What if the fastest way to fulfill your God-given calling was to lay it down and serve someone else’s?

Sample chapter from the brand-new third edition of The Blessing of Serving Another Man’s Ministry — 40th Anniversary Edition.

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Discover how one divine encounter at Oral Roberts University unlocked the blessing of serving another man’s ministry and reshaped my life, my family, and my calling.

CHAPTER ONE

When Your Yes Becomes His More!

“Greg, what would you think if I called you to serve another man’s ministry that had the same vision that I have put in your heart, and by doing so, you would reach more people for My Kingdom than if you did so on your own?”

A Life-Changing Encounter on the ORU Bridge

The place I will forever remember it as though we were standing there now as you read these words—the walking bridge connecting the student parking lot to the bustling campus of Oral Roberts University. The grand buildings and space-age architecture were a daily reminder to the thousands of us students of Dr. Oral Roberts’ charge to “Make no small plans here.”

The Time: April 1987
With a mere six weeks remaining before graduation, and with a dream in my heart far bigger than myself, I was ready to go from this incredible place of preparation to be used by God to fulfill the Great Commission and reach our world for Christ.

At the time, I had no idea I was about to have a life-changing encounter that would set the course for my spiritual future in ways I could never have imagined when I woke up almost late for class that beautiful spring morning in Tulsa.

I was serving as a youth pastor in a local church and as a worship leader in another. I was carrying a ten-foot cross and sharing the Gospel with whomever would listen across Tulsa, preaching on the streets outside bars, and leading evangelistic teams to Florida’s beaches during spring break to witness to the masses of college students. Now, coupled with my ORU experience, I was ready to spread my wings and take the next exciting step in God’s unfolding plan.

That morning, I drove my old car from the student apartments to campus, parked in the lot outside the Mabee Center, and began my trek to class.

I had done it hundreds of times. I would grab my books, slam the car door, and begin my brisk walk with a spring in my step to be sure I got to the first class of the day on time.

Connecting the parking lot and the campus is a simple white cement walking bridge spanning across a creek that divides the lot from the ORU campus. It was a well-traveled daily route. However, I was soon to find out that this day would be unlike any other.

As I set foot on the bridge, I encountered a tangible presence and heard a voice that I knew all too well. It stopped me in my tracks. Students scurried to class by the scores, walking past me as I stood still at the midpoint of this small bridge. Perhaps a minute passed, and now I was standing alone on the bridge, unexpectedly stopped by a wonderful presence and challenged by the unmistakable voice of the Holy Spirit.

The words are as fresh today as they were in 1987:
“Greg, what would you think if I called you to serve another man’s ministry that had the same vision that I have put in your heart, and by doing so, you would reach more people for My Kingdom than if you did so on your own?”

I stood motionless, pondering this heavenly proposition. A few straggling students passed by on the bridge, I’m sure wondering if this skinny six-foot-nine motionless statue of a fellow student had lost his marbles!

I knew that how I responded to this divine moment would surely set the course for God’s future plans for my life. I also marveled at what a gentleman our God is—to present a “What would you think?” question, and not some “Thus saith the Lord, you will do such and such” command!

So I stood there and pondered:

• Give up the idea of launching “my own” ministry?
• Serve someone else’s ministry that had the same heart as I do?
• Reach more people?
• Be more effective for the Kingdom of God?

The more I mulled it over, the more it became a clear no-brainer!
“Sure, Lord. If I can be more fruitful and reach more for You by helping someone else that is already doing what You have put in my heart to do, then count me in!”

Another Life-Changing Encounter

Two weeks later, the ORU chapel service guest minister was introduced to the students—worldwide evangelist, apostle, and prophet Dr. Morris Cerullo. It was another life-changing encounter.

As this servant of God spoke from the words of John 6:28, “What must we do that we might work the works of God?”, the Mabee Center chapel shook as the anointing of the Holy Spirit was poured out mightily upon the students.

Soon all were out of their seats, dropped to their knees, and crying out for God to use their lives…

So was I. As I slowly began to stand after this season of prayer and communion with God in this powerful chapel service, that same voice I encountered on the bridge spoke again:

“Greg, I am calling you to stand by Morris’ side and help him in the ministry.”

