"Listen to the Lord. Do whatever the Lord leads you to do,” advised Josh Beckman. “Don’t try to run from a calling. If you have one, go for it.”
Josh is already doing what he feels the Lord is calling him to do. After feeling called to the ministry, Josh has taken a job with a local church.
“I’m the interim pastor at East Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. I’ve been involved in church all my life, and I guess I started preaching two or three years ago. I filled in on Wednesday nights after our pastor out at Montrose left to plant a church in Minnesota,” explained Josh. “I fell in love with preaching and believe that if you love to preach and are good at it, then that’s what you’re called to do. I took the calling in January and surrendered to the ministry. I did struggle with it a little before I actually surrendered, but I knew it’s what I’m supposed to do, so I kept that in mind. Shortly thereafter, I became the interim at East Pleasant Grove. I’ll be ordained this summer.”
Growing up, Josh was extremely reserved and wouldn’t really speak to anybody. Over the years, he has overcome that and now goes out and speaks to as many people as he can in the community. He is passionate about his calling and encourages others to get involved in church as well.
“I’ve overcome my shyness. I used to not talk to other people. Now, I love to talk to people. I love to get up in front of other people, and it doesn’t bother me a bit. I just get up and pretend no one else is there and do whatever I have to do and let the Lord lead me,” expressed Josh. “I try to get out in the community a lot and get people to coming back to church. We’ve all slacked off going through the pandemic and all. I think it’s time to get back in church where we need to be.”
Although Josh is still very young, his family has not tried to stop him from doing what he feels called to do. In fact, they encourage him.
“Everyone has been supportive of my decision to enter the ministry,” stated Josh. “They’ve all backed me one hundred percent with that.”
Preaching isn’t the only form of ministry that Josh does. He has always loved and had a passion for gospel music, and he uses music as a form of ministry as well.
“I grew up on Southern Gospel music and always loved it. We’ve always listened to it at the house, and I fell in love with it. When I was little, we would go to every gospel concert in the area. Any time a group was around, we would go hear them.” declared Josh. “When I was really little, I always wanted to sing bass in a group. I couldn’t find anyone to sing with, so I started up two groups so I’d have somebody to sing with—Sending Hope and Southern Joy. We try to have at least one concert a month and go out to different churches in the surrounding counties and sing.”
Although he has already started his position as interim pastor at East Pleasant Grove, Josh just recently graduated from Quitman High School on May 21. His senior year was different than he could have ever anticipated, but it worked perfectly for him. In fact, he is already planning what to do to continue his education in the future.
“I did my senior year of high school online through virtual learning. I was never really a fan of school and would rather stay home all the time. I graduated with high honors,” stated Josh. “I plan on going to seminary in about a year, probably in New Orleans. I have a full scholarship from Jones College and will probably do that online before I go to seminary.”
On top of church work, school, and concerts with his groups, Josh is also actively involved in different events in the community. He is a hard worker and doesn’t mind helping out where he is needed.
“I usually work around the Baptist Center whenever they need something. I’m there when they have an event and do whatever they need me to do. I try to go to anything that has to do with the churches around here. I promote gospel concerts. I usually like to have a concert at the church at least every other month or so,” explained Josh. “I was Santa Claus for Fantasy Cottage, and I was Santa Claus in the Stonewall parade this past year. I just started doing that.”
As busy as he stays, it is hard to imagine that Josh has time for anything else. He does have some different things he enjoys doing when he does have those few free moments, though.
“I love to work outside. I like to cut grass and everything,” said Josh. “I used to play the guitar a good bit. I haven’t had as much time to play lately. I’ve been playing since seventh grade. I took a couple of classes at the school to learn how to play and have played ever since.”
No matter where he goes, Josh will always greet everyone he meets with a joyful smile. He will continue to grow and learn, but he will also always remember to embrace his calling.
