Serving many roles: The Rev. Delbert Mueller has filled many positions during his years involved in church work

The Rev. Delbert Mueller has been involved in church work since 1975. He said he has served God as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, vacation Bible school teacher, youth camp worker and Sunday school superintendent. He was an assistant pastor for more than 20 years and now serves the Church of Jesus Christ in Jackson as the senior pastor.

How long have you been involved with a church? I was saved in a church in Illinois. I repented and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by Pastor Doyle Randol and was soon filed with the Holy Ghost.

What drew you to serve the church in a leadership role and what did you do to become a pastor? I believe the most important qualification for ministry is being called of God. The spirit spoke to me in an Indiana church service and told me "to feed his sheep," a pastoral calling. I was ordained in 1987, in Gary, Ind., by Bishop James P. Ward, the general overseer of the Church of Jesus Christ headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., as an elder, then in 1988 as a bishop. I believe a minister always has to study and seek God for the needs of the people.

When did you become the pastor at the Church of Jesus Christ? I began serving as temporary pastor to the Church of Jesus Christ in Jackson in 1995. The pastor, Sister Gracie Newell, became ill with cancer. We were in the same organization and had been friends for many years. When she wasn't able to continue with the church, she asked me to take over this local work of God. After God called her home, we continued the work. Then, in 2001, we began work on a new building at our present location.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to Cape Girardeau/Jackson area? I was born in the old Saint Francis Hospital on Good Hope Street. I graduated from Central High School in 1967. I married my high school sweetheart, Jackie, and after almost 43 years we are still together. After living in St Louis for a few years and having served in the military -- Vietnam 1969-1970 -- I was honorably discharged and I moved back to St Louis. We later moved to Florida and then back home to Cape Girardeau.

What do you think makes this church special? We teach what the Apostles taught. In the book of St. John's 17th chapter, Jesus prayed for his disciples but also those who would believe in him because of their words, verse 20. Jesus Christ taught them to carry on his work to preach to the lost and we carry on from them. We have their record in the book of Acts. The church is built on the foundation the apostles taught, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

What's your favorite verse and why? Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." God came in the form of the man, Jesus Christ, to save the lost. He gave us this Scripture as the plan of salvation. Peter, who had the keys, spoke it on the day of Pentecost and that which will save mankind from a lost eternity is my favorite.

What program have you done with the Church of Jesus Christ that you are proud of and why? We participate in visitation programs, we offer home Bible studies to those who want to know more about God. We have had youth camps here and vacation Bible school. We were involved in the Angel Food Ministry for over a year. We offer a van to those who need a ride to church. The [Southeast] Missourian newspaper ran an article on a steeple my wife found on eBay and bought for 99 cents. From that article we received coverage from a story written in a national magazine. We heard from people all over because of that.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? We have monthly fellowship dinners on the first Friday of the month, that are open to all, who want to come. In May we had a fish fry at our church picnic. We are in a fellowship circle with churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. We just celebrated our eighth anniversary service here in this building.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? Every day is special Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? Working with the people and helping where I can. Helping others to reach beyond their own set goals and become all God intends for them to be. Finding ones place in his kingdom will bring great satisfaction to all.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? Knowing I will never be far away from Jesus Christ because he promised us as we work and do his will he is with us. Matthew 28:20 says, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."