MINISTRY / A joyful celebration
A Joy-Filled Beginning
In early June at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary where we gathered for our Annual Meeting, I had the unique privilege of installing Pastor Paul as our new Liaison Pastor for 316NOW. The chapel was filled with joy, with smiles and words of encouragement, and a basketful of biblical blessings.
Some of those blessings came from our Board of Directors through Jeff Davis (Executive Team and Vice-Chairman) and Pastor John Backus (Executive Team and Secretary).
All of our Divisional Administrators assembled and voiced their support with bible verses: Pastors Jim Kleist, Bob Balza, Adam Gawel, and James Enderle.
Former Executive Director Jim Aderman joined us and expressed how thankful we are for the skills, knowledge, and experience that Pastor Paul brings to this special position, now expanded to both the mainland and expatriate work.
Jacob, his wife Hannah (who led the music for our service), and their children came to lend their support and to participate in the laying on of hands. Jacob offered Paul his blessing in Chinese, which added that touch of home. As he put his hand on Paul’s head, I couldn’t help but thank the Holy Spirit for their friendship, built on the foundation of Christ as the chief cornerstone. Their families had grown close in a private school dedicated to cultivating the community of faith.
It was Pastor Marcus Birkholz, the originator of Friends of China, who has amassed perhaps the longest history with Paul and the first cohort of pastoral graduates. Sharing both this perspective and the bonds of Christian love, Pastor Birkholz celebrated God’s blessing on so many Chinese brothers and sisters through men like Paul, who are willing to serve.
An Increased Effort
Pastor Bob Balza, Administrator of Grace Bible Institute, preached on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 with the theme, “Two nations, One mission.” Throughout his sermon, Bob drew a cogent comparison between the Apostle named Paul and our Liaison Pastor Paul, demonstrating that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that matters. He uses men like Paul (you pick which one) to be his hands and feet and voice, his messengers of a new covenant created and sustained in Christ alone.
Pastor Balza used an analogy that resonated with the worshipers: “Do you remember the game Red Rover, which was played on thousands of school playgrounds a generation ago? When your opponents sent the requested participant running toward those intertwined hands, it was the objective of everyone to “capture” him and make him part of a new and thriving team. Because of his training, his readiness, his availability, and his spiritual maturity, Paul was clearly sent by God to bless 316NOW’s work.”
Please pray that the gospel joy of his installation service catches on among more and more Chinese brothers and sisters around the world. Let the joy of Jesus and his work flourish among us.