BRIAN BOWES – The Lord works in Mysterious Ways….

What profession/career are you in?  At this time I am serving as minister at Our Savior Lutheran in Okanogan.  The congregation called me to a one-year contract to provide "pastoral services."  I also work part-time as a high school sports broadcaster for our local radio station as well as providing back-up coverage for the noon and evening news, Open Line - a talk radio format and the Afternoon Show - a taped DJ-type program on their rock station. 

Circumstances that lead me into the program?  Wow!  Where to begin?  About twenty years ago, while serving as congregational vice-chair, my pastor asked me to cover for him while on vacation.  That lead to more opportunities within my congregation.  Somehow the word spread and I was being asked to lead services during vacations and occasionally during vacancies for area LCMS churches - Immanuel - Havillah, Hope - Tonasket, Faith, Oroville, Hope - Brewster, Messiah - Prosser, Concordia - Pullman, Christ Our Redeemer - Sandpoint, Zion - Odessa and Trinity - Republic/Christ Lutheran – Grand Forks, B.C.  Also during this time I served as Treasurer for the Inland Empire Youth Board.  And perhaps most significantly as the director of an area Lutheran Youth Camp - Camp Ortoha, a position that I still hold.  During all these experiences many people were very encouraging towards my work in God's kingdom.  Many offered encouragement towards becoming a Pastor.  I twice went as far as actually beginning the application process, but something always come up that just didn't feel right.  That all change about 6 years ago.  There have been several Pastors that I "credit" with where I am now - Pastor Simon Maier, the first to ask me preach, Pastor Dudley Nolting, from working together on the Inland Empire Youth Board, Pastor Steve Larson - 8 years as camp pastor at Ortoha, Pastor Steve Nickodemus - he knows why, Pastor John Ramsey - my pastor for 14 years, Pastor Kevin Moore, one my mentor/teachers and most importantly, Pastors Chuck Cooley and Vince Larson - both mentor/teachers and dear friends who without their involvement – Lord only knows where I would be.  These two men have been involved in my life the past 6-8 years.  Through their gentle prodding, prayers and counsel, I finally was lead to respond to Lenette Schuldheisz's promptings to enroll in LAP classes.  But this wasn't until she convinced me to speak with Chris Reinke that the "hook" was set.  And that is a somewhat long version as to why I am where I am today.

What I liked best about the courses? For me it was that ability to learn one-on-one with Pastors Cooley, Moore and Larson.  For me, being able to take the courses that way, heightened the experience and depth of learning in ways that on-line courses could never do for me.

Most beneficial learning...?  although having a solid background in Scripture and Biblical and Church History is extremely important, for the ministry that I was wanting to prepare for, it's all about relationships.  And for that, I am truly indebted to the aforementioned Pastors and the way that the Lord used them at the most opportune moments in my faith development.

How is God using me know?  I am providing pastoral ministry for my congregation - pulpit serves, teaching ministries etc.  I sill serve as camp director for Camp Ortoha which enables me to bring Christ's message to many of the areas marginally churched and pre-churched.  I perform several weddings each year - providing pre-marriage counseling to couples wanting to establish a God presence in their marriage.  Because of my years of living in the community where I serve and many years of involvement - the Lord is presenting opportunities and challenges daily to bring about ministry.

I am blessed - perhaps no more/no less than any other - but I feel very fortunate to have had the experiences with all the aforementioned pastors, congregations, camp planning board, campers and staff, my parents and most importantly, besides my faith relationship - my greatest earthly blessing is my helpmate, my partner in ministry and life - my best friend and companion - my wife, Jayne.  I am not the person I've become and continue to be without her. 

 Brian Bowes, Licensed Deacon

Have you felt the Spirit’s nudge?

by

Lou Bauer, Licensed Deacon

How does the Holy Spirit move in our lives?  It’s probably different for each one of us.  As I look back, I was being led by the Spirit to apply for admission to Concordia Seminary in Springfield in 1957.  When I received their acceptance letter, however, I resisted the Spirit’s call by changing my vocational plans and not attending the seminary.  Throughout my life as a higher education administrator, the Spirit was still with me, but was not pushing me toward the ministry.  I retired from higher education in 1996 and was again being nudged by the Spirit to enter LAP to become a Licensed Deacon.  This time the nudge was applied by Rev. Erhart Bauer, an old family friend.  Again, I resisted the call and continued into a quiet retirement. 

I was chosen to be our congregation’s delegate to the 2006 Northwest District Convention.  Somehow during the convention, the Holy Spirit spoke forcefully to me about listening to His call to begin LAP.  I began the program that fall and in March of the next year, just after celebrating my 70^th birthday, I was commissioned a Licensed Deacon at my home congregation, Pilgrim, Beaverton, Oregon.  Since I had begun the program in the fall of 2006, Pilgrim asked me to begin the work of Visitation Pastor in their midst. 

Today, I continue to serve as the Visitation Pastor to over 20 congregation members that generally are not able to attend regular church services because of illness or infirmities of age.  It is a blessing for me to bring the Good News of Salvation to those that are not able to attend Sunday Church services.  Each one of them needs to hear those wonderful words, “Jesus loves you and died for your sins,” and receive the nourishment provided each of us in His Holy Supper.  I have also been blessed by the opportunity to be present with fellow Christians as they “breathe their last” and open their eyes and behold Jesus.  

Besides visiting our shut-ins, I do supply preaching at neighboring congregations and preach at least once a month at Pilgrim and assist there on other Sundays.  Other opportunities for me to serve include teaching adult confirmation class, Bible classes; officiating at committal, memorial services and an occasional wedding.  I assist the Pastor, who is my supervisor, in any other ways, as he directs.  These are not just activities as listed in a job description, but rather I view them as marvelous opportunities for me to help lead others to know and learn of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master. What better way could one spend their retirement than in His service.  

Perhaps you should examine your life to see how the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding you.  Is He nudging you to work in His Kingdom as a Licensed Deacon?  I urge you to join me as there are many opportunities to serve the Lord and the “fields are white” just waiting for workers.  Glory to God alone.