Start Ministry On Time!

This is the bold instruction I wrote on a sticky note and posted on the louvre of my little room in Ibadan about six years ago before I left there.

Why did I write it? I looked at my life and the considerable impact I have made on the people God has sent me to. I looked at the articles, the speaking engagement, the empowerment sessions, the impact sessions, the books I’ve written, and the people I’ve guided and mentored. Yes regardless of all my efforts, the webinars and videos I’ve done to educate and inspire people about discovering and delivering their gifts. I wrote this inscription when I realized all I’ve done was not enough.

I started writing early. I had a solid conviction about what I should be doing with my gifts. I listened to God and paid attention to glean and scribble every single instruction I heard the same way I’m doing now. But I never knew I was in ministry. So that fateful afternoon, when I looked around me. I said I was going to tell everyone, particularly younger people around me to start their ministry on time. Not because I started mine late, but because I didn’t realize that what I was doing was ministry.

Very early this year, I was on a clarity call with one of my community members. He needed clarity about his conviction for ministry. I reached out to give him guidance consistent with my understanding and experience with the subject. During the call, I told him “I am in ministry” even though I could not see his face, the awkward silence at his end showed that he was puzzled and told me that he didn’t know that what I was doing was ministry. I smiled and explained to him. Ministry is what we do for men on behalf of God. It is an assignment and commission whose provision, delivery, and resources are attributed to God. You don’t have to mention God. I digressed.

I did not write this inscription as an instruction for myself. I wrote it for you. You don’t have to hear a loud voice saying, “Pick your things and head North” No. Any service to man, done for the sake of God or to the Glory of His name is ministry. Oh, I disliked the word ‘Ministry’ it gives me unexplainable anxiety even though I know that I’m blessing people with my writings because God tooled and commissioned me for it. The insight and wisdom are for people. The initiative and drive are not from me, it’s from God. I wrote, trained, and spoke even when I had no gift or rewards. I did it because that was what He made me for.

This morning, as I observed my devotion, I remembered the little strip of instruction on my louvre in Ibadan and I remember you. As soon as you discover that you have a desire to bless people as instructed and conditioned by God. Start. Counseling people, blessing them with material things, giving insight, mentoring, leadership etc. Business can become a ministry only when and if it’s major purpose is to serve God. I am not pushing you to open a church if that’s not what God is saying. And if it is, pack your bags. This instruction is majorly for people in the marketplace. People who are serving with their gifts and talents. While I’m not writing for only Christians, non-Christians can resonate. Everyone can do ministry. It is serving people in the name of God and for the sake of God.

Do not allow anyone to tell you you are too small for ministry. It's a trap that will waste your time and strip you of the fulfillment of doing what your heart yearns for. That whisper in your heart is not just a whisper. It's a major call. I promised myself I was going to warn you. That I was going to remind you. That I was going to remind you. I have fulfilled my promise. Reach out to me via mail or through my community for questions and more clarification if you need one. Enjoy the rest of your day and breakthrough from within.

©Abiola Iyiola, 2025

Principal, AI Leadership Consult