A Journey of Surrender, Calling, and Growth in Ministry

A note to my daughter Noelle:

Before I share what it means to be fully devoted to God, I want to take a moment to thank my daughter, Noelle, for inviting me to write for her blog. Noelle, it's an incredible honor- not just to contribute to your platform, but to witness the woman you've become. Being your dad for the past 24 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I've watched you grow through seasons of joy, pain, breakthrough, and growth. I've seen you rise above obstacles that would have stopped others in their tracks. You've faced adversity with courage, and uncertianty with faith. You've never stopped moving forward - always leaning into God's grace, choosing resilience over retreat.

You inspire me.

Your strength, creativity, compassion, and unwavering heart for the Lord are a reflection of His hand on your life. I am so proud of you - not just for what you've accomplished, but for who you are. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey, and for allowing me to share part of mine here.

With all my love,

Dad

Being fully devoted to God is not a moment- it's a lifelong journey. After 27 years in pastoral ministry, I can say with full conviction that full devotion to God is about surrendering daily, obeying faithfully, and growing continually. It's not about perfection, but direction - a heart set on pursuing God with every fibre of one's being. My journey didn't start in a Christian home. Though I was blessed with loving parents, we didn't know Christ personally until I was 12 years old. That moment changed everything. The atmosphere in our home shifted, and so did the direction in my life. At 16, I felt the unmistakable tug of the Holy Spirit calling me into ministry. But I wasn't ready. I ran- not just from ministry, but from surrender. Like Jonah, I found myself resisting what didn't fully understand and wasn't quite ready to embrace. But God, in His mercy, was patient. At 22, I finally stopped running. Then in 1994, I enroled in Eastern Pentecostal Bible College, in Peterborough Ontario. Four years later in 1998, I entered full time ministry in Ontario.

Since 1999, I've had the privlage alongside my wife of serving with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ministry has taken me through seasons of joy, challenge, growth, and deep dependance on God. Through it all, my heart has remained hungry - not just for knowledge, but for a deeper relationship with Jesus. I've never stopped learning. I've always felt a call to be better equipped, to study more, to read more, and to grow in wisdom and understanding. In 2017, I returned to seminary to pursue a Master's in Pastoral Leadership, followed by a Doctorate in the same field.

Looking back, here's what i've learned about being fully devoted:

#1: Devotion Begins with Surrender

True devotion is birthed in the place of surrender. For me, that moment came when I stopped running and embraced the call. Surrender isn't a one time act - it's daily laying down of self, ambition, and control. it's choosing God's will over my own, even when it's uncomfortable or costly.

#2: Devotion Demands Obedience

Over the years, God has taught me that delayed obidence is still disobedience. Weather it was stepping into ministry, going back to seminary, or walking thorugh seasons of pruning. I've learned that obedience unlocks blessing. Sometimes it's hard, but it's always worth it.

#3: Devotion Comes though Intimacy

You can't be fully devoted to someone you don't really know. My devotion has deepened as i've grown in intmacy with God - through prayer, the word, fasting, worship, and time spent in His presence. The more i've known Him, the more i've desired, to please Him in every area of life.

#4: Devotion Requires Perseverance

Ministry isn't always easy, There have been moments of discouragment, confusion, and even spiritual exhaustion. But devotion presses on. It leans into God in the hard times. I've learned to trust that He is faithful even when I don't see the full picture.

#5: Devotion Impacts Every Area of Life

Being fully devoted isn't just about Sunday sermons or public ministry. It's about integrity, humility, love, and consistency in the unseen moments - at home, in relationships, and in the quiet places. It's being the same person in private as I am in public.

Today, as I reflect on nearly three decades of pastoral service, I am more aware than ever that this calling is sacred. My heart's desire is to continue being shaped by the Spirit, led by the word, and formed by God's grace. I want to finish well - not just with a ministry resume, but with a life that reflects a heart fully devoted to Jesus.

To any pastor, leader, or believer reading this: full devotion is not just for the pulpit. It's for every follower of Christ. It starts in the heart and flows into every part of who we are. Let us not settle for half-hearted faith. Let us give Him our all - because He gave everything for us.

Dr. Cory Canning.