Immediately, my plans to enroll in the ORU seminary that fall flashed before my mind’s eye. I asked God, “What about my plans to attend seminary?” Now, many years later, God’s four-word reply has proven over and over again to be the understatement of my life:

“This will be greater!”

The Blessings of Saying Yes to Serving Another Man’s Ministry

On my knees in that ORU chapel service, I could not have imagined the blessings that God had in store serving as the vice-president of Ministries for Dr. Morris Cerullo:

• Happily married to a beautiful, godly wife, Jeri, that Morris and Theresa prayed into my life!
• Eight amazing children (seven sons and one beautiful daughter) that love the Lord. Each one received college scholarships. All the boys played college football—one played in the NFL for eight years—and today each one is making a great impact in their world.
• Thirteen adorable grandchildren and counting.
• A praying mother that loves and prays for me, our family, and the ministry of MCWE daily.
• A younger brother, Glenn, that has a heart of gold and another brother, Gary, who pastored one of the great churches in America.

God also opened the door for me to stand by Dr. Cerullo’s side as communism fell (as he had prophesied for 15 consecutive years prior from the platform of the Royal Albert Hall) and to conduct the first historic public crusade in Moscow before 50,000 in the Olympic Stadium in 1989.

In addition, I was privileged to be a part of spiritual history in the UK as we pioneered week-long Mission to London outreaches from world-famous Earl’s Court to capacity crowds of 16,000 per night for six successive years. Those meetings shook Britain and garnered unprecedented national and worldwide attention for the message of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was also honored to preach by a spontaneous miracle to 250,000 protestors on the University Square in Bucharest, Romania, following the fall of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, while I was there meeting with key leaders who had invited Dr. Cerullo to conduct a national School of Ministry and Crusade later that year. And so much more…

From One Yes to a Lifetime of Fruitfulness

Now on my fourth passport, having been privileged to see millions saved, healed, set free, receiving the impartation of the anointing, and being used by God on every continent—yes, there is unquestionably an incredible blessing waiting for those who will rise up to accept the calling to serve another man’s ministry.

God Is Calling Those Willing to Rise Above the Culture Of Me!

In order to fully step into this blessing of serving, we will have to rise above a culture and an era that celebrates the entrepreneur—the self-made man or woman that blazes his or her own trail. That same spirit has permeated the church, particularly the independent, Charismatic segments, where we are frequently bombarded with messages, encouragements, “words from the Lord,” and marketing tools to launch your own ministry—get ordained, start your website, launch your own worldwide ministry and go!

In sharp contrast, Jesus said, “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12).

I think about the mother of James and John who came to Jesus with a heartfelt request—she wanted her sons to have a place of honor in His kingdom. It’s easy to understand her desire; we all long to make our lives count. But Jesus responded by gently turning their idea of greatness upside down. He asked, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22). And then He said something that still speaks to us today: “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). He didn’t condemn their longing to be used by God—but He redefined what true greatness looks like. In His kingdom, it’s not about status or visibility, but about serving with His heart and following His example.

If we agree that there is a calling to serve another man’s ministry, then it is my prayer that many who are reading this will rise up from their church pew as a spectator each Sunday and find an exciting, blessed place of service alongside the ministry they are a part of.

1 Corinthians 12:28 highlights the importance of the ministry of helps in the God-ordained structure of the church, listing it right after apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, and gifts of healings:

“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that, miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

The Ministry of Helps

Kim Harrington of MasterBuilder Ministries said it so well in her article on “The Ministry of Helps”:

“People approach the church with pretty much the same consumer mentality they bring to the shopping mall—you better deliver the goods, be nice and user-friendly, or I’ll simply take my business elsewhere. The concept of servanthood and faithfulness, sacrifice and dependability seems to be a thing of the past, or at least something that doesn’t apply to church anymore.

The desperate need in all sorts of Christian ministries is for those who will dedicate themselves to the ministry of helps, a rather inglorious sounding title, but listed in order right after miracle and healing ministries in the above text. The Greek word translated ‘helps’ means ‘to lay hold of, so as to support.’ In other words, a minister of helps is someone who commits himself to another ministry in order to support and assist in any way he or she can.

