Cam's Fuller Journey

Hello there! My name is Cameron Armstrong and I am in a life transition from 7 years as a sales professional to full-time minister. How did this happen you ask? Well...with great joy and anticipation, allow me to explain!
     About 3-4 years ago, I began wrestling with The Lord on the idea of going into ministry full-time as a teaching pastor. For a while, this thought was a distant one, and the fact that God even put this on my heart made me think He was nuts! Don't get me wrong, I loved Jesus and I loved serving His purposes in this world, but the idea of teaching and discipling others as a full time pastor instead of continuing the corporate ladder climb seemed too scary and too far out of my abilities. I was perfectly happy with my cubicle ministries at work, getting to fully engage in my co-workers' stories, praying for them often, and of course dropping J-bombs on them when the opportunities presented themselves (that's the name of Jesus, for those still wondering!). But if I'm completely honest, giving up a comfortable salary that provided a comfortable life seemed like too much in its own right. To make matters worse, I was worried about quitting my job, risking everything I had built in sales, what people would think, failing at this transition, and most of all, I did not think God could use someone like me in that capacity. Fast forward through those 3-4 years of much prayer and discernment, stepping into the ring to wrestle with The Lord, and I've tapped out many times realizing that none of those things matter because they are simply not of Him and His character. He's shown me that His character is about His abundant and steadfast love for us, which I have felt very closely in my life, and the only thing of matter beyond that is that I am called. That calling is continually represented through how I follow Jesus in everything I do, starting with taking a deep dive into fulfilling The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). As His children, we are called to bring him glory and honor, living in the fullness of His goodness while leading others to see the freedom in victory over sin through His son Jesus Christ! Being faithful to dedicate my life to study and continually know Him and make Him known out of obedience brings Him great joy and serves as an incredible worship experience for myself and others. How sweet it will be to baptize brothers and sisters of all nations in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, after they have given up their very life to find it! Do you see the power in that?! It is so clear to me now, and with great Godfidence and peacefulness in my heart, I can say I am committed to practicing this for the rest of my life! My destiny lies within pastoral ministries, and this journey begins with studying to be equipped to fulfill this role well. Part of this responsibility includes having a deepened sense of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the character of Jesus, in order to teach and lead the church well for the sake of the Kingdom. This is where I call on my family, friends, loved ones, and overall community, for in the midst of this transition, I need your help.
     In May of 2016, I was accepted into the Masters of Divinity program at Fuller Theological Seminary, starting in the Fall of 2016. While it is a great opportunity to be equipped to share the gospel well, it is also a costly one from a time and financial standpoint. Being that I am going from working full time and making some money, to studying full time and making very little money as a part-time working student, I am launching this funding page to help pay for my tuition throughout this journey. To give you a good idea of why I set the fundraising goal at $48,000, here's a breakdown of the costs associated:
-each semester's tuition is $4,800
-4 semesters/year (quarter system) is $19,200/year
-2 1/2 year program (full-time) is $48,000 total!

While it seems overwhelming at first glance, please know this is something I have prayed about for a long time and the finances are definitely a part of what I have wrestled with the Lord on. I am confident that the Lord is directing my steps and will grant me the desires of my heart as I pursue His calling for my life (Psalm 84:11). With that said, He has given me peace about this whole process and this decision. If there's one thing God has taught me in raising funding for mission trips and ministry opportunities, it is that His capacity to give is far greater than my capacity to receive. I pray that this would be true once again, as you who are reading this, graciously discern your calling to support me in this journey, and what that looks like. I pray that The Lord would bless you abundantly in your life, and give you a heart over-flowing with generosity to support me and many other great ministry opportunities in the world. I want others, especially my family, friends and community, to have an opportunity to be a part of this journey, not only financially, but spiritually as well. Here are a few things specifically to pray for. Pray that God would:
-Give me a strong ongoing desire to work hard and approach each day as if it really is an incredible opportunity to seek Him, know Him more fully, and experience tremendous spiritual growth that will be used to expand His Kingdom on earth
-Reveal an emphasis of study to me, if He so desire for me to have one. e.g. Church Planting, Youth, Family and Culture, Global Arts and Word Religions
-Provide opportunities to practice my vocation of teaching, through other students, campus programs, local churches/ministries, etc.
-Help me find a new church home, where I can be engaged in community and find opportunity to serve others
 
Lastly, for those of you who want to be a part of this journey in any capacity, I will be sending out a monthly email newsletter with an occasional video, sharing what God has been teaching me in the classroom and out in my newly found west coast community. If you decide to give, please include your email so you will receive the updates. If you are unsure about giving at this time but are interested in being a part of this journey, please text me your email address or email me directly @ [email redacted].

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this, and I look forward to embarking on this journey with you. I pray that God would bless you, your family, and your loved ones in incredible ways!

For His Mission,

-Cam