Amen Bains

Director of Church Relations

I have been blessed to call Calvary Church both my church, my ministry, my job, and my family for the last 6 years. It continues to be an incredible blessing in my life that encourages me, challenges me, and helps me grow into the type of disciple Christ is calling me to be. As I enter my 5th year on the ministry staff team, I desire the fullness of Christ to continue being displayed through me.

Each year, I try to pick a verse that will both challenge and encourage me as the year goes on. Often, it describes the season of life that God is walking me through.

In the Fall of 2005, as I uprooted my life and moved to Los Angeles, Colossians 3:23-24 really sustained me and kept my focus on God during a time when I was very uncertain of this new direction He was taking me. I was trying to learn that no matter what, my obedience to Him needed to be at the forefront of my mind.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Earlier this year I began pursuing my Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary. A verse from 2 Timothy 4 continued appearing in my life and during the Summer of 2008, it was the final piece of the puzzle to assure me that pursuing my education was the next step God was taking me on. 

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

This year, I continue to keep my mind focused and ready for what God has prepared for me. I want to continue focusing on a life that is holy, a life where I am constantly seeking righteousness. 1 Peter 1 is my encouragement and goal.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

Email: abains@calvarypalisades.org