Doubting her faith and her fitness for ministry, Rev. Ann Birchmeier surrendered to God — and discovered a calling she never expected.
REV. ANN BIRCHMEIER
New Baltimore: Grace UMC
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of articles highlighting call stories from recent Course of Study graduates, who were honored at the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference. Course of Study is a required theological and leadership education program for licensed local pastors in The United Methodist Church. Read the whole series.
I have been a lifelong United Methodist. Church was a staple in our lives growing up. However, at home we did not actively read the Bible or say prayers, at least not in any habitual way. I certainly would never have pictured myself as a pastor. I have always had a heart for helping people, especially those no one else noticed, but a pastor? No.
I wasn’t always sure of my beliefs, especially regarding salvation and Jesus. When I finally had the courage to share honestly with a pastor what I was struggling with, she responded, “Oh, honey, you do not need to understand or even know what you believe. Just surrender and let him in. He will show you the way.” So I did.
Shortly after, another pastor, Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis, asked if I had ever considered pastoral ministry. Of course, she didn’t know where I was in my journey, that I had just surrendered, so I told her that God didn’t want someone like me, who doesn’t know the Bible, isn’t at all sure of her beliefs, and has a trucker’s mouth. She didn’t miss a beat, telling me, “God calls all kinds of people, because everyone, even truckers, needs pastors. God will figure out how to get you there.” I was still not convinced, but the seed was planted.
In just a couple of years, I would reach a point in my life when I would be up against the wall, and I would tell God that I was letting go of the reins. God responded one Sunday morning when a gentleman I knew to be a self-proclaimed non-believer approached me after I had given a message. He said, “You know where I stand in my beliefs, but you should also know that if I were ever to shift closer to believing, it would be because of your messages.”
In that moment, an overwhelming presence came over me, carrying a clear message: “This is what I want you to do: bring people toward me.” Not long after, I began my journey toward ministry.
I soon embraced the path God laid out, realizing that the more I stepped, the more the path became clear. As part of the path to ministry, I went through a discernment process in which I was asked to creatively express what I foresaw my ministry to be like. I had no idea, as I had never seen myself in ministry, especially as a pastor.
I prayed about it, and this poem was my answer. This is my guide to my pastoral ministry:
In My Dreams, Lord
I hear your voice calling me, asking me, urging me,
Lovingly pushing me to be who you see.Be an apple tree, you say,
bear fruit that will feed.Let those who are hungry,
partake as they need.With each apple eaten, may the seeds take root,
So the hungry grow into trees that bear fruit.Be a lighthouse, you say,
to those feeling lost and alone.Showing them “This is the way,
come follow me home.”May your beacon bring hope in the dark of the night,
Sending love that will cause their spark to ignite.Be outstretched hands, one front and one back.
Both seeking and leading to stay on track.For life is a journey you take hand in hand,
Pulling each other to my promised land.Open your heart to the wisdom I send,
Through the teachers before you whose hands now extend.Reach back and grab onto the next hand in line,
Showing them what it means to be one of mine.But I am afraid, dear Lord, for what if I fail?
Am I too old, has this ship set sail?What if I cannot bear fruit for your people,
or I run out of light, or my faith becomes feeble?Believe me, dear child, for I gave you these gifts
A spirit and a light to inspire and uplift.All else you may need, I will provide
Let my compassion and strength and love be your guide.This life that I gave you is not a race,
It is a testament of my divine grace.So go be a blessing to all whom you meet,
Remembering my child, you are my hands and feet.—Inspired by God,
Written by Ann Birchmeier
Ministry means different things to me at different times, but it is always a chance to be in connection with God, God’s people, and God’s creation. I am convinced that no matter how we see ourselves, God sees the better version of us and continually reminds us of who we truly are. My ministry is to help connect people to God so they can see that too, and then to love them into becoming that.
This series of articles is made possible by generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on September 29, 2026