(Pastor Hein is one of the graduates from our Immanuel Seminary this
past Spring. The information which follows was gleaned from the
installation bulletin — Ed.)
Born on April 19, 1966, John Paul Hein was soon after baptized and brought into the Kingdom of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was raised on a wheat and barley farm located west of Spokane, Washington, and lived there throughout his childhood. His parents, Paul and Bertie, brought their family of six children (4 boys and 2 girls) to church regularly at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spokane. It is here that John was influenced by Pastor Maynard Witt, both for a love of the Gospel and for a love of the ministry.
Even at an early age John was considering the pastoral minstry. But during the course of his life the Lord guided him to pursue an agricultural engineering degree at Washington State University. He began graduate school upon completion of his degree, but soon obtained a job offer to work for Case International Harvester in Moline, Illinois. While working as an engineer for three years, John commuted to the CLC church in the Chicago area.
The Word of the Lord worked gradually and faithfully in the heart of this young man until he became convinced that he should attend Immanuel College in Eau Claire to pursue the ministry. Being trained at the feet of faithful teachers, John was blessed by his studies and completed his seminary training in May of 1996. Through the Call Committee on Graduates he received a call to serve as pastor at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Red Wing, Minn. He was ordained and installed there on June 23.
At ILC John met his future wife, Janelle Fleischer, daughter of Pastor & Mrs. Daniel Fleischer, Fridley, Minn.). They were married in June 1992. For three school years Janelle and John were dormitory supervisors of the girls’ dorm at ILC. The Lord has blessed them with daughters Christina (May 1993) and Abigail (January 1995).
Indeed, the Lord is faithful. We praise Him for guiding the life of John Hein so that he can be the shepherd at Our Redeemer’s.