Baptist City Blog

A Momma Called Preacher

1 Samuel 3:20

"And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD."

One of the greatest crisis' that is coming to America is a lack of preachers. This may sound strange, but the fact is fewer young people are going into full-time service than what we have ever had. This crisis is due to the parents, pastors, and Christian schools not having the proper vision for our youth. God always uses men of God to help save a nation. With fewer young people going into full-time service, there will come a day when there won't be enough men of God to fill the pulpits of our churches. Don't get me wrong, I believe there will always be a remnant of preachers to proclaim truth, but there will not be enough preachers to reach every city for Christ.

The life story of Samuel is a great example of what to do to produce men of God. It says in the verse above, that all Israel "...knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD." It was obvious to everyone that this young man would one day be a prophet. However, what brought Samuel to the point that everyone knew he would be a prophet is the same thing we must do today if we are going to produce preachers for our nation. Let me show you several things that made Samuel a prophet of God.

First, it took parents who wanted him to become a preacher. Before Samuel was even born, his parents had given him to God to become a preacher. Yes, he was momma called! I am weary of this mentality we have in Christianity that parents shouldn't tell their children that they want them to go into full-time service. It is amazing that we think it is fine for Christian parents to tell their children that they want them to take over the family business, or to make a career in sports or the business world, but we don't think it is right for parents to rear their children to be preachers. THIS IS ABSURD, SELFISH AND IRRESPONSIBLE! If it is perfectly fine for parents to tell their children to follow a certain career, then it is perfectly fine for you to rear your child to be a preacher.

Second, it took parents who were willing to give their child to God. Samuel was barely weaned from his mother when his parents completely gave him to God. Parents, there needs to be a time when you give your child completely to God for His use. I don't know what God wants for your child, but I do know that you should give them to God at an early age. Your children are not really yours, they are simply on loan to you from God. Therefore, giving your child back to God should not difficult.

Third, it took parents who involved their child in God's service at a young age. If you want your children to have a heart for God and His work, then you need to get them involved in serving God at a young age. Don't wait until they are teenagers to start serving God, but start bringing them with you at a young age as you serve Him. This will help create a heart in them to want to serve the LORD.

Finally, it took a preacher who had the same vision that the parents had for the child. One of the mistakes I see in our churches today are preachers who really don't want their young people to leave the church to become preachers because they are more interested in building their own kingdom. If our young people are going to go into full-time service, then the church leaders are also going to have to point the young people towards full-time service. When both the parents and the church leaders are going the same direction, then you will have a better chance of your children serving God full-time.

Parents, don't be selfish with your children. The greatest thing that your child could do with their life is to serve God full-time. Make it your desire for your children to be full-time servants of God, and then make that desire known to your children.