+ pastors, sets of directors, and sets of teachers was overwhelming. In fact, the weekend before I needed to give Vernon Cole an answer, I prayed an honest prayer: “God, I can’t do it.” And while I did not hear an out loud response, I heard a very clear answer: “Darryl, I am glad you figured it out. I did not want you to do it anyway. I want you to let me do it through you.” With that assurance, I told Vernon yes when he called. When and wherever God calls, step out boldly.
Be Patient and Faithful Where You Are
Along the way, I have had many opportunities to serve in other ministries. I was asked to consider opportunities to serve at Lifeway, another convention, and churches. Every invitation was an exciting challenge to serve that also offered more money, but God did not release me from His call to the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Sure of my call, I had no questions or second-guessing. The clarity of His call allowed me to get to know the mission He had given me along with the mission field: the churches, staff, and people of Kentucky. And 28 years of service here has been a blessing. So be faithful where you are. Don’t itch to be somewhere else. Be fulfilled and fulfilling in what He sets your hands to do for Him.
Retirement: What Is Next?
The truth is that I don’t yet know. But I trust Him and am not fearful of making an announcement of retirement before knowing what’s next. I accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord more than 50 years ago. He has walked faithfully with me. I know He will be with me. I know it’s time to pass the baton. And for me re-tire simply means “putting on four new tires so I’m ready to go again!”
So let me ask you: are you listening to Him? Are you bold and flexible? Are you patient and faithful where you are? Make a difference with every opportunity He gives you. Be revolutionary!
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