{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The SOBC Pod","title":"From Education to Ministry: Ross’s Story of Calling and Faithfulness","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4314,"description":"How does someone go from pursuing a career in elementary education to full-time ministry? In this episode, Craig sits down with Ross, Stone Oak Bible Church’s Children’s and Youth Director, to hear the story of how God shaped his life and calling.Ross shares about growing up in the San Antonio area, his time at Texas A&M, and the unexpected ways God used relationships, church involvement, and mission trips to redirect his path. What began as a desire to simply “help people” eventually turned into a clear calling to ministry through small group leadership, discipleship, and global missions.Along the way, Ross reflects on the importance of the local church in his own life and how simple invitations, faithful presence, and intentional discipleship played a major role in his growth. He also shares his heart for children and students today, and why helping them connect to Christ and the local church right now is so important.If you’ve ever wondered how God leads people into ministry, or how your own story might be used for something bigger, this conversation is both encouraging and practical.Topics covered:Ross’s background growing up in the San Antonio area and his path through Texas A&MWhy he initially pursued elementary education and what changedThe role of mentoring, teaching, and influential leaders in shaping his directionHow an invitation to church and small group leadership impacted his faithLessons learned about finding a church and staying grounded in core doctrineHow mission trips helped clarify his calling to ministryHis experience in a church residency and seminary trainingHow God led him to Stone Oak Bible ChurchThe importance of the local church in spiritual growth and discipleshipHis vision for children’s and youth ministry at Stone Oak Bible ChurchWhy kids and students are not the church of tomorrow, but the church todayClosing lineStone Oak Bible Church is located in San Antonio, Texas. Learn more at stoneoakbible.com","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/fhGCHON049VUgpCtiW6Aa13qfhaucjTo-WCM7muRccA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80NDZk/YjU1N2UxMjU1MDVj/ODc2NGE1MWQ2OTY2/MWVmOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}