My assignment was to write an article answering, “What is it like for a group of Christians to welcome one of the seminary’s new graduates?”

Members of this southern congregation, however, saw the word “welcome” in that question and panicked a bit: “Oh no! Did we provide enough dinners? Did we ask our new arrivals if they needed anything? Should we have offered to babysit?”

Truthfully, Living Hope Lutheran Church in Midlothian, Virginia welcomed Pastor Alex Lindemann and his family with great excitement. Congregation, family, and friends gathered for ordination and installation. There were beautiful words, music, flowers, and a reception. Deserving special mention was the melt-in-your-mouth meat (yes, that’s literal meat, not spiritual) prepared by Living Hope’s own grill master.

Yet Pastor Lindemann outdid our southern hospitality tenfold. Having the benefit of watching many experienced pastors before him, he lovingly insisted on visits with every household of the congregation. What a cool idea! Instead of waiting for us to gather the nerve to invite, he came to our homes. That demonstration of love and confidence warmed our hearts!

Starting day one, Pastor Lindemann, his wife Rachel, and young children Ellie and Leo put in the caring work of making themselves comfortable members of the congregation. They put us at ease. They served us.

So, how do we respond to the privilege of enjoying one of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s finest? We are fall-on-our-face thankful. We remember God’s deep care and love for us sinners in calling workers to shepherd us.

A related digression. Thirty years ago, I was one of the many reasons WELS plants missions throughout the world. From infancy I attended church weekly. Religion class was five days a week through grade school. Yet at thirty-two years old I truly had no idea what Jesus had done for me. I truly did not know who Jesus was. And then, a young seminarian named Jon Kuske, fresh out of WLS, was sent to Midlothian, Virginia to start a mission church. By God’s hand I found myself in his Bible class.

Most of what he said made no sense to me for numerous weeks. But that young pastor resolutely and lovingly applied God’s Word to my unyielding, unknowing heart. At thirty-two years old I experienced an eternity-changing moment: first not understanding, and the next moment shocked with understanding! My heart changed and became new in Christ.

It is a wonder and a joy to witness God’s craftsmanship as we watch Pastor Lindemann at work. Our thankfulness extends to the many whom God used to prepare him. His seminary professors and his parents were on the front line. But there were also so many that God called to serve in the background, from childhood Sunday school teachers to a special groundskeeper at WLS, and so many more. We humbly thank God for the kaleidoscope of work that lovingly formed our pastor to serve.

We appreciate the precious value of the training that young men out of WLS bring to their new assignments. We remember the cost, paid on the cross, for these seminarians’ hearts, and for our hearts, rooted in Christ! And so we say, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15).

Rita MacDonald is a member of Living Hope, Midlothian, Virginia. Pastor Alex Lindemann, a 2023 graduate of the seminary, was assigned to serve as associate pastor of Living Hope.