Pastor Robert McDonald —
St. Peter’s Lutheran church of Stambaugh, Michigan had submitted a blank Call form to the Call Committee for Graduates, leaving it to the Holy Spirit of God to guide the committee’s choice for its new pastor. The holy lot fell upon graduate Robert McDonald, who subsequently accepted the Call and was installed on June 25, 1995.
The new pastor had gained valuable experience for the Gospel ministry by vicaring in CLC congregations in Coloma, Mich. (1993) and Rapid City, So. Dakota (1994). This informal experience complemented the formal theological training he had received by attending Immanuel Lutheran College (1988-92) and Immanuel Seminary (1992-95).
In fact, Pastor McDonald is a product — thanks to concerned Christian parents — of formal Christian education through most of his early years. He was born October 26, 1969 in Oshkosh, Wis. to James and Fran McDonald. After the family moved to Ripon, he attended kindergarten in the public school there. He then attended 1-2 grade at Faith Lutheran School in Markesan and, after moving, 3-8th grade at Luther Memorial School in Fond du Lac, where he was also confirmed. Robert attended, and was graduated from, high school at Immanuel Lutheran, Eau Claire, in 1987. A short time was spent in the US Army Reserve as well as in the Naumann parsonage in Lynnwood, Wash. before beginning college.
Pastor and Mrs. McDonald were married April 23, 1993. Before becoming the new Mrs. McDonald, Samantha (nee Petersen) took adult instruction classes with Pastors Tiefel and L. W. Schierenbeck in Eau Claire. She also completed a BA degree in political science at UW-Eau Claire in 1995. Son Patrick was born March 20, 1995.
May the Lord Jesus, the Head of His Church, bless the new pastor and family. May He also bless the new “marriage” between shepherd and flock in St. Peter’s, Stambaugh.
Pastor Michael Schierenbeck–
On July 2, 1995 Michael Schierenbeck was ordained and installed as pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bowdle, SD. Pastor Paul Krause officiated at the installation which also involved several area pastors and former Redeemer pastor, Terrel Kesterson, now of Hendersonville, No. Car., and Pastor L. W. Schierenbeck of Eau Claire, Wis. Pastor John Schierenbeck of Winter Haven, Flo. preached the sermon based on the text of Acts 20:28-32: “Take Heed To Yourself and to All the Flock.”
Michael was born on July 8, 1968 to Pastor John Schierenbeck and his wife Sharon in Spokane, Wash. His family lived in Spokane until April of 1980 when his father accepted the call to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of West Columbia, SC. Mike completed Christian grade school in West Columbia and then attended high school at Immanuel Lutheran in Eau Claire.
It was in Eau Claire that Pastor Schierenbeck met his wife, Sara (nee) Brandle, daughter of Pastor Karl and Margaret Brandle. They were married on February 14, 1987. During their marriage the Lord has blessed them with two children, Timothy (7) and Megan (4).
Mike attended the University of South Carolina for two years and then enrolled at Immanuel Lutheran College where he graduated in 1992. He then attended seminary at ILC and graduated in 1995. During those years he had the opportunity to serve two six-week terms in the vicar program. The first was at Messiah Lutheran of Eau Claire, and the second was at Grace Lutheran of Sleepy Eye.
May Jesus, the Redeemer of sinners, bless the union of the new pastor and family with the congregation of precious souls in Bowdle.
Pastor Frank Gantt —
Frank Grant, pastor of St. Paul’s in White River, South Dakota and Peace in Mission, South Dakota was ordained and installed on July 16, 1995. Pastor Gantt’s hometown congregation is Holy Trinity in West Columbia, South Carolina.
Pastor Gannt received much encouragement from his family to enter into the preaching ministry. By the grace of God he knew what he wanted to do with his life from an early age. With that in mind he attended Immanuel, Eau Claire, for four years of high school, four years of college, and three years of seminary.
While in seminary Pastor Gannt vicared in West Columbia under Rev. John Schierenbeck. That was unusual since West Columbia is his hometown. Pastor Gantt’s second year as a vicar was slightly unusual as well, because he ended up being called by the congregations that he served as a vicar. He served under Rev. Paul Naumann.
The Holy Spirit used both of these vicaring opportunities to the benefit of his servant, and to the benefit of the Church. We are confident that the Lord of the Church will bless We pray this new undershepherd of His two little flocks in south central South Dakota.