Ministry wasn’t my first professional career. I’ve mopped floors as a janitor, watered plants at a nursery, flipped burgers as a fry cook, marched in boots as a soldier and airman, wrangled lesson plans as a teacher, and pushed plenty of paper as support staff. And you know what every one of those jobs had in common? Training. Some class, workshop, or “this is how you do it” moment. You don’t just get handed a mop, a spatula, or a classroom full of teenagers without some instruction (trust me, that would end badly).

Last week in my Loop article, Who Cares?, I reflected on Rev. Dr. Toni’s devotion and the framework of C.A.R.E.S. This week, I want to zoom in on the “E”: Empowerment through Education.

Think about it: the janitor in me learned which chemicals not to mix (very important). The fry cook in me learned how to move fast without setting my apron on fire. The soldier in me learned to be ready before dawn (still working on that part). The teacher in me learned that no matter how well the lesson is planned, the copier will jam at the worst possible moment. Each job had lessons that stuck—and each lesson equipped me to serve better.

That’s how education works. It gives us tools we didn’t know we needed until we face a challenge. And when we pass those tools along, we empower someone else to succeed.

The same is true in ministry. In the Southwest Conference, we grow stronger when we share what we know. Workshops, mentoring, book studies, even a casual conversation over coffee—all of these moments of learning equip us for faithful service.

So, here’s my invitation: lean into learning. Take a class. Teach a class. Try something new. Share what you’ve learned, even if it came from a kitchen, a classroom, or a drill field. God has a way of turning every lesson into a gift for the community.