Three Questions is a semi-regular series introducing individuals across the NAB by asking them about their story, their ministry, and what they are learning. This week, we hear from Daisy Ejang, the director of Worship and Connections at Steel Heights Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta.
What’s your story?
My name is Daisy Hope Ejang. I was born and raised in Uganda. I am the last child of seven siblings. While I didn’t have what most people would call a “good” life, at least in terms of material things because poverty was a reality, it was still by far the most joyful and hopeful! God provided me with a mother who taught me to trust God in all circumstances. That was the best inheritance she left me.
She often reminded me that even though we were poor, God was in control. I recall a particular moment when we were without food. As a child, I expected her to provide. She told me, “Child, I have nothing to give you today, but if you will ask your Heavenly Father, he will provide for me, and I will be able to provide for you.” In my childlike faith, I cried out, “Abba, I’m hungry.” As the Lord would have it, when I woke up the next morning, my mother had miraculously found food for us that day. When I inquired about how she had done it, she gently reminded me, “Your Heavenly Father provided.” This particular event, along with many others, strengthened my faith and dependence on God.
Like most children, I saw my humble beginnings as unfair and unfortunate, but God changed my perspective over time. I used to despise the label of “orphan” that life had thrown at me, believing it to be unfair, but now I see how God used these circumstances as an invitation for an orphan child like me to know him as Abba Father. Where there was a substantial lack, the Lord transformed it into an opportunity to experience him as Jehovah Jireh, My Provider. As a result, my life is filled with testimonies of God’s goodness to this date. Praise the Lord!
What has ministry been like for you?
On May 7, 2024, I began serving as the director of Worship and Connections at Steele Heights Baptist Church. Navigating a new environment with a rapidly growing intercultural community has been extremely exciting, challenging, and enlightening in terms of my perspective on ministry.
I’ve found myself returning to the two greatest commandments found in Matthew 22:37–39: “Jesus replied, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself”’” (NIV). These two commandments serve as the foundation of my ministry context.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul emphasizes the significance of love, stating that no matter how effectively we accomplish something, without love, it is meaningless! Therefore, operating from a place of love for God and his people, in that order, challenges me to demonstrate a Christlike character to those I serve, such as patience, humility, perseverance, compassion, gentleness, etc., all of which are required for any ministry to thrive.
What are you learning?
The fear of failure in ministry can be crippling and intimidating. Hence, ministry continually challenges me to remain confident in doing the work God has called me to do, yet with extreme humility. When God calls us to serve, he gives us grace and equips us with his Spirit to carry out the task he has assigned to us. And so, we trust he who has begun a good work in us is faithful and just to bring it to completion.