How a Christian Became a Pastor

How Faith can Impact the Search for Identity

Identity,most commonly used to describe who someone is and what their purpose is in life. All the titles one could have: son, brother, father, husband, man, athlete, preacher, and even teacher. All the ways someone can define self. All the ways someone would introduce himself. We try to amass so many titles in search of being worthy, but when we are everything, we might actually be nothing at all.

Finding your own identity is a road many people find themselves on, a road I have found myself on. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Christian Cullison, pastor, in Albion, Illinois, about his story- one of finding purpose and personal identity. 

Cullison is a graduate of Edwards County High School. He is a husband, a father, a pastor at First Baptist Church in Albion, and my friend and mentor. He is also a very important figure in the Albion Community.

Christian doesn’t know a stranger; everywhere he goes he finds someone to talk to. He makes them feel as if he has known them his whole life.  Christian is someone people in Albion have gravitated towards as a leader in our community. No matter the age, people seek his advice because of his knowledge and charisma. He lives his life helping lead the next generation.

He now shares is passion for Christ, but not long ago Christian struggled with his purpose. Like almost anyone leaving high school Christian didn’t have a clue what he wanted to do or what he was going to be.

“Selfishly, I wanted to do something-number one makes a lot of money, number two gives me a title, and number three makes other people look at me and say, ""Oh, man, that guy is successful.”"

Christian's first idea was to go into the medical field. So Christian went to USI to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree. He still had no clue what he wanted to do. So, his best option was to apply for PT school. “PT didn’t interest me at all,” but it did check all three boxes. It was going to pay well, give him a title, and make people look at him and say he was successful, but at this point in time Christian was preaching at a small church in a small village, Ellery, in Edwards County. At the time, preaching was not what he wanted to do full time, so he applied to PT school at USI. But, he was about to find his identity.

“That is not what I felt God was wanting me to do.” Christian decided to take matters into his own hands. His letter came back from PT school; he had been put on the waitlist to enter into the program. He felt defeated. He even felt maybe this wasn’t what God had planned for him. So, he tried teaching and thought that since he had a science degree he would be happy teaching science.

He took the classes he needed to and started subbing at Edwards County High School-- where he and I actually formed our bond as friends and brothers. A full-time job opened up, but right as he was supposed to take it, the PT program called. Someone had dropped out, and he was in the program. However, he had to except that day.  

“Long story short, I ended up turning them both down.”

He was at rock bottom; all the time and money he had spent on both of those pursuits was wasted. So, he started helping cut trees for his Dad's tree service. He would often call in sick, so he wouldn't have to go to work in the morning. He was at a very low point with no idea where to turn, but his wife assured him that everything was going to be okay. God has a plan.

Shortly after the First Missionary Baptist Church, the church he had grown up in, had an opening. He started preaching there at night, but the whole time he was telling his wife it was just something at night and not what he was going do the rest of his life. They then offered him the full- time position. He didn’t think this was what his wife wanted him to do. “So, it was perfect, I could just blame it on her.” The final night Christian was scheduled to preach there, his wife felt a strong conviction.

“I think this is where we need to be.”

It has now been two years, and Christian has loved it all. He has been able to help guide so many people in their journey with Christ and played a huge part in Albion as a community by spreading the word of god and love. Christian has found his identity. When asked what would be the first thing you would tell a younger Christian, he said the following. “It gets better” which is something we as people can’t seem wrap our heads around. When Christian was at his lowest, he hung his hat on the Lord and trusted Him. He knew there was a greater plan.

Your identity is not something you can decide. It is something you have to find by self-reflection and trust in a bigger plan. When you don’t like your identity or lose the one you had, there is always something more. You can always be something more or something different. You aren't lost. You are temporarily in between who you have been and who you are becoming.