We had several volunteers celebrate their 10th anniversary of serving with us in 2015. We thought it would be fun to share some of their GQ stories in their own words …
Scott Owen: I first met Shea in a restaurant in central Iowa several years ago after his ministry was recommended to me by an author in my church. I was intrigued with the opportunity to use my interest in writing with my desire to help people. The format fit well with my short attention span and fluctuating schedule. I have been using the Bible to answer questions about life issues since the early 1990’s as a Certified Biblical Counselor. This ministry has allowed me to provide some form of counsel to people that I would not otherwise be able to reach. Over the past 5 years God has exposed me to many helpful peacemaking tools that have been useful in answering questions regarding personal and church conflicts. I am encouraged that God is using me to fulfill a niche in a vast ministry that reaches millions of people through the internet. The fascinating statistics regarding visitors and salvation decisions are great motivators to make the time commitment to minister to these precious people seeking confidential help.
Michael Blunk: Serving as a volunteer staff writer has been a joy; the inquiries, which originate from around the globe, give me cause to ponder upon the scriptures from a host of varying viewpoints. I particularly appreciate questions asked by those living in other countries.
As a reformed Pharisee, I enjoy questions from those grappling with forms of legalism. This may explain my particular fondness for the Apostle Paul. Also, I am eager to address inquiries from those who ask about alcoholism, substance abuse, and addiction. I am a full time chaplain in a homeless shelter; my ministry is primarily devoted to those who are bound by addiction. I also teach critical thinking skills to recovery addicts and alcoholics at a large men’s prison. These questions are, if you will pardon the colloquialism, right up my alley.
My most memorable inquiry came from a high school student. He noted that the most popular kids in school were those who drank alcohol and smoked marijuana. As a Christian, he did not participate in drinking and partying, but it was rather befuddling that the popular kids—the kids most admired—drank alcohol and smoked weed. And from his vantage point, they were having a jolly good time of it, too.
In response, I asked him to imagine that he and I were standing at opposite ends of a long tunnel. At his end, the popular kids—those kids who were partying with alcohol and marijuana, were entering the tunnel laughing and joking and having fun. But from my end of the tunnel, these exiting partyers were haggard, broke, and shopworn from the ravages of addiction. They were no longer handsome or pretty. They had lost their vim. Their health was shot. They were beaten down drunks and addicts who had lost everything. And they were no longer popular. If fact, others looked disdainfully upon them.
My ministry has allowed me to see what really happens to those who play fast and loose with alcohol and drugs.
There is one other matter I wish to share. I teach critical thinking skills. In fact, I produce critical thinking resources that have been used on college campuses. I mention this because I want believers to know that logic, reason, and intellectual integrity are not the enemies of Christianity. On the contrary, God never asks us to check our brains in at the gate. In matters of faith, ignorance is hardly bliss. Unlike the masses, we are on the side of truth. As one who formerly harbored a measure of skepticism, I can now declare that Christianity is wholly logical. Our faith makes sense. Our Bible is true. We are not the dummies.
This is my story. I am thankful for my affiliation with this ministry.
Danielle Swiontek: I first got involved with Got Questions Ministries after hearing Shea speak at the church I attended at that time. I was one year out of college, living in a new city and growing closer to the Lord than I had ever been before. I felt led and convicted to join the ministry, since it seemed like a wonderful way to help spread the gospel and the truth of God’s Word so easily, from the comfort of my own home and using some of the free time I was probably just wasting each evening. Even when money was tight and I couldn’t afford an internet connection at my house, I could easily stop in at a local coffee shop and answer my latest question. It has been a blessing to be able to speak into children and adults’ lives, a source of encouragement and growth in my own spiritual walk. I have taken a few months off each time I gave birth to both of my children, and I appreciate the fact that I can do that with this ministry. Got Questions makes it so easy to serve and that keeps me enjoying the work! I don’t have a single question that stands out over the years, but I always enjoy the ones from young children who ask such sincere and innocent questions, as well as those from teens and young adults who bring to mind similar circumstances I have faced in my own life. It is so rewarding to see instances where the Lord uses your own past to help encourage someone else!
