In Depth with Overseers Caleb and Tina Mashushire of Indianapolis, IN
(Regional Overseers & National youth advisers)
By Wadzi Muzwidzwa
So what do a pastor and a young Christian have in common? The two often seem worlds apart. Pastors, after all, are seasoned individuals who lead entire congregations in a growing ministry. And young Christians are just children in the Spirit trying to pave their way in their beliefs and often failing while they learn to fly. But suppose these two seemingly different groups are more alike than they appear? Suppose even, that they can learn from each other? Help each other out in their individual walks with Christ?
In a powerful new series, Forward in Faith Youth decided to interview pastors in order to bring them to you. We got in-depth and asked the profound questions you would want to know. Like: in what ways have they messed up? What do they really think of today’s youth? And how can their life lessons help you?
Pastors Caleb and Tina Mashushire are incredible overseers in Forward in Faith Ministries. As head pastors of the Indiana church, they have taken on the calling of God for six years running. Keep in mind that they are also simultaneously national advisors, parents and professionals as well. Yet, they have managed to balance their load flawlessly by staying centered on the values that matter most: God, the ministry and each other.
Read below for their candid interview:
How did you come to Christ?
- Pastor Caleb: I was raised in Forward in Faith. My parents came to Forward in Faith way before I was born. It was probably when I was 14 yrs old when I really realized that my parents’ salvation was not a ticket for me to go to heaven. So I realized at that time I needed to make my own personal decision to follow Christ.
- Pastor Tina: I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ when I was like 12 or 13 at a revival service.
Can you name a memorable moment you experienced as a young Christian?
- Pastor Caleb: When I made the decision to surround myself with people who were focused. Positive people who would not compromise, people who would serve the Lord with all their hearts. And the moment I made the decision, I realized the right people surrounded me and they kept me accountable.
What is the hardest thing you think is facing today’s youth?
- Pastor Caleb: They got so many voices saying all kinds of things to them. You look in the media, you look everywhere, I know for sure the number one target of the devil is the young people. The young people are surrounded with a lot of messages that are being thrown at them. Some messages are saying its ok to compromise. Some messages are saying its ok you can do this while you say you are a Christian, you can do this, you can do that, you can be a gay Christian. There’s so many voices telling them what to do. Anytime somebody chooses to be different and say “I’m not gonna comprise”, the world looks at them like there’s something wrong with them. But the people are not listening to the other gentle voice that is the voice of the Lord.
- Pastor Tina: Just being relevant. There’s so many outside influences that take their mind off of things of God so being able to be relevant and be able to capture their minds so they understand the importance of serving
If you could take part in any event in the Bible what would that event be and why?
- Pastor Caleb: I would have loved to have been with the apostle Paul to have been a traveling companion, carrying his bags as he was going on the mission fields. And to also have been with him particularly when he was in the Phillippian jail. I know he’s the one that told Silas lets sing even though we are in chains, let us sing in hymns, let us praise the Lord, I would love to have been there to just see God causing an earthquake in that prison.
- Pastor Tina: I would’ve loved to have been able to see Jesus and how he walked with his disciples and how the women ministered to Him. I think that’s the part I would’ve loved to be around at that particular time.
Many young people assume Christianity gets easier as you get older. Is that true or a misconception?
- Pastor Caleb: That is a misconception. The way I view life, the younger you start, the better off you are. Coming late, knowing the Lord or being committed later in life I think that’s dangerous because as people get older they get so stuck in their ways. I mean you look at somebody older, 40 something year old guy getting married, that person is really stuck in their ways. I mean I pray for the person they will marry! They are stuck in their ways. They don’t think they can change. I just heard of a guy his wife just had a brain aneurism and as she was recovering he’s busy arguing with her and putting pressure on her and I realized most of it has to do with older in age. Its almost impossible to change when you’re older.
