Communication

My Redemption Story, A Picture Of Leadership

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
10/04/25
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‘Relationship’ is one of the values in our church. One of the ways I’ve seen this expressed is through the celebration of a new believer at their baptism. In the past four years, I’ve witnessed sons (and daughters) being baptised by fathers, brothers and other loved ones. It is such a beautiful scene for me to see a father involved in the life of his children.


Each time there is a baptism, I find myself reflecting on my own baptism, which was the celebration of my childhood. It represented me leaving my childhood and starting the journey into adulthood. Rev. Chisholm was the one who baptised me, so I have that memory etched in my mind of him as the leader who guided me from one era of my life to the next.

He was my pastor/teacher (of the Word) and I had the privilege of observing him with his family, admiring the way he openly expressed his affection for them, and the deep respect and admiration they displayed in return. God knew I needed to see that in action to understand what He called me to in marriage and parenting. Rev. Chisholm was a very good role model for what I needed.

When it comes to leading well at home, Rev. Chisholm and his wife provided a platform from which I could leap. I then understood more clearly the message of Psalm 68:5-6, “A father to the fatherless…” God truly does provide for our every need and His preferred method of provision is through the church.

I saw the perfect picture of leadership (in my understanding of biblical leadership) through my pastor as I engaged with him and his family. I saw it through other church leaders also and wrongfully assumed all Christian husbands operated that way or that they were always operating and would always operate in that spirit. That naive version of me is no more! My forty years of experience in the church and in life taught me otherwise. Nevertheless, I am thankful that I was able to have that experience stored in my long-term memory to now draw on.

The door is now open for the conversation: 

What is the church’s responsibility to the men seated in our pews or watching our sermons online each week?

How can we change the trajectory we are currently on?

Much teaching is required (both at home and in our local churches) to change the trajectory we are currently on, where young men are leaving their childhood unaware of the call to serve.

Most of our young men are entering into relationships unaware of the purpose of dating, and having very little understanding of what they are being called to as husbands and fathers. We as the church have a call on our lives to edify the body (Ephesians 4:11-13). Then, boys will be exposed to biblical leadership as they grow into manhood.

The young girls would grow into adulthood being exposed to such teaching, and would know what to expect from the young men taking an interest in them. That would particularly be of interest to young ladies growing up or who have grown up in a fatherless home or a home where the father is unaware of his role as a father.

There’s a conversation to be had between the church and the families we serve. Better said, we as the ‘Big Church’ should be having a conversation with the ‘little church’ in order to equip others and be equipped ourselves for the mission. The commission (Matthew 28:16-20) is the same for the ‘little church’ as it is for the ‘big church’ and we are God’s hands and feet here on earth, carrying out the mission. If we aren’t carrying out the mission at home or we don’t know how to do so, how will we reproduce God’s image in those we are called to serve?

When we truly represent Christ at home (little church) and our children are discipled in the way, our places of fellowship (big church) will be equipped with healthy servants who will help to carry out the mission. That is what I learned, as a teenager and young adult, watching Rev. Chisholm at work as a leader, in his role as a pastor, a husband and a father. It demonstrated to me that he was not just then being discipled in his role as a husband and a father, he would have been on a continuous learning path.

When we know what we are called to do, and a process of discipleship is in place, we grow in confidence as we practice what we learn, continuously improving. Eventually, we become good at what we are called to do, through practice, and our lives become less chaotic. 

Many are lacking knowledge, and our homes are being destroyed (Hosea 4:6). We continue to provide more cases for divorce lawyers and judges. This is the breeding ground for the fear that is now evident in society and causing some to choose passivity over being actively involved at home and within their places of fellowship. Homes are left without covering, leaving us to self-destruct (John 10:10a). 

For that reason, the home and the church must collaborate and begin to utilise the spiritual gift of teaching so that we can all be equipped to serve. 

Women are therefore stepping into positions we were never called to, holding the fort, waiting for men to rise and step into their God-given leadership roles, both in the little church and the big church. What I saw as an unmarried woman, while being entertained at my pastor’s home, is what I desire for all Christian homes. I saw the joy of the Lord in that home. Happy children were singing (that included me).

The Chisholm family were entertaining strangers in their home that day. As much as my pastor baptised me and knew I was connected to one of his deacons, I was one of many he would have served, and he would be meeting my friend for the first time. However, in providing hospitality, he was allowing God to show Himself strong to me as a fatherless daughter.

I was seeing Psalm 27:10, 68:5-6; Deuteronomy 10:18 and Hosea 14:3 being displayed as he allowed God to serve through him. Looking back on that day, I visited his home, watching him and his family in action makes me think of Hebrews 13:2 even more, which I would like to encourage you with as I close this part of my sharing from my gleaning from the book of Esther.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

~ Hebrews 13:2 ~

 
Continues in  My Redemption Story, Never Too Young To Serve The Lord