It took time for Linda Teleo Hope to realise the call she felt to the ministry was really from God. She became a minister in the armed forces and has never looked back
I was 18 when I first felt a calling to the ministry. I didn't tell anyone about this. I thought I was imagining things. Although women had been in the ministry for years in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ), I did not have any role models.
My father confirmed it for me when he said one day that another minister had asked him if I'd ever considered the ministry. He said it in such a flippant way that I thought he hadn't taken the suggestion seriously. He had a conservative, traditional and stereotypical view of women.
If my father could reach beyond the limits of his culture, tradition and beliefs and mention this issue to me, even flippantly, then I could look beyond the limits I knew to consider this as a very real call from God. In fact, both my parents became very strong supporters of my decision to enter the ministry. And I've always felt accepted as a minister by my Tuvaluan, Samoan and Tokelauan colleagues in the PCANZ who have close links with the Tokelauan ethnic group. This may be partly because Tokelauans are so few that we look out for each other.
Only one Tokelauan minister has been heard making bad comments about women in the ministry. And he wasn't a Presbyterian. I could have ignored his words, but they caused deep hurt in the congregation I was working with. I resolved to meet him in person to begin building bridges.
It was important to meet him in the spirit of Christian love. We ended our discussion amicably agreeing that we should look after one another as a witness to the community of God.
Armed ministry
I'm currently chaplain in the armed forces. I've followed the greatest peacemaker
into an organisation that has a licence to destroy.
I may not like where I'm going, but I will follow God not just to where it is easy or peaceful, but also to where it is difficult and even ugly. When I become too comfortable there, then I may have to rethink my purpose.
God's ministry is painful and rewarding. I have felt pain and joy because of the people I've been called to serve. I'm sure I've been the cause of much pain and joy too.
What keeps me going is my promise to myself to follow Jesus' way of transformation. The day I redirect the ugliness I meet or hit out with cruel words is the day I leave the ministry.
One day God may call me to a different challenge. If and when that day arrives I will certainly shed many tears. But for today I can only marvel at the experiences I've received because of my call.