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March 30, 1999, was the official launch of Master's Divinity School and Master's Graduate School of Divinity. I was fifty-four years old. I have never shared publicly the account of how God prepared me for that moment. 

 I wish to share it now in the hope that something from my journey may encourage, and inspire you on your own journey. Time will only permit me to give a few of the relevant high points.

God's preparation began about three years following graduation from Bible College. As a young minister of the Gospel, I felt well-prepared for my first assignment as a senior pastor. However, not long after, I became increasingly aware of how much I still had to learn. Gradually, there came over me a constant sense that somehow, someway I was to go on for further theological training.

I appreciate the fact that many who serve in pastoral ministry are well supported. In many cases, churches provide their pastor with an education fund. If possible, that is the way it should be. My situation was quite the opposite. 

Nevertheless, the sense that God was leading me to go on for further education was persistent and unshakable. To make matters even more challenging, the national economic condition was bad and getting worse. The cost of everything was high, and going higher. Yet, the impression would not go away.

My friend, when you can't shake the leading of God by rationalizing or ignoring it, and you can't even pray it away, you have only two choices - obey or disobey. I thank my God that I had a wife who persisted in encouraging me to obey even though she was probably the most aware of the financial challenge that obeying implied.

Now, this is where the story could get bogged down in detail. So, I will cut to the chase, as they say. In the face of a full-blown national recession, and with no idea (humanly speaking), of how we were going to pay for it, I stepped out on faith. I did the work, and God supplied the needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God proved to me that when He orders anything, He always pays the bill.

Over the following years, I added to my Bible College degree a Master of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Theology. That required many sacrifices, but as King David demonstrated, sacrifices that cost us nothing are not worthy offerings to the Lord (II Samuel 24:24).

In 1989 God used those sacrifices to open the door for a place on the administrative team of one of America's most innovative Theological schools. During my tenure as an administrator, God placed yet another call upon my heart - to become better trained in business affairs. That led me to complete a Master, and a Doctor of Business Administration.

So, there you have it. As you can imagine, there are lots of details left out, but the central point is that without the learning and the credentials, the opportunities would not have been opened. Most importantly, without obedience, learning would never have taken place. I know you will agree that obedience is always better than excuses or shortcuts (I Samuel 15:22).

Now, I would like to plug you into the picture. Of course, I cannot know your situation. I cannot know if God is calling you to further theological or even secular training. But I do know that God never reveals His specific plans very far beyond our obedience to the next step.

There is a wonderful illustration of this in a selection from Frances Ridley Havergal's classic book, Kept for the Master's Use. Referring to our intellect, Havergal wrote: 

"Often, in the most unexpected ways, and at the most unexpected turns, something read or acquired long ago suddenly comes into use. We cannot foresee what will thus 'come in useful'; but He knew, when He guided us to learn it, what it would be wanted for in His service. So may we not ask Him to bring His perfect foreknowledge to bear on all our mental training and storing? [sic] to guide us to read or study exactly what He knows there will be used for in the work to which He has called us or will call us?" ( pub. 1879 ch. VIII).

Some may say, "That is all well and good, but I should have started earlier, I am now past my prime." I beg to differ. Moses was 80 when God called him, and he served another forty years in the gainful employ of the Lord (Deuteronomy 34:7, Joshua 5:6). 

Caleb was forty-five when he was sent by Moses to spy out the Land, and eighty-five when he was granted his request to settle the hill country of Hebron (Joshua 14:7,10). 

God led me in preparation but kept me unaware of His ultimate plan until I was fifty-four years of age, and then opened the door for me to be the founder of what is now Master's International University of Divinity.

I know you get the point. And, because you do, I say to you in the words of the writer of the Book of Hebrews: " Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:23-25 NASV).

As we look around us, it seems obvious that the day is drawing near. We have no time to waste, and only God knows how much time remains to invest. I hope that what I have shared will encourage you all the more as you see the day drawing near.

If you are not already a MIUD student or graduate but are aware of God's leading to go on for further ministry education, then obedience is the only logical choice. MIUD may or may not be the right choice (if not then find the one that is), but we have great programs within easy reach online from anywhere at any time, and generous cost-saving and inflation-fighting payment options.

If you are a current MIUD student, don't give in, and don't give up. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6 NASV).

If you are a MIUD graduate, you already know from personal experience that what I have shared about God's calling and provision is true in your own life and ministry. For you, "I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers" (III John 1:2 NASV).

However, God may be leading you, to follow His leading is the only wise course of action "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29 NASV).

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13 NASV). And, may I add - "Be kept and made ready for the Master's use."