Meet the Team: Michael Pack

Over the last few months, the Lord led Michael and David to leave their positions and join the ETJ team. They have brilliant minds and great hearts. Both men are faithful members of our home church, diligent soul winners, and encouragers to the pastor. They have already been such a help to our team and are a personal blessing to me.

You will see and hear more from them in the days ahead. Many of the new tools and resources that are in the pipeline will have their fingerprints on them. I am grateful for godly men who are willing to labor behind the scenes to further the cause of Christ. Would you pray for them?

In previous “Meet the Team” articles, I have tried to introduce the men and women who are helping us get the work done every day. Because Michael and David have such a unique testimony and perspective, I thought it would be good for you to hear a little of their journey in their own words. Ask the Lord how He might use you to help your pastor, strengthen your church, and advance the gospel at home and around the world. (Read David’s HERE).

– Scott Pauley

“Christian service is only for those who are called into full-time ministry.”

That is what I would have said if you had asked me as a child, or even as a young adult, as to whether I should be using my gifts to serve God.

I was not antagonistic to the things of God — far from it. I was raised in a Christian home. I attended a church every week and learned about Jesus and His love for me. I attended Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, youth group activities. I was even a shepherd in the Christmas play. But as far as I was concerned, I was not called into the ministry. I couldn’t see how I could use my gifts related to computer science in a meaningful way.

I had an interest in computers from a young age. My siblings and I were blessed to receive a computer from our parents when I was in the fifth grade. This is also around the same time that I was saved and baptized. Now, if you believe in coincidences, you might say that this was a coincidence. But looking back, I have come to believe that, even at this young age, God was preparing me for His service.

When I went to college, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to go into secular work involving computers. Where was I going to work? I didn’t have a clue. I didn’t even know anyone at my college when I arrived except for my roommate, who also happened to be my twin brother.

I felt a desire to become involved with a Christian organization at the college. I wanted to have Christian friends who could support me in my walk with God, as well as to provide fellowship in an environment where I felt very alone. The one that I felt drawn to was called Campus Light, and it was run by a faithful faculty member who cared enough about the students at the college to hold a weekly Bible study, plan activities, and work with a local church to provide a van to allow students like me without a car to attend the Wednesday night service of a local Independent Baptist Church.

As I learned the fundamentals of computer science and mathematics, I was also learning more about God and His Word. I knew what I believed, but I realized that I didn’t know why I believed it. Campus Light, along with the preaching and outreach of that local church, provided me with a solid foundation to carry into my adulthood.

After graduating, I moved to Woodbridge, VA to work as a software engineer. I was starting over again in a new place where I didn’t know anyone except for my roommate, who also happened to be my twin brother. But I knew I wanted to attend a church similar to the one I attended in college. I opened the yellow pages (remember those?) and found an ad for an Independent Baptist Church. When I arrived, it turned out that the pastor of the church had preached a revival at the church I was able to attend in college, thanks to that Wednesday night bus. Another coincidence? No. Another evidence of God’s working in my life.

I still had a desire to learn more about what I believed, and while I was attending this church, the pastor and staff began an institute of ministry that I was fortunate to attend and receive my Bachelor of Arts in Theology. Not only did I receive a quality education in doctrine and related topics, but I also had the opportunity to work in several ministry-related positions, such as the bus ministry, children’s church, ushering, etc. At the time, I had doubts as to the practicality of some of the classes and ministry positions in terms of their applicability to my future. “Why do I need to learn Greek? Why do I need to learn to teach?” But again, God was preparing me for future service.

I worked diligently as a software engineer for almost thirty years. But something began to change in me around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why was I no longer satisfied or fulfilled in my work? I felt led to move closer back to my parents in West Virginia, with the goal of spending more time with my family. I reduced my hours at work, hoping that more time away from a job that no longer fulfilled me would be the answer I was seeking, but it seemed to only increase my restlessness. After much prayer, I made the decision to leave my job and submit to God’s will for my life, whatever that may be.

It was a frightening decision. I was stepping away from job security, good pay, benefits, and the comfort of familiarity. But none of those things brought me peace. I didn’t know how long it would be before I found out what God wanted me to do. It turned out that I only had to wait three days.

I had found a local church to join when I moved back to West Virginia, and it so happened that one of the ministries of this church was a gospel outreach called Enjoying the Journey. This ministry was in need of someone with the gifts that God had given me, with the background of ministry and training that I had received, and a willingness to use those gifts in service to God. There could not have been a clearer indication that I was following God’s will for my life than this.

I actually look forward to going to work in the morning again. The days fly by because I am engaged and interested in my work. And it is such a blessing to work with like-minded believers who have a love of Jesus and a heart to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to equip church members with resources to help them study the Bible.

You may not know how to use your gifts for the service of the Lord, but I can assure you from personal experience that He knows exactly how to use you. If I had never made the decision to follow God’s calling on my life, I never would have found out how God could use me, and I would have missed out on the peace and joy I have found in my new position. Following God is never the wrong decision. Take that first step. Allow God to lead you. You may be surprised where you end up, but I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.