On July 9, pastor Hendrix (unexpectedly) received a Divine Call to serve Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI. With this call, he was forced to examine where his skills could be put to the best possible use. You can read his decision below:
To the members of Calvary Lutheran, Ulen & Grace Lutheran, Crookston, MN, and Faith Lutheran, Oregon, WI,
In receiving a divine call to Faith Lutheran, Oregon, WI, I have been given the immensely difficult challenge of determining where the gifts that God has given me can be put to the best possible use. St. Paul, in speaking about the spiritual gifts belonging to each member of the body of Christ, explains that there are differences of gifts and ministries. “But,” he says, “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all,” or as another translation says, “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
As I have prayerfully struggled with this thought, I have been led to the conclusion, for conscience sake and out of love for those I have been called to serve in either place, that the Lord would have me accept the call to Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI. So it is with both joy and sadness that I announce my acceptance of this call.
It is with joy because I am confident in the promises that the Lord gives through His Word to strengthen and equip believers, and I know the Lord will bless my efforts at Faith. I believe that it is at Faith where the skills God has given me can be best used “for the profit of all.” In talking with various leaders in your church, I can sense an earnest desire to reach out with the message of the Gospel in your community. I would be happy to lead your congregation in that endeavor.
At the same time, I am truly saddened to leave the members at Calvary and Grace. In the short time that we have been here, we have developed many friendships at both churches and in both communities. My wife has also found a place in a nearby community teaching. What is more, I also have the promise that the Lord would have continued to bless my efforts here as well. Nevertheless, I still have God’s promise that He will bless the ministry of both congregations in the future.
One of my chief concerns about leaving is an Early Childhood Learning Center project that the members of Grace have been pursuing. But I am confident that the Lord’s will will be done in regards to the Center. To be quite honest, I believe that my skills have been put to good use in the first phase of the project, but that others may have better and more suitable skills than I in future phases of this project. It is not about me or any one person after all, it is about furthering the Gospel.
We have not even had the chance to think about plans in terms of timing, etc. But we will certainly inform everyone involved as our plans solidify.
I have many more thoughts, but cannot bear to tell them now. Please keep all of the saints at Calvary, Grace, and at Faith in your prayers. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this transition.
In the name of Jesus,
Pastor Jeff Hendrix
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