I’m impressed by the ministry team of Billy Graham in this respect. One of the great reasons for his enormous success has to be the dedicated team that has worked with him since the early ’50s—Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea, and others, have been with him from the very beginning. They didn’t see their work with Billy as a stepping stone towards their own independent ministries, but rather as a lifetime calling.

And in the process of helping his ministry, they have achieved personal ministerial success that they never could have attained on their own. How many records has Bev Shea sold, how many millions of people has Barrows taught over the years, that never would have been possible outside of Billy Graham’s ministry? When you commit yourself to the ministry of helps you lay hold of personal success that you might never have achieved otherwise.”

Hidden Heroes Who Changed History by Serving

Is there a Barnabas, a Silas, a Timothy, an Aquila/Priscilla reading this that is ready to serve the next Apostle Paul? Or a band of mighty men ready to serve the next David? An Elisha to serve the next Elijah? Or the next Kenneth Copeland that will serve the book table of the next Oral Roberts?

God has ordained an amazing journey for you, and Secret #1 to experiencing this incredible blessing is to say: “Lord, I am willing to serve as a number 2 or a number 3 or a number 5…”

The Bible is filled with men and women who weren’t in the spotlight, weren’t “number ones,” and weren’t leading from the front—but their faith, obedience, and loyalty positioned them to impact the world in extraordinary ways. Just a few examples are:

• Elisha — the servant of Elijah who received a double portion and performed twice as many miracles.
• Barnabas — the encourager who believed in Saul when others feared him, and helped launch Paul’s ministry.
• Joshua — Moses’ assistant who led Israel into the Promised Land.
• Timothy — Paul’s spiritual son who pastored one of the early church’s most influential congregations.
• Silas — Paul’s ministry companion who helped shake a prison with praise.
• Aaron — the spokesman for Moses, faithfully standing beside his brother.
• Caleb — not the leader of the spies, but the one who stood with Joshua in faith.
• Jonathan — heir to Saul’s throne, yet laid it down for David, a man after God’s heart.
• Mordecai — the humble guardian behind Queen Esther’s rise and Israel’s deliverance.
• Andrew — Peter’s brother who quietly brought others to Jesus, including Peter himself.
• Philip — not one of the Twelve’s inner circle, yet led a revival in Samaria and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch.
• Naaman’s servant girl — unnamed and enslaved, yet she opened the door for his healing.
• Joseph (husband of Mary) — quietly protected and raised the Savior of the world.
• Stephen — not an apostle, but his martyrdom sparked the church’s global expansion.
• Apollos — an eloquent teacher who helped establish the church in Corinth after Paul left.

Of those the Bible says were successful in everything they did, most found that success not by building their own ministry—but by faithfully serving someone else’s, like Joseph, David, Joshua, Nehemiah and Abraham’s servant, to name a few…

Joseph — Served Pharaoh
“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did…” (Genesis 39:2 NLT). “The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” (Genesis 39:23 NLT)

David — Served Saul
“David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:15 NLT)

Joshua — Served Moses
“Be strong and very courageous and be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you…then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night…only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do!” (Joshua 1:7–8 NLT)

As we turn the page together, I want to thank you for taking this journey with me…and to encourage you—this is where it gets personal. The next few chapters unpack some of the most important lessons I’ve learned on this journey. And if there’s one thing I hope you’ll discover, it’s this: when you say yes to serving another person’s dream, though it will cost you something, your yes never goes unnoticed in heaven. Your yes becomes God’s more!

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Thank You for Reading My First Chapter!

I want to personally thank you for taking the time to read this first chapter of The Blessing of Serving Another Man’s Ministry. I’m so excited about how God will use this message, and I’m asking the Lord to use it to bless and inspire many lives around the world.

If this chapter spoke to you, I’d be honored if you would get the rest of the book. It’s available now on Amazon — and I truly believe it will encourage you to discover the joy, purpose, and blessing that comes through serving something bigger than yourself.

👉 Click here to get your copy on Amazon

And if you know someone who wants God to use their life in a greater way — someone who has a heart to serve — please share this chapter with them. Together, we can raise up a generation of men and women who say “yes” to God’s call and see their “yes” become His more.