Michael Fortmeyer : My Leadership Pathway

I finally accepted the call to ministry as a senior in high school. I had wrestled with this for a few years, but after realizing the joy it was to lead others to a relationship with Christ, I leaned into that call and accepted it. It was then that He began to guide me into leadership opportunities through various churches and other ministries. From being a volunteer to a church intern, God began to hone my leadership skills and abilities.

After college, I struggled to land a job as a youth pastor. I was searching for something to help propel me into a job, and that is where Leadership Pathway stepped in. I currently serve as a Student Ministry Resident at Rocky Mountain Christian Church, just north of Denver.

When I first began at Rocky, it was difficult to find where I fit into the equation and what my new role was, but after a few months and really feeling like this new place was home for me, I began to understand where I fit and how I can best serve the community. I love this place and my job because of the impact I get to have on students and leaders in my ministry area. Some days I dislike being so far away from friends and family. There are days where I could really just go for a hug from my dog or grab a burger from my favorite restaurant, but those thoughts are to be expected with any move. Now, it’s on me to find the new burger restaurant and foster new relationships with the people here.

When I began in residency, it was super important to make relationships, to meet students and get close with them, and now I find that it is important that I turn the corner in those relationships and go deep with them. 

For those leaders looking to start or invite a resident onto their team, I’d say that having a residency is much harder than just employing young leaders; it's more than telling them what to do, it's more than watching them fail. It’s investing your time and energy into evaluating and supporting them all along the way.

And for those contemplating a future in ministry, I’d say the classroom can only teach you so much; you have to go out there and get into ministry. Figure out what you like and what you don’t like, learn what area you’re passionate about. What you do when no one is looking is more important than the programs you put on or the events you do, so are you willing to put the time in to make it for the long haul? Or, do you just want to have fun and be the cool person in ministry? I’m realizing that typically, one of those has the option to work in full-time ministry, while the other makes a great volunteer.

I’m Michael Fortmeyer, and this is my leadership pathway.