ministry – Page 4 – John Markum

Ten things I never learned in Bible College.

Posted on September 8, 2011 by johnmarkum

Pastoring is far more than preaching and having good theology.
Performing exorcisms on technology is routine.
My most significant impact will happen with my smallest audiences.
Doubt, insecurity, pride, and jealousy are constant battles of leaders.
The significance of my personal prayer life could never be overstated.
God forges every leader through the fire of trials – and it will hurt.
The uniqueness of every person demands tailor-made discipleship.
If you’re not in way over your head, you’re not deep enough yet.
Where God leads, God sustains. Always.
My wife would play such a huge role in my ministry by holding me accountable, encouraging me, doing behind-the-scenes work, and speaking life over me.

Baptism Crazy!

Posted on May 14, 2011 by johnmarkum

In case you missed it, Edgewood had an incredible Easter this year! We had 4 worship experiences, with 1,880 people in attendance. Many people gave their life to Christ and many others came back home. In staff meeting this week, we were discussing the wave of momentum that has been upon Edgewood, and as a result, we have baptisms scheduled every week for at least the first 3 weeks after Easter, and maybe as much as 5 weeks straight! And we’re not doing 1 per week to stretch it and make ourselves feel big and important; 2 weekends ago, we baptized 5! Last weekend we baptize another 7 to 9! Within 6 weeks after Easter, we will see a total of 20-30 people go public with their faith through baptism!

I’ve said many times before, but there is no place like Edgewood! It is amazing to experience God’s hand of blessing and power on our church and to see lives being impacted as a result of it all. It never gets old! To everyone in our church family: DO NOT TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED! Let us celebrate all that God is doing and be active in reaching more people for the Kingdom of God. When we see God change a life, it is nothing short of the miraculous, and we must never get to a place where we treat the extraordinary as mundane.

If we give God our praise for all that He is doing, and do our part in leading people to Him, then 20+ baptisms in 6 weeks is just the beginning!

Let’s turn these cities upside-down with the Gospel!

Blessings,

John

10 Reasons I love Edgewood:

Posted on May 11, 2011 by johnmarkum

Every generation is passionate about reaching the next generation. I’m reminded of this every week, by the older generations that speak life into me here.
My pastor (Pastor Brown) is a leader worth following. He sets the bar high for my generation of pastors, and he genuinely loves his church and staff.
Saturday nights at Edgewood (The Awakening) are intense! I love the worship, and all the new people making Edgewood their church home on Saturdays.
The youth of Edgewood are amazing! I make it a point to get to know these people since they are one day going to be in our college ministry. If they have anything to say about it, their generation is not a lost cause.
The legacy of a 100+ year old church. A heritage is about preserving what you have. A legacy is about building from your past.
Lay Leaders. Nothing is more inspiring to me, than the hundreds of people who don’t get paid for it, but pour their heart and soul into the work that God is doing at Edgewood. Whether it’s leading worship, greeting, working with the children, or serving “behind-the scenes,” each of you are living the gospel.
Ignite Singles. What started off as 9 willing and able individuals, now consists of 50+ people passionately becoming more like Jesus and reaching their world for Christ. You are the reason Tiff and I came to Edgewood in the first place. We love all of you!
The staff. Our diversity in ages, backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives makes us a well rounded team. I’ve grown so much as a pastor and leader by working alongside these men and women.
My kids LOVE IT here! Our children’s workers are first class, and Sheila Kuriscak does an amazing job leading them!
I get to see God move powerfully every week through our people. That alone, makes every tough day seem minor. Watching people respond to the leading of God = priceless.