Side by Side

One of the most delightful things about our great Assemblies of God fellowship is the cultural diversity. On any given Sunday, almost every district has churches meeting that do all or a portion of their service in a language other than English, in addition to our many multi-cultural congregations. The pastors’ wives from these churches can tell you that serving both a church and a culture has its unique challenges. At the same time, many of the situations are the same.

Our interview this month is with the district superintendent’s wife from the Northern Pacific Latin America district. Let’s see how her answers to our interview questions “translate.”

Meet Marti Baca

Marti Baca Marti is a certified minister with the Northern Pacific Latin America district (NPLAD) and also works as a licensed real estate agent. Her current place of ministry is alongside husband, Lee, who was recently elected superintendent of NPLAD. The Bacas have been married and in ministry for 36 years. During this time the Lord has opened doors for Marti to minister bilingually in song and speaking for churches, retreats, and Women’s Ministries conventions.

Here’s what we asked Marti:

How Did God lead you into ministry?

I met my husband at Bible school and we began ministering together, serving a variety of churches from 1970 through 1998. As a pastor’wife, I ministered within the church as a choir director, organist and pianist. During this time the Lord also opened doors for me to minister bilingually in word and song in our fellowship, as well as in different Full Gospel organizations in the United States.

What area of ministry stirs your deepest passion?

Since coming to the district office in 1998, the Lord has put a passion in my heart for pastors’ wives who are now widows. Their income is so limited that my husband and I send love gifts to them as the Holy Spirit impresses them on our hearts. I am working on making it a project of support in our district.

What do you find most rewarding about the ministry?

It is always a joy to see people saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and restored, but especially when they come in response to a song we sang, an encouraging word we gave, a message we spoke, or a class we taught.

What areas do you find most difficult?

I am still adjusting to the challenge of being a district officer’s wife and dealing with the “fish bowl syndrome.” The fact that I have to be careful of what I say or how I react because of who I am is especially hard.

How do you balance ministry, family and outside responsibilities?

It’s a little challenging, especially since I also work outside the home. I would have to say it’s with much prayer—often getting up early to pray—and using my calendar to organize my time, that I am able to keep my priorities in order. Weekends are reserved for grandchildren!

What is your favorite way to relax?

I like reading the newspaper or current events magazines such as Time or Newsweek, and doing crossword puzzles and solving cryptoquotes. While on vacation, I love just lying on the beach with my eyes closed, hearing the waves come and go. That’s the ultimate relaxer!

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you began?

Let God be God. Have fun, be more relational and enjoy the ministry God has given me.

What changes have you seen since you first started in the ministry?

This is a little hard to explain. There’s a different mentality or philosophy within our second and third generation members and ministers alike, if you will. In the “olden” times we went to church just to “have church.” We didn’t care whether or not there was a nursery or children’s church. When children got tired, we’d lay them under the pews—that was good enough. It didn’t seem to matter if there were college and career classes. We were satisfied with “just church.” This generation is more “seeker sensitive,” seeking a church ministry that offers more. They want pastors with degrees, they want marriage and family counseling from a Christian professional, credentialed teachers to teach their children, etc. Also, there seems to be a stronger need for a relational pastor. Members want to talk to their pastor one-on-one, not have him send someone else in his place.

What one thing would you like to share with every young minister’s wife?

Seek the Lord with all your heart. Strive to grow and develop your gifts and talents. When all is said and done, be yourself.

Share a favorite Scripture or life verse.

Ephesians 3:7,8: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me…” (NIV, emphasis added).