Daniel Grimes: As I look back over the last 10 year journey with GQ as a writer and Bible answer person I can honestly say it has and continues to be a honor and privilege. It has not only been a humbling and challenging experience but personally an edifying one as well. Before I started online ministry work with GQ I had previously submitted questions and was always delighted and felt blessed with the clear, thoughtful and edifying answers I received. From this experience I knew GQ is where I wanted to serve the Lord and be a part of a team dedicated to helping others in their knowledge and understanding of Scripture. At first it was a bit intimidating for fear of giving an answer which was not biblically sound but after much prayer and a few tries the Lord and Shea were able to calm me down, smooth out a few rough edges and build my confidence. It is interesting now that the longer I serve the more I continue to enjoy researching and responding to an inquirer’s question hoping that they too, like I was, will be comforted and edified by the answer received. I pray that all who are currently serving through GQ will continue to be encouraged to persevere throughout the years ahead knowing that in honor and glory of the Lord a favorable difference is being made in the spiritual lives of many throughout the world.
Gordon Walker: Being a relative “newbie” in Christ I came across GotQuestions on the internet, clicked, and immediately fell in love with the site. I am a late bloomer, discovering the Lord in the last part of 2000, and I in my mid 60s. My initial motive for wanting to be part of this ministry was to learn…by searching for answers to the varied questions. The blessing is yet being fulfilled-along with the development of a wonderful friendship with a young’un whom I love to refer to as “Lady G”.
I do remember Shea asking me to answer a question in order to become a writer…after replying he said I answered correctly, but would I please re-write and try to sound friendly.
All considered, this has been a rewarding venture, a method of my study and growth, one that I hope to continue until – ???
John Vanderkelen: My initial exposure to Got Questions Ministry came as a result of discretionary time searching/viewing Christian ministries. When I entered Got Questions’ website my impulse was to submit a question. Further investigation revealed the opportunity to possibly become a volunteer, serving with the ministry. The thought came to me that I had the capability to answer my own query, and that I could be of benefit to others by working with Got Questions.
It has given me great pleasure to present God’s truth to those who themselves initiate the process. The analogy of the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea in relation to living the Christian life come to mind. To maintain a healthy existence one must not only take in Scriptural knowledge, but release it in a sensible manner. Got Questions is one means whereby I can figuratively maintain a healthy Sea of Galilee status versus that of the Dead Sea. My wife Dori, to whom I have been married twenty six years is the type of helpmate who facilitates my involvement as well.
Granted, some questioners seem intent to waste our time and effort, or to discredit God and His Word. I will have none of that. Having solidified doctrinal stability over a period of three plus decades, my hope is sure and my answers reflect that. Instead of “good men can disagree”, I prefer that no one is good but God alone. Among sinners saved by grace disagreement is usually the result of misunderstanding or disregarding God’s inerrant, infallible Word.
There have been a handful of questions over the years that have significantly impacted me with their logic, insight, and the benefit to me in searching out the answer.
In conclusion I would submit it has never been easier to obtain information about Bible content. The downside is without doctrinal clarity the ability to discern that which is correct from that which is misleading may all too easily be harmfully blurred.
Robert Coleridge: I was not born into a Christian family and so never “grew up” hearing Bible stories/etc. When I was 14 I heard the Gospel for the first time and was stunned at what it meant. I accept Christ as my Savior BUT was not told anything about discipleship/etc. It was until I was 28 that I discovered the joy of obedience. During those 14 yrs I had lots of questions but no one to ask them of. For that ignorance I paid a heavy price. To learn more I went to Bible college and seminary to be an informed “tent-maker” in the world. When I discovered the GotQuestions ministry I realized that many people like myself had lots of questions and no one to answer them. I was thrilled to be accepted as a writer to be used by our Lord to answer people’s questions. The questions have ranged from the simple “How can I be saved” type to the more deep ones like “What is the meaning of sanctification?”. I have been thrilled to dig into God’s Word for people around the world and have been deeply humbled by some return responses from people. God is truly using this ministry for His glory and I am humbled to be part of it.
