Becoming a Baptist Minister
Helping you explore and discern a call to Baptist Ministry
Helping you explore and discern a call to Baptist Ministry
Baptist ministers come from many different backgrounds and bring a wide range of gifts. The idea of a “typical” Baptist minister is disappearing—if it ever existed! God is calling and using women and men, younger and older people, and those from a rich variety of ethnic and social backgrounds to serve in Baptist leadership.
While some are called to ministry in a local church, others are drawn to pioneer new communities, work with children and young people, serve as chaplains in schools, hospitals or workplaces, or engage in mission and evangelism in creative ways. However and wherever God calls, each person brings their unique story, experiences and gifts to the life of His church.
At the Yorkshire Baptist Association, we believe God continues to call and use diverse people with diverse gifts to lead His church and serve His world.
Our Vision
The Yorkshire Baptist Association is committed to the vision of growing disciples by multiplying healthy churches across Yorkshire. We believe God is calling His Church to be rooted in local communities while remaining open to new and imaginative ways of sharing the good news of Jesus.
This vision is being lived out through planting new churches, revitalising existing congregations, and reimagining church for new contexts and communities. Together, these approaches reflect our desire to see God’s Kingdom grow in every part of Yorkshire — in cities, towns, villages and new communities.
It is an exciting time to be part of the Association. We are intentionally investing in growth and in rising leaders from diverse backgrounds, trusting that God continues to call women and men of all ages, ethnicities and life experiences into Baptist ministry. If you are sensing a call to lead, serve or pioneer, we would love to support you as you explore how your gifts might contribute to this shared vision.
Discerning God’s Call
Responding to God’s call can feel both exciting and daunting. The path ahead may not always be clear, and that’s okay — you don’t have to walk it alone.
We are here to support you and your church as you explore what God might be saying. Whether you’re sensing an early stirring or are ready to take practical next steps, we’d love to journey with you.
Rev Leoné Martin, one of our Regional Ministers, has particular responsibility for helping those who are discerning a call to Baptist ministry.
Leoné is always happy to have an informal conversation about where you are in your journey and how we can help.
“If you sense that God might be calling you into Baptist ministry, I’d love to have a conversation with you.”
— Rev Leoné Martin, Regional Minister
Pathways into Ministry
There are several ways in which you might serve as a Baptist minister or leader, including:
Local Church Ministry – serving a local congregation of an existing church.
Chaplaincy and Sector Ministry – serving in settings such as healthcare, education, prisons, workplaces, or the military.
Pioneering and Church Planting – starting new churches or Christian communities in new contexts.
The YBA works on behalf of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) in the process of discerning, interviewing, and commending applicants for accredited Baptist ministry. We also offer Regional Recognition for those whose calling may not fit national accreditation routes.
Throughout this process, our Ministry Group seeks to listen carefully, pray together, and discern God’s calling with fairness and care for each individual.
Let’s Talk
If you’re wondering whether God might be calling you to Baptist ministry — in any form — we would love to talk with you.
Please get in touch with Rev Leoné Martin using this form