I have a friend who owns his own business. A few years ago, he was wondering out loud, “What could God do through my simple business? What does this have to do with sharing the gospel with my neighbors?”

Gene Veith, in his article “Vocation: The Theology of the Christian Life,” cites the passage and comments, “Thus, God assigns different kinds of life for each Christian and then calls each Christian to that assignment.”

My career journey has been one of continual change and unexpected results that I can only credit to God.

Today, six years into retirement, Steve would say that he still hasn’t gotten much rest. And he’s arrived at this unexpected conclusion: “You can only golf so much!”

Later that day I left for the airport, thinking to myself, and now sharing with you, “Rooted is more than great; it’s special.”

I loved listening to people and speaking into their lives. I loved seeing the Bible brought to life in people. I loved teaching. I loved Jesus and his promise to heal, reconcile, and transform. But I didn’t want to be a pastor. 

With the success of a first school, Gethsemane de Meube, established in a village in Chad, there has been an increasing desire for more schools in other villages. In response, the CLB has started a second school: Gethsemane de N’Djamena-Bousso.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, I want to express our profound gratitude to President Brad Hoganson and “the first lady of Hillcrest,” Traci Hoganson, for their faithful commitment and transformative service to our school.