Created for Calling: Kristopher Dulay’s Story

Do you know what it’s like to feel you don’t have a choice? Have you ever felt trapped, as if you had to make certain choices based on expectations? Kristopher Dulay has. He first experienced same-sex attraction at the age of 13 and felt he lacked options. 

Because of his Christian upbringing,  he also bore the enormous weight of conflict between what he had been taught was acceptable and his feelings that wouldn’t be prayed away.

This cycle of philosophical problems led to Kristopher making destructive choices, including walking away from God and the Church. He found himself in an endless cycle of unfulfilling, joyless relationships, culminating in a dark time. 

“I didn’t want to die, but if I simply ceased to exist, I would have been okay with that,” said Kristopher.

In this period, he received an invitation to church. Though intending to pass, he said yes. He arrived at Woodside Bible Church on Palm Sunday, and he would have left if not for a greeter’s exuberant and timely friendliness. For the first time in decades, Kristopher found himself in a church service, experiencing a glimmer of hope. Seeing people genuinely worship God, Kristopher was introduced to a new emotion: fear. 

Once Kristopher found what he didn’t know he was missing, he wondered if his discovery could be taken away. He didn’t want to lose his newfound hope in Christ, so he spent six months exploring who Jesus is and what He created him for.

Kristopher was encouraged to read 1 John 1:1-4, but he mistakenly read the first four chapters of the Gospel of John instead. When he read the transformative story of the Samaritan woman at the well — a woman accustomed to being ostracized by the Church — his hope gave birth to a call.

In his journey of struggling with sexual identity and feeling ostracized by the Church, Kristopher realized there were others like him who needed to hear the unfiltered truth. Wanting to ensure the Gospel was not compromised, Kristopher began to look for formal training in theology and ministry. Through the counsel of Kevin Pobursky, pastor at Woodside Bible Church and former Deploy student, Kristopher discovered Grace Theological Seminary.

Pobursky’s guiding role fit perfectly in the scope of Deploy, a GTS program built on the premise of having a mentor and learning ministry by serving in a local church. This community aspect provided Kristopher with a network to help him grow in his faith. He found that he thrived learning through in-person conversations as he worked through Deploy’s Master of Arts in Local Church Ministry working competencies. 

He cites several professors, classes, and books as how he has learned more about God, more about himself, and ultimately, more about his calling. Working as a paid resident at Woodside with a focus on recovery ministries, Kristopher is learning how to help others while progressing in his own journey. 

Now he sees many options for his future. His experience at Deploy has revealed a strong interest in soul care and spiritual formation, which means a doctoral program may be in his future. (Luckily for him, Grace offers those as well.)

At Grace Theological Seminary, we believe you were created for more. More community, more connection, and more opportunities for the Gospel to live in and through you. No matter your past, we can help you discover what “more” looks like in your future. 

Learn more about Deploy and the variety of programs and delivery options we offer.