By Richard Tew/ NASA correspondent and faith columnist for The Post Newspaper
Ministering to God’s people. From the simplest of gestures to a planned outreach program and everything in between, all can be used to further God’s will for us to help others.
As long as I have known him, Josef Bilnoski and his family were pillars in our church, the Watters Road Church of Christ in Pasadena. Regular outings with church families would find us all running in the same circles.
As we all got older and high school was in the rearview mirror, we started to see more and more of our friends participate in the all-to-common exodus from their childhood church.
A collegiate path, entry into the workforce, general disinterest or just a yearning to travel their own path away from family traditions slowly led many of our 20-somethings away from their church homes.
Though many left, several, including Josef stayed.
I remember browsing the weekly announcements tucked into the back of our favorite back row pew and reading, “lesson by Josef Bilnoski” one Sunday. I was surprised but hopeful his new-found interest in preaching would be a successful one.
Talking about those early days proclaiming God’s word to a audience Josef says it wasn’t the fear of the crowd but rather accidently preaching in error which made him nervous: “The biggest fear for me was that I would say something incorrect, something that went against scripture; that was the biggest fear.”
Relocating to the Impact Church of Christ near downtown Houston led to new opportunities to develop his interest in ministry. A youth minister position opened up and was offered to him which would eventually lead to roles as a preaching minister for the church.
Josef says the acceptance of his first official position as minister “Totally changed life for my wife and I.” He would eventually leave the Impact church and accept the senior minister position at the West University Church of Christ.
A recent conversation with Josef shed light on his interest in ministry. He says he never thought his interest in the Bible would lead him to the pulpit. He took classes in Bible studies for three years at the South Houston Bible Institute just to learn more about God’s word, nothing more. He also took a two year course in automotive technology with no interest in becoming a mechanic but rather just to learn how cars work.
Ultimately, Josef found himself drawn more and more to ministry and says anyone can find their calling in God’s service. He noted several instances where what seemed to be small gestures would be the very thing certain people would remember him for as he got older. He said, “It taught me a huge lesson that something that seems so small could have such a big impact. Going to see people when they are hurting, when they’re down, funerals, visiting people when they are sick, those things matter, those things are important.”
My conversation with Josef reminded me whether it’s a small, thoughtful gesture or a more concerted effort to plan a ministry, our talents can and should be used in ways that glorify God and help others. Maybe it’s making food, fashioning quilts, visiting the sick or planning a new ministry in our churches or online, the impact of those efforts can bless those around us in ways we could never imagine.
To hear the full interview with Josef Bilnoski, follow this link: My interview with West University Church of Christ Senior Minister Josef Bilnoski. by Richard Tew
When he isn’t writing on NASA or issues of faith, Richard Tew teaches Irish dance to ages three through adult in Clear Lake. Learn more at www.tewirishdance.wordpress.com.
