Lee student follows call to minister to peers
Photo by Rhianna Barrow.
Junior pastoral ministries major Josiah Ward can be seen ministering to students and strangers across Lee’s campus and surrounding communities. While Ward’s love for classical music originally brought him to Lee in 2018, he has since furthered his desire to explore God’s plan for his life through his vocation.
Daily, Ward is often seen stopping to pray for students on campus. Off-campus, he ministers to customers at the Keith Street Walmart, eagerly abiding by Christ’s commands and sharing what he has learned with anyone he can reach.
“I felt like I was always connected with the Lord, and [ministering was a] part of my calling,” said Ward. Everyone is called to be a witness as Christians. God means so much to me in my life and what he has done, [but ministering] is hard sometimes.”
Ward recognizes the impact prayer has had not only in his life but in those to whom he has witnessed.
“I saw one lady rededicate her life to the Lord,” said Ward. “She felt like she wasn’t in the best place, and I said, ‘God is the God of fresh starts, and you could rededicate your life to the Lord right now.’ Just getting to help with that was super cool. There have been a couple of moments like that at Walmart,” said Ward.
While many amazing encounters have taken place, it is not always easy. Ward shared his difficult experiences to discern God’s will and when people are not receptive to him.
“When I go to public places or Walmart, there are times when people are not super receptive, and that is okay,” said Ward. “My job isn’t to get people saved but to point people to God. There have been times that I look [back on events and I think] ‘yeah, I don’t think God was completely calling me to all I did.’ Nevertheless, I’ve seen God do amazing things and long to be His witness wherever I go,” said Ward.
Senior music education major Dale Sipes has known Ward since freshman year. As the vice president of Symphonic Band, Sipes has the opportunity to practice leadership alongside Ward and witness his progress in his walk with Christ.
“As the chaplain, he will always go up to anyone and ask if they need prayer or anything at all,” said Sipes. “Praying constantly isn’t something everyone takes seriously, but Josiah prays constantly and is always looking out for everyone.”
Professor of Music and Director of Symphonic Band Mark Bailey has been in awe of Ward since his audition for the band in 2018 and was deeply moved by his talent and love of God. Bailey has treasured seeing Ward step into the role of chaplain within the band.
“He is the embodiment of the scripture ‘I am crucified with Christ, so therefore I no longer live. Jesus Christ now lives in me.’ That, to me, is the embodiment of who Josiah is. I wish every student could see that,” said Bailey.
Ward encourages fellow followers of Christ not to be scared to share the Gospel and recognize it as a process.
“Just be encouraged that when we give God our ‘yes,’ He does supply what we need,” Ward said. “There is hope, and there are opportunities [where] so often God is just asking for our yes.”
