“No matter what my job is, it’s a ministry role. That’s how I see work in general,” says Dave Pacheco, Encompass’s Director of Mobilization and Recruitment. 

Dave has a masters degree in communication, which has enabled him to work in a variety of different industries throughout his career—after all, every field requires communication. Before assuming his current role with Encompass, he worked as a high school teacher, the pastor of a church, and an insurance agent. Although only one of those roles was an official “ministry” job, Dave told us, “I’d say that I’ve been in a vocational ministry role my entire life.”

He says, “There have been a lot of opportunities to share with people the hope that I have.” For instance, when he worked in insurance, and someone would tell him about their family history of cancer, he would ask them, “Can I take my agent hat off and put my friend hat on and pray for you?” What an awesome way to shine God’s light in a secular work environment! 

When Dave started his role at Encompass, he said, “Even though this is a new vocation, I don’t view it as a new ministry, because I view life as ministry no matter what the vocation is.”

We’re so refreshed by Dave’s perspective on life as a ministry regardless of career path. He really understands that the Great Commission isn’t just for missionaries. 

Just like it says in 1 Peter 4:10–11, “Each of you should use whatever gift you’ve received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

And that’s the beauty of the church: we all have unique opportunities to share Jesus with the people around us since God put us all in different roles. As Christ’s body, we can go further together when we’re all magnifying God in our own spheres.

God, give me opportunities to shine Your light during my daily life.