| Home Churches and Schools Ministerial Snapshots of the Savior Growing up Halvorsen | Email | Print |
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Growing up in the Halvorsen home was anything but boring. It meant life on the move. In fact, when I was in second grade we moved nine times in one year.
Dad, as the evangelist for the Carolina Conference, held nine meetings a year. We did have a home in Charlotte, North Carolina, though we probably spent less than two weeks there that whole year. The rest of the year we lived in a 65-foot trailer that we would pull from city to city. It was a whirlwind tour, for sure. There were times when we’d finish an evangelistic series one weekend, pack up and move the trailer to another city and start yet another series of meetings the following Friday night.
Growing up in Ministry
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Growing up Halvorsen also meant growing up in ministry. My sister, Diane, and I had spent more time in church and meetings by the time we left home than most people experience in their entire lives. In those days Dad would hold five meetings a week in the evenings, plus a church service on the weekend.
Diane and I heard Dad preach so often that we both knew his evangelistic sermons by heart. Sitting in the back with Mom, we would quietly follow along in unison with Dad. People in nearby seats thought my sister and I had the gift of prophecy—we knew what the preacher was going to say even before he said it!
Now, as I look back, I can see how during those early years we were being trained for ministry . . . without even knowing it. And what a training we received! We spent months living in the basements of churches or behind them in campers or trailers. We learned to be prayer warriors, spending our lives praying for people to attend the meetings. And when they did come, we prayed that they would accept Jesus and be baptized. I grew up running film projectors and helping out behind the scenes. Dad would occasionally take me on visits with him.
Parents as Role Models
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My parents were role models, truly dedicated to God and a life of ministry and service. They exemplified a love and life of sacrifice for Jesus that is deeply ingrained in me today. By the time I officially started ministry, it felt as though I had already put in 20-plus years of service.
Growing up Halvorsen meant living in every region of the country, in more states than I care to count. It meant being adaptable, making friends quickly and learning to say good-bye gracefully. It meant a life of serving God and caring for others. My sister and I had the privilege to witness in Dad and Mom, first-hand, a passion for Jesus and the gospel.
Yes, life as a Halvorsen meant there were times Dad couldn’t be home with us, or at a school function, or at other life events. However, we all felt it was our work that took him away. It was never just Dad’s work. And it wasn’t just Dad’s calling. Ministry was our calling, and our life. And wouldn’t you know it . . . it still is!
Praise the Lord, my sister and I are both PK’s, or pastor’s kids, and still in the church today! More than that, we are both pastors. Our models and our mentors taught us about a life of ministry and service, and about real dedication to God. It seems the lessons stuck!
So, Mom and Dad, not only did you do good for God, you did good for us and for your church as well. We are very proud of you!
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