The Power of a Calling
“Hi there! My name is Josh, and I’m a husband, dad of three, and a follower of Jesus who is passionate about the local church. I attend and serve at North Pointe Community Church here in Edmonton, where my family and I are rooted in community. I love people and believe deeply in the power of the call of God on a person’s life, and I’m excited to start this next chapter with the ABNWT District Team.”
Some of the most cherished memories of my childhood are from tagging along with my dad to Chi-Alpha, a young adult ministry based out of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he served as chaplain. I remember walking down the hallway to the vending machine to get a can of Five Alive, playing with my toy cars under the lecture desk while young adults sang These Are the Days of Elijah, and after falling asleep in an empty guitar case, being carried out by 20-something-year-olds to my parents' Dodge Grand Caravan.
These memories, among others, have stuck with me and undoubtedly shaped how I live out my calling. Now, as I raise my three children, I can reflect on the gift God gave me in those experiences. There are moments in my life that have become planted seeds and have slowly revealed my call to ministry. Many years later, I found myself at West Edmonton Christian Assembly, where I had the opportunity to become deeply ingrained in the life of the church. It was in the richness of that season that I developed a deep love for life in community—one where we not only lived alongside each other but also served together.
Fast forward to November 2019: I found myself sitting at my desk, working in community engagement with one of the largest charities in Canada. It was near the end of that season that I started to sense what my father-in-law calls “Holy Spirit discontentment”. Through prayer and discernment in community, I knew it was time to follow the calling I had felt since childhood and into my teenage years.
After a short stint at Vanguard College, I found myself serving with Kids On Track, a charity focused on bringing the hope of Christ to those far from Him. For the past five years, I’ve served as their Executive Director, and now I’m excited to join the PAOC ABNWT District Team as their Next Gen Coach.
I love leadership. Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for goals, strategy, development… You name it. Over the past few years, however, I’ve been reminded of the hand of God and the simple, profoundness of His call to vocational ministry. I’m not sure what your upbringing looked like. Whether your life looked a bit like mine, whether you grew up in a home where faith wasn’t talked about, whether you slid right into ministry or came kicking and screaming (you know who you are)—the call of God is the single most important thing for His children.
As I settle into this role over the summer, I’m looking forward to sitting down with you, hearing about your call to ministry, learning about your greatest joys and most frustrating challenges, and praying for God to move in whatever context you’re serving in.
In another 20 years’ time, I know I’ll look back on this season and be grateful for every conversation, every prayer, and the privilege of walking alongside each one of you in ministry.
P.S. In the meantime, check out and register for a Catalytic Cohort. I will be facilitating one, and I know it will be a meaningful opportunity to share in the wins and challenges of ministry with others in similar contexts.
Josh Dewling is a husband, dad of three, and a follower of Jesus who is passionate about the local church. He joins the ABNWT Team as the Next Gen Coach on August 1, 2026.