- Pastor Tina: I think that’s not true. I think the earlier you become a Christian the better off, because the longer you wait the more difficult it is to understand the Word because you’re also dealing with other challenges. Like if you wait too long to accept the Lord you may have already been married to an ungodly person and so you’re trying to live for God and you’re trying to live with a man that doesn’t know God. That’s just an example. So my advice is the earlier the better because you wont have as many challenges as you get older when you’re walking with the Lord. But if you wait, you’re gonna have more challenges because you’ve made a lot of bad mistakes and decisions. And those decisions and mistakes don’t go away very easily and some of them are a lifetime long and yield severe consequences. So people that wait until they’re older they may now be dealing with diseases, addictions, ungodly relationships. So my advice is the earlier the better. The less challenges and trials you’re gonna go through if you search Him now and get to know Him now.
Can you talk about a time you messed up really bad spiritually?
- Pastor Caleb: During the early days growing up as a pastor’s kid, I remember there would be people that would sometimes make fun of the church because during the early days, the early 70s, the church was quite poor and we didn’t have a lot of stuff. So when we moved from one place to another, I would hear people making fun of our church. So a few times I would put the law into my own hands and hit somebody. So that’s something I regret, going in the opposite spirit. So sometimes when people say all kinds of negative things, sometimes you can always go in the opposite spirit, not to try to put the law into your own hands and not try to fix somebody.
- Pastor Tina: Having boyfriends in my late teens and very early twenties. That was a real crucial time n my life because if I’d made the wrong decision at the time, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today. So it was during that time, my late teens up until I was about 21, 22. From that time, that’s where I can say I really messed up and could’ve ruined my life. That’s why I have such a heart for youth because if we can get them at that age where the enemy is raging the most, it will keep them from getting in to stuff that’s gonna ruin their lives.
Which verses are important for youth to know and memorize?
- Pastor Caleb: 2 Timothy 1:7 That is my favorite scripture.
- Pastor Tina: I would say Phillippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Also Jeremiah 29:11, Phillippians 4:8-9 and Romans 12:1-2.
Name something about yourself that many people don’t know.
- Pastor Caleb: Many people don’t know that I went through US military basic training and graduated. People were leaving training left and right, being sent home, it wasn’t easy, but I did it. Then from there I went to the US School for Chaplains after graduating from basic training.
- Pastor Tina: Many people don’t know that I like knowing what’s going on around me, like world issues. So I watch a lot of news, international and local news. I like to know the latest of everything, the latest styles, the latest music.
What is your favorite hobby/ thing to do when you want to relax?
- Pastor Caleb: When I want to relax I love to watch sports – football, basketball, anything
- Pastor Tina: I like reading. I like exercising and I exercise on a regular basis. I like watching comedy movies. I like Tyler Perry, he’s one of my favorite actors.
Can you give relationship tips/advice?
- Pastor Caleb: Learn to listen. James 1:5 talks about being quick to listen and slow to speak. In marriage if you want to be successful, if you want peace you gotta learn to listen. That’s why somebody said, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” What it means is you are required to listen more than you talk. If you talk too much you are going to have trouble. Learn the skill of listening.
- Pastor Tina: The biggest relationship tip that I would give is before you get involved in a relationship, pray first. Pray and ask God, “Is this the person I should marry?” Because if you just want a friend that’s fine, but you shouldn’t waste your time with people. And if the answer is no, don’t pursue a relationship with that person. And this has nothing to do with the church policy, it’s just what I feel you should do otherwise you’re gonna have heartbreak and unnecessary problems that you’re gonna go through. So pray first.
In sitting down with this dynamic duo, what we found was both enlightening and eye-opening. We learned that yes, it is true they are powerful Spirit-filled leaders in the ministry. Yes, they are filled with valuable knowledge. But we also learned that they’re human and they’ve made mistakes too. But they learned from every mistake and want you to as well. Above all, we learned an undeniable truth: in the Christian realm, regardless of age or title, we all are more alike than we are different. Thank you Overseers Caleb and Tina for this enlightening interview!
