According to the Hartford Institute, there are approximately 350,000 religious congregations in the U.S. From these congregations, many people are receiving a word from God and according to Andrae Crouch in his new song lyrics (Let the Church Say Amen), when they receive the word, they should say Amen. As we continue our series on career paths, the critical questions to be asked are: What career path can lead to a campus pastor for the Potter’s House? What influenced pastor Patrick E. Winfield II to pursue a career in education and ministry? What advice does Winfield give to students desiring to pursue a career in the ministry?

The Potter’s House is a nondenominational, mega-church founded by T. D. Jakes located in Dallas, Texas. Since its inception in 1996, the Potter’s House has grown from 50 families to 30,000 members. The church has ministries for children, women, men, health, prison, rehabilitation, counseling, school, Christian education and marriage. Founded on biblical principles, it is one of the fastest growing churches in the U.S. with campuses in North Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Patrick E. Winfield II is the campus pastor for the Potter’s House in Fort Worth with 1500 members. Winfield accepted the call to preach the Gospel in 1991 and became an ordained minister in 1996. He says that we all have a purpose in life and are uniquely created to do something that will utilize our God given talents. Married to wife Veronica with three children, Christiaan, Joshua and Caleb, Winfield’s mission at the Potter’s House is to transform lives, build leaders and strengthen families by helping people discover and live in the grace of God.

Winfield earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English and a minor in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois. He completed a Master’s of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from Dallas Baptist University. In education, Winfield says that his career path was influenced by his 5th grade English teacher, Charles Jones and college professor and pastor, Chester Fontenot. He notes that both men were very effective and innovative in their crafts and made English a fun subject to learn and teach. In ministry, Winfield notes that his career path can be summed by proverbs 16:9: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” He states that he has always received strong impressions from God that was called to impact youth and families.

As such, Winfield has worked continuously in both the field of education and ministry. These roles include English teacher and department head, vice principal, principal, youth pastor and pastor of a thriving and growing church he started in Las Vegas, Nev. As Winfield continues to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the Potter’s House, he stands on the scripture of Joshua 1:8: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

As part of his passion, leadership and stewardship, Winfield has served missions in South Africa, Namibia and Kenya, as well as established a College Bible Study in Campaign, Ill. He currently serves on the Woodhaven Economic Development Board and the Alumni Board for McCormick Theological Seminary.

For students who desire to pursue a career in the ministry, Winfield recommends that they “find someone who is doing what you want to do and ask for mentoring and advice. Look for ways of becoming more marketable in your desired career. Be well rounded in communication and know your craft. Discover what God has graces you to do and do it.” Winfield believes that our skill set, temperament, passion, personality and pains are gifts, and that these gifts have been uniquely given to us for a purpose. “If you can find your purpose, you will find your life,” says Winfield.

We sincerely thank Patrick Winfield II for sharing his personal and professional experience for others to learn about a career path in the ministry.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of two books, “Education Questions to be Answered” and “Current Issues and Answers in Education.” He is publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. Holmes is the national superintendent of education for the National Save the Family Now Movement, Inc., a former teacher, school administrator and district superintendent. He can be reached at [email protected]