Meet Yen-Sha Lim

Side by Side

How many of you out there have served alongside your husband in pastoral ministry, then been asked to make the transition to some other type of ministry? It’s not always easy, is it? In the church, our duties are often outlined for us and we have an automatic venue for our giftings. Suddenly we have to find other outlets for personal ministerial expressions. If you are one of those who have found the transition a little troubling, we’d like to hear from you.

Our interview in this issue comes from someone who has made the transition from pastor’s wife to the wife of a seminary educator, but still retains her own place of ministry.

A graduate of Central Bible College and an ordained Assemblies of God minister, Yen-Sha has served as both assistant pastor and interim pastor. She has spoken at conferences both in the United States and overseas, and has held various positions in banking. She also serves as a member of the Assemblies of God Women in Ministry Web team. Yen-Sha’s husband, Steve, is professor of leadership and ministry at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Sandra.

Her current place of ministry is working for Network211, a ministry that provides content for church Web sites and resources for ministry leaders and lay leaders.

Here is how Yen-Sha answered our interview questions:

How did God lead you into ministry?

I came to know the Lord through the ministry of AG missionaries in Bangladesh. I felt God’s call on my life as a youth. Through God’s marvelous provision, I was able to go to Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, for preparation. Through many obstacles and hindrances, I never lost sight of God’s call for ministry. He opened many closed doors to opportunities for different ministries.

What area of ministry stirs your deepest passion?

To connect with people, whether Christians or non-Christians—to have a ripple effect on their lives for God’s kingdom.

What do you find most rewarding about the ministry?

I find it very rewarding to help and encourage people, and challenge them to be all God intends for their lives. As I see their potential for leadership, I help them take steps of faith to develop that potential.

What areas do you find most difficult?

The challenge of dealing with critical and judgmental Christians.

How do you balance ministry, family, and outside responsibilities?

I decide and focus on priorities, and let secondary things go. It’s also important to intentionally set aside time for fun.

What is your favorite way to relax?

I do anything that helps me not think about the realities and routines of everyday life. I like to read, shop, play Scrabble, do oil painting and rubber stamping.

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

I wish I had known that ministry could be fun though challenging, and how to relate to people according to their personalities.

What changes have you seen since you first started ministry?

Worship services have fewer hymns and more contemporary music. Prayer and preaching are more conversational. Church attire is more casual. Nowadays more pastors’ wives have their own calling/career, though sometimes it is out of economic necessity.

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

Be your own person and do the ministry God has called you to do. Don’t conform to others’ expectations. And don’t neglect self-care and personal development.