Twenty Years Ago
On Sunday, April 10, 2005, I was ordained to Gospel ministry. I was ordained by the good people at Temple Baptist Church in Durham, NC. I had graduated from Duke Divinity School the previous May and had begun my ministry as the Associate Minister at Temple in November.
Ministry wasn’t new to me. Ministry began for me in North Hall dorm at the University of Redlands. My roommate Britt and I had been active in Bible Study on campus and my junior year (his sophomore year) we moved into a gigantic triple room with our friend Brian with the purpose of leading a Bible Study in North Hall. Our room had comfy couches and a coffee maker. We told everyone that our door was always open. It was my first experience of ministry, and I loved every minute of it.
The years between North Hall and Temple Baptist were rich. Years of campus ministry, Bible study after Bible study, and three amazing years as a divinity school student at Duke University.
At Duke I took every class I could with Stanley Hauerwas. He was the reason I chose to study at Duke. I had read Resident Aliens years before and its vision of ministry captured my imagination. Studying with Hauerwas was challenging, formative and wonderful.
Temple was a great place for me to land. I was the Associate Minister who did a little bit of everything. I was the Youth Minister, the Senior Adult Minister, the Education Minister; I served as Children’s Minister for a time, built the website, changed the message board and preached. I’m grateful for the many opportunities I had to learn church ministry.
I’m grateful to St. John’s Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC who recognized my gifts and allowed me to transition from Associate Minister to Senior Pastor. Ministry along Oberlin Rd. was dynamic and exciting. It was a joy to partner with Pastor Soki Kebi and his Congolese congregation.
Northside Drive Baptist Church is a true church home for me. With deep liturgical worship, theological bite and full inclusivity, it is a joy to pastor Northside Drive. Together we are truly offering the world something different, something beautiful.
As I look back on twenty years of ministry, my heart is full of gratitude. There is nothing in the world I’d rather do than be part of God’s work in the world. I offer my deep heartfelt thanks to all who have led me and encouraged me along the way.
Scott Hovey
Login To Leave Comment