T-YOU THE FAITH LEADER His Call Was to a Purpose

The Rev. D.J. BredenTitle, church, city: Senior pastor, Christian Life Community Church, Jacksonville.Age: 29.Education: Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Tell us about your family.

I have been married to Alicia for nine wonderful years and we have two precious children, a boy named Jamie, who is 3, and a girl named Sydney, who is 2.

How did you find your calling?

I would not call it a burning bush or even a Damascus road experience. I was not blinded by light. It was the underlying feeling that I had a purpose beyond what I thought. I wrestled and contemplated what I felt. I sought counsel from mentors, prayed and ultimately came to a resounding conclusion, that pastoral ministry was my purpose. In the years since accepting and pursuing the call, it has been reaffirmed through seeing individuals respond to the message that God has allowed me to share, and seeing lives changed with that same message of hope.

What other churches or ministries have you served?

I served at First Assembly Eagle Lake as youth pastor and children’s pastor for three years. After returning to Jacksonville, I served as youth pastor/associate pastor and then as pastor of Glad Tidings Assembly of God for five years. I serve in leadership positions of the Peninsular Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God, as well as the pastor of Christian Life Community Church.

What is unique about your church or ministry?

We believe that the work of the church is not done only on Sunday mornings inside the church walls, but is done every day in our community.

Did you ever consider or pursue another line of work?

I pursued becoming an infant cardiologist before accepting my call to the ministry. I look at it this way: I would have been helping to heal hearts either way, but now they are being healed emotionally and for eternity.

What is most rewarding about your ministry?

The most rewarding part of ministry is seeing people’s lives changed.

What is most frustrating about your ministry?

Changing the world’s view of church, and what it really means to be a Christ follower.

What book are you reading or recommending lately?

I am currently studying Running with the Giants, by John Maxwell. It’s a short book with tremendous implications for being a leader, learning to dream and accomplishing the dream.

Have you ever doubted your faith?

Once. It was a very dark time in my life. My wife and I lost our first child to a premature birth. I have to be honest: I questioned where God was, and how this could happen to me.

How were those doubts resolved?

Prayer was probably the biggest thing and having a real encounter with God and friends who were true men and women of God who spoke encouragement into me. Now I have two wonderful and precious gifts from God.

What is your favorite saying, motto or verse of Scripture?

“Live life every day like it’s your last.” And Jeremiah 29:11: ” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ “The Faith Leader is a weekly feature profiling men and women, lay and ordained, who are leaders in First Coast religious communities. To recommend someone or yourself, e-mail Times-Union religion writer Jeff Brumley at jeff.brumley@jacksonville.com. Please include the daytime phone number and e-mail address of the person you are recommending.

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