When I was in third grade, my pastor, Paul F. Nolting Sr., told me, “You’re going to become a pastor.” I just never questioned it.

-          Pastor Frank Gantt

I had always wanted to be pastor. As long as I can remember. Just like my dad. We used to set up chairs after church in our house, my brothers and I would put T-shirts that were way too big for us and plastic crosses and stand at the front with mom sitting in the "pews" and read the announcements from the back of the bulletin, pretending to be the pastor. 

As I got older, I had other ideas from time to time. I was going to play in the NBA (ha!) then for a little while I thought about going into engineering. But always I just kept coming back to this. What better way could there be to stay in the Word and with Jesus my whole life than to spend my whole in the Word? And what better thing could I do with my life than to tell people about Jesus? 

Plus you know how some people say that everyone was put here in this world to do one thing, like there was just one thing you could do really really well? I don't really think that's necessarily true, but the more time I spent in religion classes the clearer it became that if there were just one thing, this was my thing. 

It's a challenge but a good one! It's never boring! It keeps you in the gospel. 

-          Pastor David Ude

I went to a LES (Lutheran Elementary School) until they closed my 7th grade year.  I then went to the public school, and had planned on continuing at the public high school.  But a friend said that he was going to the "Lutheran High School in Phoenix" (ALA = Arizona Lutheran Academy).  He said "you should try it."  When I mentioned that to my parents, my father 'got real serious' and said "if you want to go there, we will find a way to make it happen."

While there, I made several friends.  Two of them encouraged me to switch to the "Pastor track" (Pre-The).  So Sophomore year, I did.  I found that my voice carries well and that I did not fear speaking in public--both gifts useful for the ministry.  Senior year, those same two friends went to "Focus on the Ministry" (a tour of the college, then in Watertown, WI).  They came back and encouraged me to give it a try.  Picturing a monastery, I asked: "Can you really see me chanting by candlelight and walking around with my hands folded all the time?"  They informed me that it was not at all like that, and they were "normal people" there.  I should give it a try.  So I did.  I knew that my knowledge about God wasn't very strong; so my plan was to go and learn more religion until I failed out of Greek / Hebrew (I struggled with languages), then join the Air Force.  But I didn't fail.  In fact, I discovered how valuable the Gospel was to me, and that others needed to hear it too.  So here I am.

-          Pastor Johnathan Schnose

For me, the ministry was always in the back of my mind because I had family members in the ministry.  I saw their hard work and also their dedication to their families.  I can even remember as a grade-schooler trying to TYPE on a typewriter a sermon on Psalm 23.  (I do not believe I properly divided Law and Gospel.)  As a senior in high school it remained in the back of my mind as a possibility along with other possible career choices.  But as a senior I had a medical event which closed the doors to those other occupation thoughts.  At that time Pastor Tiefel visited me in the hospital and asked me what I was thinking about for college and before I knew it I said “the ministry.”  Over the years, he and several other pastors encouraged me in my pursuit of the ministry.  Though I didn’t excel in my studies, I enjoyed studying the Bible and talking about it.  25 years later, I am thankful for the direction the Lord led my life.  It is an amazingly unique calling where you are involved in the lives of God’s people from “womb to tomb” - from soon after they take their first breath (infant baptism) to sharing the Word of hope as they take their last (like singing the “Nunc Dimmits” to a member as he took his last breath and entered eternal glory).  Like anything that is important, it is hard, but Jesus makes our burdens light.  What an amazing blessing that the Lord would allow me, in spite of all my weaknesses, to be a part of His kingdom work in this way!

-          Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer

For what it is worth--during the time I was in college for pre-theology I was offered an opportunity to enter the business world. The owner of the clothing store at which I worked during the summers and Christmas vacations asked me to consider transferring from Immanuel to USC to pursue a degree in business. He promised to open a second store and make me its manager. It would have been a wonderful opportunity and I could have served many people by providing quality clothing throughout such a career. I enjoyed sales, but kept thinking about Jesus' words in Luke 15:10, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." I thought that if as a pastor I could help bring such joy to the angels even once--what a blessing that would be to the person led to repentance and faith. Later, while in seminary, I had a second offer to enter the business world. The owner of the cold storage facility (they processed fresh frozen salmon) in Ketchikan offered me a position as their chief salesperson in Europe. I would have lived in Copenhagen and serviced their vendors in a variety of places, including London, Paris, and Berlin. It sounded exciting and I could have served people this time with quality food throughout my career. But the same thought came to mind--quality food or the possibility of helping make the angels sing and bringing eternal benefit to even one soul. The end of time is coming--how might we most profitably spend our time?

