Be Open to Where the Lord is Leading
Holly Miguel, HopePointe Anglican Church
1. What is BSF ? And how did you serve?
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF - https://www.bsfinternational.org ) is a verse by verse Bible study that was started by missionary Audrey Wetherell Johnson in 1959 when she was approached by 5 women who
wanted to learn the Bible. It has grown into an international, interdenominational Bible study with over 1250 classes that meet each week in over 120 nations. Last year, I was able to serve with BSF as a
Children’s Leader, co-teaching the junior high and senior high students in our evening class location in The Woodlands, TX.
2. What impact did BSF have on you/ your Children’s lives? I was invited to attend with a friend while my family lived in California. The in-depth study intrigued me but I also was drawn to the fact that they had a children’s program that taught the same lesson to the kids at a level they could grasp. My daughter was 2 at the time and she could spend her morning learning about Jesus as her mama did too. That same
daughter just turned 13 and we now live in Texas. God has allowed us to remain in BSF this whole time as well as introduce 2 little brothers and a daddy/hubby to it also. This winter we will introduce our family’s newest
addition to BSF as another baby Miguel will start BSF in my infant carrier.
3. Share some other ways you have served in your community or your church during previous seasons.
Each season of life has brought new or different ways to serve. I have served in the church or community as long as I can remember. Church work days, nursery worker, youth group volunteer, community youth
program tutor, homeless outreach, international missions trips serving in areas of VBS, Teen coffee bar outreach, women’s prison outreach, orphanage outreach, stateside Women’s Bible study small group leader,
home small group leader/ hostess, children’s worship leadership team, prayer ministry, cup bearer, flower guild...
4. What is this new season you find yourself in? Where is the Lord calling
you to serve right now? Though the ways the Lord has allowed me to serve has varied over the
years, there has always been some way he could use me. This season is a bit more lean on service outside of my home. It is a season of service more to my growing family as we continue our 10th year of
homeschooling, and we are adding a 4th Miguel kiddo come November. I am also supporting my husband as he follows his call as a priest while he finishes up his seminary studies. We are always seeking and listening for what the Lord is leading us to do next.
5. How has becoming a pastor’s wife changed how you serve ( if at all)? Knowing that our time commitments were going to change with my husband returning to school for seminary meant we had to look at what we
were doing as a family and see what areas may need to change. Protecting our marriage and family time is a priority. Family meals and homemade pizza nights were to be preserved. As opportunities come up we weigh
them individually and as a couple to make sure it fits with how we feel directed by God for our family. With Elmer becoming a pastor we have increased some areas of service and pulled back in others as well. Some of
this has depended on our family’s needs at the time. Is daddy going to away a bit more often due to classes or church commitments? Are there ways our kids can be involved in the service? Is there a need to make time
with other families in similar seats or mark a date on the calendar for family time between large time commitments? Pastor’s lives are busy. Family life is important. We see how the duties of a pastor and the
commitment to family can go together or are making sure each gets its own much needed time. Currently my service is more focused on homeschooling my growing family and supporting my husband. I am
grateful for that time for I know this season will change someday all too soon.
6. What ( if any ) advice do you have for other women in other seasons of life trying to find their niche to serve the Lord?Be open to where the Lord is leading. If you are not sure where that is try thinking about what interests you or something you have always wanted to try. Don’t hesitate to try something new or a bit challenging. If the Lord is leading you to do something new or a bit challenging then He will provide
more than what you need to make it happen. Trust and walk in His leading. It is ok to say no to areas of service that you really don’t believe the Lord is leading you. Your service is for Him, not others.
7. Do you have a favorite quote about serving the Lord and/or His people? Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people
Ephesians 6:7
