Fulfilling a destiny: The Rev. David V. Dissen involved in church since birth

The Rev. David V. Dissen of University Lutheran Chapel of Hope has been involved with a church since birth. He credited his father, a pastor, who Dissen said served as a marvelous role model for him. Dissen said that ultimately the Holy Spirit is what guided and directed him into ministry. For 51 years he has been walking in his calling and said he cherishes the opportunity to reach out to college age students to help them understand that God offers a free gift of forgiveness for their sins and that they can reach out to God today.

How long have you been involved with a church? Ever since my baptism in the name of the Triune God -- father, son and Holy Spirit -- as an infant in Garrison, N.D.

How long have you been a member of your faith? Since my baptism.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor? I attended a junior college for two years and then attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis for four years. Studies included German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Also exegetical, systematic, historical and practical theology, as well as homiletics.

When did you become the pastor at Lutheran Chapel of Hope? In the year 2000 when the Campus Ministry Board asked me to serve as campus coordinator or interim pastor after I had retired from my full time ministry at Trinity Lutheran in Cape Girardeau.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to Cape Girardeau area? I was born in Garrison, N.D. I moved to Cape Girardeau in 1981 when I was called to be the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape.

Were you involved with Lutheran Chapel of Hope before becoming the pastor? I helped out in various ways during my ministry at Trinity Lutheran.

What do you think makes this church special? Chapel of Hope is special because its ministry of word and sacraments helps to keep college students connected to Jesus Christ during a critical time in their lives when their Christian faith is being challenged and undermined in many different ways both on and off campus. It is essential that these students do not abandon their faith in Jesus Christ for the foolish, empty ways of this sin-perishing world and thus lose God's free gift of forgiveness of sins, life and eternal salvation that Jesus Christ has won for all sinners.

What's your favorite verse and why? Revelations 2:10b, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life." This was my confirmation verse. It teaches that God rewards faithfulness to him and loyalty to Jesus Christ -- even in the face of trials and persecution -- with the crown of eternal life. This crown of eternal life is not a reward of any personal merit. It is God's free gift to us sinners that Jesus Christ has earned and won for us by living a holy life for us, by offering His holy life into death on the cross as the full, free and final payment for all our sins, and by rising from the dead to assure us that God the Father accepted his sacrifice for our sins and that all who believe in him are forgiven and will rise to eternal life in heaven.

What program have you done with Lutheran Chapel of Hope that you are proud of and why? I am most thankful that God continues to use me at my age to bring the message of law/gospel and sin/grace to fellow sinners like me so that fellow sinners are made wise unto salvation which is by faith in Jesus Christ. I have especially enjoyed the opportunities that I have had to minister God's word to foreign students at Southeast.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? We will have a table display again on move-in day at Southeast on Aug. 19 in which we will share information about our ministry with incoming students.

What is your favorite day of the week and why? Obviously Sunday, because this day gives the students and me the opportunity to receive from God his gift of forgiveness, life and salvation that he offers to us in his Word and in Holy Communion. In reality, every day is special since the Lord opens new doors every day to minister to people in so many different and at times, unexpected ways.

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? Ministering the healing power of God's word to sinners in need, assuring them that God will never leave nor forsake us but will always provide for us in the right way at the right time.

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? I serve at Saxony Lutheran High School on the Board of Regents and on their Executive Board, serve on the Board of Regents at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and serve as the chaplain for the Cape fire and police departments.

Do you have a favorite prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? Philippians 4:19, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."