Sunday May 5th I rose early to make the short drive east to Shreveport. There we celebrated 4 decades of service by Dr. Harold Christensen and 24 years here at St. Stephen as a SAWL. He is professor of economics at Centenary College as well. We gave deep thanks for his pastoral work amongst this congregation. He was told, in 1996, by the ecclesial authorities he would probably close the parish. Well it hasn’t closed but instead is a small but vibrant community here in a place where Lutherans are a very small minority.

Great worship this morning. Then a traditional dinner on the ground Sunday meal. Then a celebration service as well as a liturgy of release for Harold and his spouse Betsy from their ministry here. They will be relocating to Tennessee in retirement to spend time with family. Thank you Harold and Betsy for your ministry to this congregation of NT-NL.

Enjoyed serving with TEEM candidate Joel Hicks who this community has raised up to be their next leader. What a gift to see this community raise up a leader from its midst who is now in our candidacy process working towards ordination.

We are #InMissionTogether and give thanks for all that has been and look forward to the future. #NTNL #SSLCShreveport #InMissionTogether