Hanover Lutheran church installs new Vicar

Hanover Lutheran Church, (yes, the same place as that incredible sausage supper! FYI Nov. 7) has just welcomed a new Vicar. A vicar is kind of like a pastor/intern who assists with worship. This year Hanover Lutheran Church on 2949 Perryville road, is welcoming Nate Wollenberg as their 11th vicar. The excitement is brewing as the congregation heard him preach for the first time this past Sunday. Vicar Wollenberg said "Before going into the ministry, I drove a bus for the physically and mentally challenged. I felt called by the Lord to serve in his church. I am so excited to be here in this congregation in SE Missouri. I cannot believe how awesome the people in this community are!"

Nate was raised a New Englander, born in Terryville, Connecticut. There was an extreme contrast, in culture due to the very small amount of Lutherans per capita compared to Southeast Missouri and even fewer Lutheran Schools. Nate attended Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic high school. He enjoys ML baseball (We pray that he one day, will see the light and start following the Cardinals.) He is an avid brass musician, and has hand penned original Hand bell arrangements found on multiple internet sites including YouTube and Facebook.

Nate heard the call of God many years ago, as he was invited by a pastor to join a mission trip to the Alaskan tundra. He could not understand at the time what the LORD had in store for him. "At first, when I decided to go, I figured it would be simply a free visit to Alaska, and even cooler, the tundra outside of civilization. Little did I know that the Lord had something else incredible in mind."

While he was there, he spent time with the Yup'ik Eskimos in the village of Nunapitchuk, in Western Alaska, proclaiming the gospel to the un-churched and leading a Vacation Bible School for the children of the community.

"It was an amazing experience that changed my life, because I realized that God was calling me into ministry. When I returned home, I immediately began to research how I could serve the Lord as a pastor in His church."

He chose to attend Concordia, Wisconsin and then on to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Theological Languages. During his four years there, he was very involved with a local congregation serving as a worship assistant, youth worker, and janitor. He learned that to be a true Christian, you have to first serve one another as Christ himself served us (John 13)

While at Concordia he met his wife, Katie. Katie is a fabulous cook and homemaker and has her degree in Teaching. They married this past February 27, 2010 in Arnold, MO, at her home church. She is looking to teach in the Cape/Jackson school district this fall.

Hanover is blessed to have this incredible man who's only mission is to try to live out God's own plan in his life: John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

The entire Cape Girardeau community is welcome to attend this weekend Sunday 7:45 and 10am to meet and greet their newest vicar Nate Wollenberg.