Saying “Yes” to the Call

The summer before my senior year of college, I attended a Cursillo weekend, the forerunner of The Upper Room’s Walk to Emmaus. Little did I know it would change my life forever.

On the second night of the retreat, we were scattered around The Upper Room Chapel. After listening to the speaker, we were invited into a time of silent reflection. I focused my gaze on the life-size carving of The Last Supper, hanging in the front of the chapel. As I looked from figure to figure, I was drawn to Jesus. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Him.

Out of nowhere, I heard a voice say, “I want you to go to seminary, get a master’s degree in Christian education, and work with youth.”  Stunned, I turned around to see who spoke. There was no one. 

Again, I looked at the figure of Jesus.

I heard the same calm voice: “I want you to go to seminary, get a master’s degree in Christian education, and work with youth.”

I jumped out of the pew and bolted out the door. Finding my friend, I said, “You’ll never believe what happened to me.  I just heard a voice that told me to go to seminary. Who was that?’” 

“It was God,” he said.

“Why is God talking to me?” I asked.

 “Because God wants you to serve in ministry,” he replied.

I never would have considered ministry as a vocation if I hadn’t had such a clear calling from God that night. 

Thank you, Upper Room, for providing support to nurture young people’s spiritual formation and for creating opportunities to hear God’s voice. 

Vicki Walker is the Minister of Mission and Outreach at Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida.

Throughout her life, and in particular in her current role at Hyde Park UMC, Vicki has been a supporter of The Upper Room. By supporting Chrysalis, Discovery Weekend, and Journey to the Table, the youth and young adult ministries of The Upper Room, you can join Vicki and countless others in giving youth and young adults the opportunity to hear from God. 

This month, we are raising funds for our youth and young adult ministries. Please join us by investing in the spiritual lives of our young people, who are our today and tomorrow.