Welcome to Immanuel!
...or maybe I should say, Immanuel Has Welcomed Me!
I thoroughly enjoy being Immanuel's pastor :))
Okay. I've only been pastor here since July 2023. Not long, so it's still very fresh.
My first task as pastor is getting to know the heart and soul of Immanuel. Being still and listening with a pastor's ear is the key to learning to who Immanuel is and what God is calling her to do.
Immanuel is descendants of German Evangelical abolitionists.
I love discovering new things and Immanuel is a treasure trove. By far, my favorite discovery is learning the stories of Immanuel's rich German Evangelical heritage that she is built upon. At a recent historical symposium I learned that immigrant German Evangelicals of the mid-1800s were abolitionists, strongly opposing slavery. Their Germanic-motherland had abolished slavery in 1807. Abolition of slavery was an expression of their faith in Jesus Christ that all should be free. As fresh immigrants to Missouri, German Evangelicals would not tolerate the cries that rose from the tremendous sufferings of their enslaved neighbors. They could not stand by and do nothing, but extended grace and kindness to enslaved neighbors, which in turn, caused terrible suffering for the German Evangelicals by local slavers.
Immanuel Remains Determined to Love.
Just like German Evangelicals of long ago, Immanuel's heart of holy love and compassion overflows into our world for all peoples to be redeemed and set free in soul and body. As Immanuel carries this evangelical tradition of love, redemption, justice, and mercy forward into our era, she is listening for the people who still cry out from their sufferings. She cannot stand by and do nothing, but is compelled to partner with God to boldly reach out with love, grace, and kindness. And just as those who have gone before her, she expects sufferings as well.
Today, I see Immanuel partnering with God, responding to the cries…
As educators,
As foster parents,
As caregivers,
As writers,
As food pantry volunteers,
As emergency shelter volunteers,
As caring for those abandoned in death (potter's field ministry),
As anonymous to God's glory.
Gritty Love is Challenging.
Like Immanuel's abolitionist beginnings, it doesn’t always go well. When we work alongside those who are suffering we can expect to suffer with them. This is Jesus's example.
And that’s OK.
This kind of suffering redeems bodies and souls to God's glory.
Where do you see and hear sufferings around you? How is God calling you to respond?
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