Still Available: One Pastor’s Ongoing ‘Yes’ to God

A cross in the night. A call he didn’t expect. A heart that keeps answering, “I’m Yours.” This is the story of one ordinary man, a faithful Savior, and a lifetime of quiet surrender.

The Life Behind the Ongoing ‘Yes’

I recently spent some time with Jerry Masters, a new-found friend and faithful minister of the gospel. Jerry has served six churches as a full-time pastor and stepped into seven interim roles over the decades. But his story isn’t about racking up qualifications. It’s about how God takes an ordinary life and uses it for kingdom work—one surrendered “yes, Lord” at a time.

Where the ‘Yes’ Has Led

Let’s rewind the tape: how did your journey into ministry start? Was it a clear call from the start, or more of a holy surprise?

I became a Christ follower at the age of 23. I had just returned from Vietnam and was disillusioned and depressed. In that somewhat dark time of life, I prayed “ Lord, only you can give purpose and meaning to life.. Take me and make me useful to you and your Kingdom”. That was the beginning of my transformation as New Creation in Christ.

I joined a church in Lafayette, Louisiana and began to grow in my faith. My plan to be a career officer was no longer possible so I became a teacher. After four meaningful years as an educator and active church life, I began to feel a “stirring.” To supplement our income, a medivac unit came to a nearby city. Acceptance was immediate and soon I began to fly again.

Attending seminary was a recurring thought and preoccupation. On a night flight to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, as we climbed, some bright lights on a tall steeple caught my eye. I knew immediately it was New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. God’s Spirit spoke to my heart. My destiny was set. That was 52 years ago…six full-time churches and 7 interim opportunities later…you’re right …I’m not done yet.

You’ve seen a lot in your time. What’s one moment from ministry that still makes you laugh or shake your head?

Church humor is “legion.” The pastor was about to baptize a small boy. He said the preliminary words and was about to immerse the child. If you’ve ever seen a squirrel scurry up a tree…well, that’s what happened. He quickly climbed the pastor and locked his arms around pastor’s neck. The pastor said, “We’re going to do this another day!” The congregation howled.

Another pastor was baptizing an adult male when the candidate for baptism said out loud, “I forgot my wallet in my pants.” The preacher said, “that’s okay , I want to baptize your wallet too!”

I’ll stop, although I’m just getting started!

If you could give “young pastor you” one piece of advice before stepping into the pulpit for the first time, what would it be?

Absolute humility is essential. Never enter the pulpit with pride in your heart. An old story is told about a young preacher who strutted to the pulpit, expecting to wow the congregation. He humbly walked out of the pulpit after the sermon bombed. “What happened?” He asked the senior pastor. The wise, seasoned preacher counseled, “Son, if you would have gone up to the pulpit the way you came down, you would have been able to come down the way you went up.”

After all these years, what’s one thing you’ve come to believe deeply about God that you didn’t fully grasp when you started out?

God does not have favorites. But He does have intimates. My greatest longing is for His Presence and to walk intimately with Him the rest of my days.

You’re retired, but clearly not done. What keeps your heart in the game? What still fires you up about serving the Lord and His people?

It has been said that “God does not need our ability…He desires our availability.” We have been bought with a price (a very High Price). He owns us. From New Birth to Heaven. I’m available!

Let’s end with some fun: if your ministry journey had a soundtrack, what would be on it? Any hymns, anthems, or guilty pleasures?

Stevie Wonder is an amazing talent. So this is it….“Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours! (Lord)!

My favorite hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

Still Available

In a world that celebrates polished resumés and high-achieving success stories, Jerry’s testimony offers something quieter and truer: a faithful life shaped by humble availability to Christ. He’s not perfect. He’s not done. But his story reminds us that the call of God doesn’t expire—and that the cross still invites all of us to offer our soul, our life, our all.

Wherever you are on the journey, may you, too, be able to say,

“Signed, sealed, delivered—I’m Yours.”

Postscript: A Hymn That Lingers

I had never really sat with “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” until Jerry mentioned it. Maybe you’re in the same boat. So I did what I do: I went digging¹.

The story goes that a young Isaac Watts once complained about the stale music at church. His father, also a pastor, challenged him to do better—and Watts did. He went on to write over 600 hymns, but this one (first published in 1707) is widely regarded as his greatest.

It’s inspired by Galatians 6:14: “But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.”

Here are the lyrics that captured Jerry’s heart—and, I suspect, still anchor his walk:

1.
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

And here is the song, so you can sing along if you like:

Thanks, Jerry.

Reference:

1. Watts, Isaac. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Hymnary.org. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://hymnary.org/text/when_i_survey_the_wondrous_cross_watts. ↩︎