Origin Stories

Welcome to the Best Practices for Adventist Ministry podcast. While much of pastoral ministry may seem ordinary there is a mystical element that permeates every aspect. It all begins with the origin story of a pastor which we refer to as the ‘call to ministry’. In 2015 we featured the origin stories of a dozen pastors at the CALLED Pastors Convention in Austin. We’re going to share three of those stories today. But the thing is, that mystical quality, the call to ministry, never stops with the origin story. So today we won’t stop with the origin stories,  we’re going to get updates from those same pastors as we trace the mystical call to ministry.

Here’s the guests on this month’s show in order of appearance:

Act One: Richie Halversen

Richie Halversen stood at the crossroads between life and death one more time. 

“I got caught up in substance abuse and lived a very selfish lifestyle. At the bitter end I ended up in jails, institutions. That last time I was in the treatment center I came to a crossroads that I had been to many times before. Do I keep going to chase after that high that I knew did not exist anymore? I heard an audible voice from God that if you go out that door, you'll die, but if you give your heart to me right now I'll change your life and I want to use you. And that day I made my decision to give my heart to God.”

You can watch the short version of the interview here, or the full length interview here. 

Since we last talked with Richie, he's become senior pastor at Bowman Hills in Cleveland Tennessee. 

He also has begun to tell his story of recovery from addiction to wider circles. He published his story in the book The Darkness will not Overcome, published by Pacific Press.  

Richie also has some recommendations for pastors, family and friends, and anyone affected by addictions. He has found working with the resources of Celebrate Recovery helpful.  

Act Two: Harold Altamirano

Pastor Harold also shared with me the story of his call to ministry for the 2015 CALLED Convention. His call was sparked by a short intense conversation with a stranger: 

“I was recently baptized after struggling with alcohol for a number of years. I was struggling in my marriage, ended up in jail, and in that process, God called me into the church. One day being in church for about a year, this one lady waited for me outside. it was really weird, and I remember going out and saying 'Hi' to the pastor and I remember this lady I didn't know her, came at me, and she held me and she told me you are running from God like Moses, and she told me 'you need to be a pastor'.”

You can watch the short version of his interview here, or the full length interview here.

Since the last time we talked, Harold’s call to ministry has taken a radical turn. 

“My life took a turn that I was not expecting.  It happened actually three weeks ago.  Here I am packing,  about to sell my house.”

Harold has transitioned to the specialized ministry of hospital chaplaincy. 

If anyone reading this is interested in chaplaincy they can find out more information at NAD Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries.  

Act Three: David Franklin

While David Franklin's prayers for excelling in a fortune 500 company were being answered, God had a bigger dream:

“I never wanted to be a pastor. Then maybe that's the story for a lot of folks, but for me it's absolutely true. My plans were to go to a Fortune 500 company, be a marketing executive, make some money, have some power, and enjoy life. I grew up in church, enjoyed church, participated in church but God had other plans...One fateful night, under the African Sky in Zambia, I was preaching, and I felt like I had done a terrible job; the worst job I had ever done in my life. I'd preached other places, but this was my worst sermon in my opinion, and I felt like giving up. But then I heard God say I've got you exactly where I want you. And so that night I surrendered to God. I said 'God, if you can use me like this, then I'll do whatever you want me to do.' That was the night that I said yes to God, and responded to his call.”

You can watch the short version of the interview here, or the full length interview here.

That mystical calling continues, and David has been the lead pastor at Miracle City church in Baltimore for many years. I recently caught up with David for an update on how God is currently calling him. The name of the church changed from Miracle Temple to Miracle Temple. David explains that instead of just praying for miracles within the congregation, he wanted to be a part of miracles happening all through Baltimore. His church is active in addressing some of the injustice and systemic issues that are present in his community.  

David Franklin currently serves as Senior Pastor of Miracle City Church. 

-Dave Gemmell,  Host of Adventist Ministry Podcast