Episode Title: The Pastoral Journey – Part 3: How It All StartedHosts: Pastors Duane Matthews & Kea Matthews (the devilSlayers)Scripture Focus: Ephesians 4:11-14Topic: The Pastoral Journey, PT. 3: How It All StartedEpisode Overview:In this insightful episode of The Love Chapters, Pastors Duane and Kea Matthews continue their series, The Pastoral Journey, with Part 3, titled How It All Started. Focusing on Ephesians 4:11-14, they explore how God equips and calls individuals into ministry and the importance of embracing that calling. Through their personal stories, they reflect on the origins of their ministry and how they responded to God's call to become pastors and leaders.Key Scripture:"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."— Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)Key Discussion Points:The Fivefold Ministry:Pastors Duane and Kea break down the roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—and how each role is essential for building up the body of Christ. They share personal reflections on how they identified their calling within this framework.God's Calling and the Early Days of Ministry:The pastors recall how their pastoral journey began, including their initial fears and doubts. They discuss how God spoke to them and provided opportunities for service, leading them to embrace their roles as pastors and spiritual leaders.Equipping the Saints:A central theme of the discussion is how pastors and leaders are meant to "equip" others for the work of ministry. Duane and Kea emphasize the importance of empowering others to use their gifts and talents for the kingdom of God.Spiritual Maturity and Unity:Drawing from Ephesians 4:13-14, the pastors explain how the ultimate goal of ministry is to bring believers to spiritual maturity and unity in the faith. They talk about the role of pastors in guiding people to grow in their understanding of Christ and become fully grounded in their faith.Challenges in the Early Ministry:The devilSlayers share personal stories of the challenges they faced early in their ministry, including moments of uncertainty and obstacles that tested their faith. They offer practical advice for those who feel called to ministry but may be struggling with doubt or fear.Kea Matthews: "God calls us not because we are perfect, but because He has a perfect plan for our lives. Our journey started when we said ‘yes’ to His call, even though we didn’t know what the future would hold."Duane Matthews: "Ephesians 4 reminds us that the role of a pastor isn’t just to preach but to equip others to walk in their purpose. Ministry is about building the body of Christ, and it all starts with answering His call."Takeaways:God equips each of us for service in His kingdom. Recognize and embrace your calling, whether it's as a pastor, teacher, or in another ministry role.Spiritual maturity is an ongoing process. Be open to growing in faith and knowledge, as guided by the Holy Spirit and spiritual leaders.Ministry is not a solo journey—it’s about equipping others to walk in their calling as well.Connect with Pastors Duane & Kea Matthews (the devilSlayers): INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE