Josue

Greetings everyone, what honor it is to stand on these hallowed grounds of Mount Pisgah Academy, from where I am a proud graduate, as is Pastor Josias here, and have the privilege to recommend ordination for my colleague, friend, and brother Pastor Josue Sanchez.

I first met Josue while a student at Southern Adventist University. He was not yet a theo Major and he’ll be the first to tell you his testimony was still being written at that time. We didn’t really roll in the same circles yet so I didn’t know him to well. Years later Josue joined our conference as a pastor. Almost 2 years ago I was checking into our hotel during conference constituency meetings and I get a text from Josue Sanchez out of the blue inviting me to join him to get some food before we had to report for our duties at the camp.

Josue looking back, I can see now very clearly, that was a divine appointment.

See it was there at that local Mexican eatery we got to chat, talk ministry and other things and realized we saw ministry a lot a like. I was definitely excited for Josue to be part of the Carolina conference team. Fast forward a few months later, I was reached out to by the conference about the possibility of becoming the next lead pastor at Raleigh SDA, and when I eventually accepted that call, I was asked who would be my ideal replacement Spartanburg as the associate there. I recommended Josue Sanchez. Now the conference rarely listens to my recommendations, because they elected not to have Josue replace me, but have him come and work with me.

Being that I had served as an associate myself for the past 4 years prior to Raleigh, I had a little bit of a wish list, in a person I could work with.

I wanted to work with someone who was balanced, not overly conservative or liberal and could truly love people even if they had differences.

I wanted to work with someone who had unique strengths in areas I may be weaker at.

I wanted to work with someone who was not a yes man. Someone who would challenge me and hold me accountable and someone who could both give and take constructive criticism.

I wanted to work with someone who works hard but has his priorities right when it comes to putting his family first.

I wanted to with someone who was a good communicator, both with me and with the church.

But most of all I wanted to work with someone who was passionate about communicating Jesus into people’s lives through more than just preaching but in service and visitation.

As an example, the first month he began serving in Raleigh, The Vine, and Bethel Haitian, we had a church member’s father pass away, and he immediately not just joined me in visiting, but visited independently. A few month later I had another member in the hospital. I had found out the night before and was going to text Josue the next morning about the individual, when I arrived, the family told me Josue had just left and had actually beaten me there and had already visited and prayed with the family.

Josue’s story is pretty amazing. The Lord brought him out of some major things. His testimony is his to share, and as I have witnessed, he’s never attempted to glorify himself in sharing his story but only Jesus. Because of the things he’s gone through, I believe people he ministers to gravitate to him as a very relatable person.

Not unlike the disciples of Jesus, I believe Jesus looked at Josue at moments in his life where he may have felt furthest from Him, and told him, “Follow me!”

Follow me, and I’ll make you a fisher of men.

Well not only is Josue a fisherman, but he has definitely become a fisher of men. He has accepted the call to ministry and gone where God has led him. He has a wonderful companion in ministry in Steffy and beautiful daughter Abby who my little girl, a year younger looks up to and is so excited to see every chance she gets.

Josue the Lord has provided you with everything you need to do ministry.

I want to leave you with a passage I have to remind myself daily:

Jesus speaking to his disciples says in John 15 verse 4

John 15:4–5 ESV

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Josue and Josias, and Jonathan and every minister and layperson here.

You can be the best visiting pastor, preacher, board chair, conference president etc. but Jesus says if you do not abide in Him, you can do nothing.

Your power, your effectiveness, your skillset, your ability to love and discern as a minister comes from Jesus and not from yourself.

If you want to be a true anointed communicator for Jesus filled with Heavenly wisdom, consider Jame 3:17

James 3:17 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Keep these heavenly principles in mind and in your hearts and I know you will be successful in all that you do!

Elder Louis, Haskell, Darryl, Ricardo, Glen I’m honored to recommend Josue to be ordained to gospel ministry, but the truth is, I am only recommending and affirming what God has already made clear that he has called Josue to be a worker in the field for Him.

Praise God for what he has done! Josue thank-you for answering His call!