Three deaconess placements were announced at the end of chapel today. They are (pictured left to right):
Brittany Baumgartner to Chugiak, AK; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (Northwest District)
Rachel Geraci to St. Louis, MO; Lutherans for Life, Nevada, IA (Iowa District West)
Christina Gillet to Wheeler, IL; Lutherans for Life, Nevada, IA (Central Illinois District)
“These days are a source of great joy for us,” Dr. Bushur, Director of Deaconess Formation, said, “as they represent the fruition of the most fundamental mission of this Seminary; namely, to send out servants of Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all.”
These deaconesses will be working with congregations to meet specific needs in their communities. Rachel Geraci (pictured here caring, as she put it, “for the least of these:” aka her daughter on the occasion of her Baptism), for example, has been called as the Mission and Ministry Director at Lutherans for Life. “I help to encourage Lutheran pastors and laypeople alike to start Life Teams and to be ‘Gospel-Motivated Voices For Life’ where God has planted them,” she explained. “By providing resources and tons of encouragement, I strive to equip Lutherans to speak about life issues in the same way God does so in His Word.”
Dr. Bushur concluded his announcement with a call to prayer. “Indeed, the announcement of these placements, as always, must be accompanied by our prayers that our Lord would bless our students, these congregations, institutions, and their pastors as they now together fulfill their service to Christ.”