By Ruth Yong Wang Theen
When Pastor Miller Likup walked into an evangelical service on 15 March 1987, he had no idea his life was about to change forever. It had been an ordinary day. He had just finished drinking with friends when his wife urged him to join her at church that evening. Out of respect and curiosity, he agreed.
“I was slightly drunk,” he recalled. “But that night, for the first time in my life, I heard the Gospel clearly.” The preacher was sharing about what it meant to be born again in Christ. Although Miller didn’t fully understand the message, something stirred in his heart when the altar call was given, and he responded.
In the weeks that followed, everything began to change.
He stopped going to pubs and found himself singing worship songs at home. His wife noticed the transformation, and together they began attending a charismatic church where they grew in the faith.
Some years later, through prophetic confirmation and personal conviction, he accepted the call into full-time ministry. “An old preacher prophesied that God had chosen me for the Church,” he shared. “And fifteen years after I was born again, I accepted the call to be a pastor.”
The cost of obedience in ministry
Like many in ministry, Pastor Miller’s path has been shaped by both joy and hardship.
One of the greatest tests came when he had to confront three leaders in his church who were on the preaching roster. He had felt led to rebuke them in love and remove them from the roster in order for them to be restored to wholeness. “It was the hardest thing to do. They were close friends,” he remembered. Two quietly left the church while one stayed faithful until the end of his life.
“We must remember that not everyone is called to preach or pastor,” he explained. “But each believer has at least one spiritual gift. We are to serve with what the Spirit gives us.” He cited 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, which outlines the variety of spiritual gifts, all distributed by the Holy Spirit for the common good.
Another painful moment came when local authorities demolished a half-built church structure in a squatter area. “We were so poor at the time. It was heartbreaking,” he said. “But godly leaders from other churches came to encourage us. They reminded us that Jesus had placed us there to be a light.” That church would eventually relocate to Matang Jaya, where they still meet today.
Despite these trials, Pastor Miller has also seen great joy. “The Lord has blessed us with a better rented space,” he shared. “Now we have air conditioning, carpeted floors, a PA system, and most importantly, Spirit-filled leaders and members who operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The best is yet to come.”
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)
“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)
“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” – 1 John 5:4 (NLT)
Anchored by a living relationship with Jesus
When asked what sustains him in ministry through tough times, Pastor Miller replied without hesitation: “A living, loving relationship with Jesus. That’s the key.”
He referenced John 15:5, where Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” (NIV)
This truth has shaped his life. “True Christianity isn’t about rituals,” he said. “It’s about remaining connected to Christ all the time. Day and night, in church and at home.” He added that when a believer is disconnected from Jesus, even outward success means nothing. “You can do many things, but without Christ, it amounts to zero in God’s eyes.”
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” – John 15:8 (NKJV).
The call must come from Jesus Himself
In reflecting on the next generation of pastors and church leaders, Pastor Miller offered a sobering warning. “Too many step into ministry without a call from Jesus,” he said. “They graduate from seminary, receive titles, but the call must come from the Head of the Church Himself.”
He referred to Jesus’ words in Revelation, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:22, NIV) “If you are truly called, you will hear His voice,” he added.
His advice to young people sensing God’s call? Go back to the Bible. “The pattern is always there. We are undershepherds. Jesus is the Great Shepherd.”
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” – John 10:27 (NKJV)
The minister also believes that churches would do well to embrace the five-fold ministry described in Ephesians 4:11–13.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…” (Ephesians 4:11–12, NKJV)
He stressed the need for every believer to recognise their spiritual gifts and use them. “Whether it’s prayer, preaching, encouraging, giving, or interceding quietly in your room, each gift matters. The church grows when the whole body functions in unity.”
He also cited Romans 12:3–8 and 1 Peter 4:10–11 as key texts that show the variety of roles in the church. “It’s not about titles. It’s about service,” he said. “Jesus is still building His church today.”
A glorious walk despite our failures
When asked to summarise his journey with God, Pastor Miller responded with humility: “My journey has been glorious. But the only problem is me.”
He likened our walk with God to marriage or parenting. It requires love, faithfulness, and grace. “We’re saved, but we’re still being perfected. The Holy Spirit works in us daily to make us more like Jesus.”
He pointed back to God’s original purpose—to restore His people to His image. “We were made in the likeness of God. Through Christ, we are slowly but surely becoming like Him again.”
“We all… are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory…” – 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
As a final encouragement, Pastor Miller urged the church to keep its passion for Jesus alive. “We must fan into flame the gift of God,” he said, quoting 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV). “Don’t let the fire go out. The Holy Spirit is in you, but He will only work with you if you are willing.”
He warned against spiritual complacency and encouraged believers to return to personal relationship with Jesus. “Worship Him. Pray. Encourage others. Use your gift, however small it may seem. Sometimes, the most powerful ministry happens in a room where no one sees you, but God sees you.”
Pastor Miller’s story is not just one of transformation. It is one of continued obedience, Spirit-led perseverance, and deep relationship with Jesus. His life is a living reminder that ministry is not about titles or perfection, but about being faithful to the One who calls.
And as he says with confidence, “The best is yet to come.”
