I began my ministry at a meuidm-size alive Baptist church. In college I enjoyed the First Baptist Church of Knoxville, Tennessee. Charley Trentham was the pastor. He had gone to Carson-Newman College where I was preparing to serve the church. There was more than a thousand people in worship, preaching on television, all kinds of ministries. Dr. Trentham helped me serve as student pastor of prayer. I thought God would enable me to serve as pastor of a church like First Church in Knoxville.I prepared well. Reading all kinds of books, praying much, growing in faith. I earned a bunch of degrees. I waited patiently. I served many types and sizes of churches. Today I am helping a dead church celebrate a godly funeral, remembering the joys of their past and holding their hands as more people die or just leave.I have lived 80 per cent of my life, never earning much money as a pastor. I cannot imagine doing anything else. First Baptist Church in Knoxville is NBA churchball.My current church is pick-up neighborhood churchball with no stars on our team.I pray God will view my commitment as real. JUst think that one never knows where God will lead any person called by God to play churchball anywhere. I don’t see the meaning, purpose, or whys I have been led to keep serving even though I have been hurt by churches and those who are in charge of it.I’d like to live my last days just preaching around sharing my faith as minister of joy to the world. Or perhaps just be a fan in some established happy congregation like I remember First Baptist Church in Knoxville.