By: Roy Wilkinson, Senior Pastor
Highlands Church of God
Transitioning from Deputy Fire Chief to full-time Senior Pastor has been both rewarding and challenging. After over 22 years in the fire service, I’ve gathered countless stories and lessons—many of which now guide me in my new role. I feel compelled to share these insights, in the hope that they’ll offer encouragement and guidance to others navigating their own journeys in leadership, ministry, or life.
My Early Days at the Fire Department
In May 2000, life moved at a slower pace. This was before smartphones, when Nextel phones were the standard and internet speeds tested your patience. In Lake Wales, the fire department operated out of a building attached to the old city hall and police station—a structure dating back to the 1920s. It was an old, dark, and musty place, with some parts better avoided at night. The living quarters were astonishingly small, reflecting a time when the department was much smaller.
The station's original two-bay design had been expanded to accommodate more trucks, offices, and a multi-use space, but the living areas were still cramped. The dayroom barely fit a dining table, which had to be pushed aside when not in use, to make room for only five recliners. It wasn’t much, but it was home.
Yet, there was something special about that old station. The tight quarters created a strong bond among the crew. Conflict had to be resolved quickly because there was no space to avoid it. We learned to work together as a team, a lesson that resonated deeply with me. No team is perfect, but this one taught me the value of fitting in, working through challenges, and becoming the firefighter I aspired to be.
My time in that station was brief—just three and a half months—before the department moved to a new, modern facility. I was the last firefighter hired to work in that historic building, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
Looking back, those early years at the Lake Wales Fire Department laid the groundwork for so much of who I’ve become. I was young, full of ambition, and ready to take on whatever life had in store—both the mountain peaks and the valleys. Today, as I prepare sermons, mentor others, and continue to lead my family, I can clearly see how God used that season to shape my character. The lessons I learned and the people I served alongside gave me the foundation I needed to step confidently into my calling.
Wherever you are, Answer the Call.
Thank you for sharing pastor your words are very humbleing.