Lifelong Lutheran: The Rev. Mark A. Boettcher has been dedicated to his cause from an early age

The Rev. Mark A. Boettcher of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jackson has been dedicated to his cause from an early age. Boettcher began participating in Sunday school when he turned 3 years old. He attended Lutheran Day School from grades four to eight and always participated in the children's choir. Once Boettcher turned 25, he accepted the call to ministry. He said that his church is special because he has a smaller congregation and they get to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the country.

How long have you been involved with a church? I have been a member of a Lutheran congregation all my life. I attended a public school during the high school years, but during the remainder of my secondary education I have attended Lutheran schools.

How long have you been a member of the Lutheran faith? I have been a member of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod since my baptism about three weeks after I was born.

What drew you to serve the church in a leadership role? Foremost, I believe the Holy Spirit guided me to this calling. My father is also a Lutheran pastor, who incidentally is living in Cape Girardeau in retirement. So it seemed natural to be interested in church work and become a pastor.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor? I received a bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College (now University) in Ann Arbor, Mich., majoring in biblical Greek and minoring in biblical Hebrew and religion. I spent three years of classroom study at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and served a year of vicarage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island, Neb. Upon completing these studies, I received a master of divinity degree. About four and a half years ago, I also completed a unit of clinical pastoral education.

How many years have you served as a pastor? 28. July marked the 25th anniversary of my ordination into the pastoral ministry.

When did you become the pastor at Immanuel Lutheran? I was installed as pastor of Immanuel in May 2002.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to Cape Girardeau? I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and lived there for about seven and a half years. The rest of my childhood was spent in Indiana. My first call as a parish pastor was to Grace Lutheran Church in Aurora, Mo., where I served for about 16 and 2/3 years. I moved to the community of Tilsit when I accepted the call to become the pastor of Immanuel.

What's your favorite verse and why? I feel it is always hard to identify one verse as a favorite, since God has given us many wonderful words and promises in his word -- the Bible. Matthew 6:33 is special to me, because my father selected it as my confirmation verse: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." When we focus upon the things important to God, He will supply our other needs.

What program have you done with Immanuel Lutheran that you are proud of and why? I have introduced the LifeLight Bible Study -- a more intensive study, which requires preparation by all participants in advance of the class but is enriching and rewarding. I have also helped to add a Christian Outreach and Care Committee in our congregation. This committee formed a phone prayer chain, conducted a canvass of our community and hosts baby and wedding showers.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? Our congregation will have a kettle beef and chicken-and-dumpling church supper Sept. 26. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a special mission opportunity of our denomination in the Bootheel. The Lutheran Mission Partnership of Southeast Missouri involves congregations in Doniphan, Mo., Kennett, Mo., and Malden, Mo., who are served by one pastor. We will also observe Mission Festival Sunday on Nov. 21 during the worship service at 8:45 a.m. The Rev. John Fehrmann, who is associated with the Confessional Lutheran Education Foundation, will be the guest speaker. He will also share a presentation during the adult Bible class at 10 a.m. A "pot blessed" dinner will be served at 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. During the service we have an interesting custom -- we gather two offerings. The first offering is designated to support the general mission work of the Missouri District and The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod. The second offering is designated for a specific mission -- in this case, the Confessional Lutheran Education Foundation.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? I do not have a favorite day of the week. I appreciate them all because each day has its own opportunities and challenges.

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? I enjoy preparing and conducting worship services, teaching Bible Classes and visiting with people.

What hobbies do you have? I enjoy spending time with my wife, Amee, and three children -- Faith, Grace and Paul. I used to enjoy model trains and stamp collecting, but with the addition of a family -- I have only been married 10 years -- I have not had much time for these activities. As a family we enjoy traveling. This summer the children were able to complete the Junior Ranger Program at six of our nation's National Parks and Monuments. In our travel we also try to tour the capitol buildings in the states we visit and the legislative buildings in the Canadian provinces we visit. We have seen all but one of the provincial legislative buildings.

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? I spend two days a week serving as a chaplain for Lutheran Home Hospice. I am also a member of the advisory board for Lutheran Family and Children's Services office in Cape Girardeau.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). This passage served as the theme for the wedding of my wife and me 10 years ago on July 2. This passage reminds us that the Lord is in control, and this truth gives us good reason to rejoice.