I believe the Holy Spirit was always calling me to be a pastor… the question was… when? I grew up watching my parent’s faithful example and I’d always had a deep love for the church. I’d sensed that ministry was my vocation from an early age on, but I had a yearning to explore other [...]

I was a desperate college freshman in the spring of 1993. The end of the semester was quickly approaching and I hadn’t lined up summer employment. A chance encounter with an acquaintance reminded me that I’d always loved going to Carol Joy Holling Camp when I was younger, and so I applied for a counselor’s [...]

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20) I’m always amazed by the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. Here are four working men going about their everyday lives when Jesus simply says “follow me.” No questions, [...]

I first became aware of my call to ordained ministry while in high school. I went so far as to visit with my pastor and a representative of the seminary in Fremont. But it was as if God was telling me what my future was going to be, and that I should prepare for it, [...]

One Sunday, our pastor, Richard “Dick” Magnuson of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Grand Island, asked my mother if it would be alright if he took me along for his Sunday afternoon visits to the local care homes. He said, “I could sure use Lonna’s help in singing the hymns.” Now in 1965, care homes looked [...]

The call has presented its self in little bursts of surprise and amazement! About 14 years ago I answered my door one afternoon to find my cousin Tim, who I hadn’t seen or spoke to in several years, standing on my doorstep. Now Tim and I had always been close in school, hung out together [...]