The life of a preacher can be tough at times and also rewarding at times. Pastors help people overcome their personal challenges while also confronting their own struggles. According to inthyword.org, 1500 pastors leave the ministry each year, some leave the ministry due to family or personal concerns. This life of service before self is not made for everybody.
This is the path that Chris Ferguson has decided to follow. As a bright and energetic young man just starting out in the field, Ferguson will begin his young ministry at Buckley Road Baptist Church before moving on to a church in Chicago, Illinois. Once there, he will work part-time preaching, working with the teenagers and young adults of the church, and serving the needs of the local community.
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church kneels by his bed to pray duing his daily devotion time inside his house at Liverpool, NY, March 11, 2017. Ferguson uses his devotion time to prepare for the events of the day. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church reads a Bible duing his daily devotion time inside his house at Liverpool, NY, March 11, 2017. Ferguson uses his devotion time to prepare for the events of the day. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, talks with his sister during teen bowling event for the church Feb. 24, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Ferguson credits the support of his family for growing as a Christian. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, talks with teenagers during a teen bowling event for the church Feb. 24, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Ferguson helps teach the youth group at the church. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, throws a bowling ball, during teen bowling event for the church Feb. 24, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Ferguson helps teach the youth group of the church. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, helps out the teenage Sunday school class invite people to church, at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 11, 2017. Ferguson helps teach the teenage Sunday school class. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, helps out the teenage Sunday school class invite people to church, at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 11, 2017. Ferguson helps teach the teenage Sunday school class. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, helps out the teenage Sunday school class invite people to church, at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 11, 2017. Ferguson helps teach the teenage Sunday school class. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, helps out the teenage Sunday school class invite people to church, at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 11, 2017. Ferguson helps teach the teenage Sunday school class. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Christ Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Batptist Church prepares dinner with his family inside his house at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 13, 2017. Ferguson is living with his parents until he leaves for Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Christ Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Batptist Church prepares dinner with his family inside his house at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 13, 2017. Ferguson is living with his parents until he leaves for Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Dice rest on the table of Chris Ferguson's, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, parents house March 4, 2016, at Liverpool, NY. Ferguson says part of the reason he's grounded in his faith is because of strong family relationships. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Rominica Cannon, Chris Ferguson's mom, plays a round of Bingo during family game night insider her home March 4, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Cannon hopes that her son starts a loving Christian family of his own. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Christ Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, and his family play Bingo during a family game night inside his parents home March 4, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Chris credits his family for helping him grow as a Christian. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church plays Farkle a dice game with his family March 4, 2016, at Liverpool, NY. Ferguson says part of the reason he's grounded in his faith is because of strong family relationships. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
A prayer card is displayed on Chris Ferguson's bed, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, March 11, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Ferguson uses the prayer cards to remember prayer requests for different people. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church reads a Bible duing his daily devotion time inside his house at Liverpool, NY, March 11, 2017. Ferguson uses his devotion time to prepare for the events of the day. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, walk into the church at Liverpool, NY, March 11, 2017. Ferguson helps teach the youth group at the church. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor from Buckley Road Baptist Church, teaches the teenager Sunday School Class, inside the church at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 19, 2017. Ferguson is preparing for his future ministry in Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor from Buckley Road Baptist Church, teaches the teenager Sunday School Class, inside the church at Liverpool, NY, April 9, 2017. Ferguson is preparing for his future ministry in Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor from Buckley Road Baptist Church, teaches the teenager Sunday School Class, inside the church at Liverpool, NY, April 9, 2017. Ferguson is preparing for his future ministry in Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor from Buckley Road Baptist Church, teaches the teenager Sunday School Class, inside the church at Liverpool, NY, April 9, 2017. Ferguson is preparing for his future ministry in Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor from Buckley Road Baptist Church, teaches the teenager choir, inside the church at Liverpool, NY, Feb. 19, 2017. Ferguson is preparing for his future ministry in Chicago. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Members of the Buckley Road Baptist Church teenager choir sing during a mission’s conference Feb. 26, 2017 at Liverpool, NY. The choir was one of the main highlights during the mission’s conference. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Shoes are displayed on the floor of Chris Ferguson's room at Liverpool, NY, March 11, 2017. Ferguson is a intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, an intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, plays basketball with family and friends at Liverpool, NY, April 13, 2017. Ferguson play different games together to pass the time. ( Photo by Rusty Frank)
A cross is displayed inside the auditorium of Buckley Baptist Church April 9, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. Pastors such as Chris Ferguson speak in the auditorium of the church. (Photo by Rusty Frank)
Chris Ferguson, intern pastor at Buckley Road Baptist Church, speaks inside the church aduitorium April 30, 2017, at Liverpool, NY. As an intern pastor Ferguson preached and helped lead the youth group of the church. (Photos by Rusty Frank)
