Concordia Seminary Comes to the Peace Center

Faculty members Andy Bartelt and mike redeker (on ladder) provide some overdue tree trimming.

What a delight to see the work of the Peace Center first hand and even make a modest contribution to the support of the physical building. The occasion was one of many options within the annual servant event by the new students at Concordia Seminary, part of the orientation week activities. Faculty and staff, residential and distance students, graduate and international students all worked together in completing some repairs and cleaning, both inside and out. And God gave us a nice hot day to offer a little “sweat equity.”

seminary faculty members and students discuss the event with Al and carol buckman

The real joy was learning more about the work of the Center itself. Many of us in the area have long known and supported the ministry of CFNA, but being there along with students whose own background and ministry now engage various ethnic and immigrant mission opportunities brought blessed conversations about reaching out and connecting God’s love and grace and truth to those who are literally seeking to find their way. For some students this is a new experience. For an increasing number, it is further encounter with the realities of the social culture in which the people of God give witness to the rule and reign of God amongst us.

The work of the Center is known to you readers, but the simplicity of the mission model to connect to newcomers, to reach out as a bridge and to engage them toward congregational life was important to hear, and its effectiveness speaks for itself in the impact that the Center is making. We’ll be back, and we pray God’s continued blessing on this important mission work, in Christ’s name.

By Andrew Bartelt Professor of Exegetical Theology Concordia Seminary