-          Pastor Paul Nolting

I didn't want to go into the ministry when I was in high school. The reason was that I had seen some of the pressures of the ministry weigh on a particular person and I didn't want that for my future family. What I didn't understand was that different people have different capacities for bearing burdens. 

In college my roommate and friend convinced me that taking Greek was the coolest thing ever. So I tried it. It was very challenging but led to personal discovery in God's Word. This was exciting. After about a semester I began to wonder--is this something that I could do? Did I have the gifts needed to serve as a pastor? And if so, what better way for me to spend my life than teaching God's Word? 

I quit my other major and started preparation for seminary. 

In this, as in so many other areas of my life I have felt like it wasn't so much me making the decision as God pushing me in the right direction. Or to think of it differently, it's like I'm being carried by a big ocean wave--it's a bit scary coming down the face of this huge thing--but it's God's wave. He's controlling this ride, and he will take me where he wants me to be. 

-          Pastor Caleb Schaller

I was baptized and raised in the old ALC (American Lutheran Church, now ELCA).  My father had been troubled by the false teaching in the ALC for some time  When I was 12 years old he took our family out of that church body.  God's Word had become very important to him.  I realized this even more when he took me along on our visits with several pastors of other Lutheran churches in our city.  It became clear to me as a boy that he was looking for a church which was faithful to all the teachings of God's Word.  We finally joined the Wisconsin Synod (WELS).  Later, that church body was also  teaching falsely, and our pastor and congregation left to become members of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC).

 Two years later I was confirmed and my pastor encouraged me to attend high school at Immanuel in Eau Claire with a view toward preparing for the preaching ministry.  I did not take his advice.  In my junior year in the public school,  my grandfather thought I should become a lawyer.  He promised to pay my tuition at Harvard or any college I chose!  "Lawyers earn a good living," he said!   But I was thinking about a career in architecture.  After graduation from high school I was again encouraged by the pastor go to Immanuel.  But I was not willing to give  up the idea of becoming an architect.  After all, architects "earn a good living"!

Near the end of that summer my boss gave me a job painting a fence on his property.   Being alone, I began to think seriously about starting college in three weeks.  I began to feel guilty about using the abilities God had given me to serve myself and "earn a good living" as an architect.  Since Jesus sacrificed so much to pay for my sins and give me eternal life, shouldn't I be willing to serve Him in this life by at least studying for the ministry?   High school German was easy enough. What if my pastor was right and I could also handle Greek and Hebrew?   Within two weeks I was at Immanuel, enrolled in the pre-theology program for just one semester.  After only a month I was

 convinced by the Word of my Savior taught by excellent teachers that I must stay the course and finish preparing for the preaching ministry.

What led me to be serve in the public ministry of the Word?  My father certainly set the best example as a follower of our Savior.  No doubt he was used by the Lord to lead me into the ministry.  Yet dad did not in any way push me into it, or lead me to think that he wanted me to be a pastor.  He was quiet about it.  To his way of thinking, if God wants my son for the ministry, then God will get it done without any words from me.  Dad was so concerned about an improper influence on me, it was only after I had received and accepted my first call into the ministry, that  he told me what the old ALC pastor said after he baptized me:  "I think he will be a pastor."

What the old pastor said became true, but not because he said it!  Looking into the "rear-view-mirror" of my life, it is easy to see how my father, the pastor of my youth, my teachers at Immanuel, and many other of life's details, led me into the  ministry of the Gospel of Christ.  But looking into my heart, deeply and thoughtfully, I know that it was  all about God's gracious giving.

God the Father gave His dear Son in love for the whole world.  Jesus gave up His perfect life on the cross for the whole world of sinners like me.  The Holy Spirit gave me faith in my Savior through Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, His Word to increase and strengthen that faith, joy, peace, and the certain hope of eternal life.  I am and have nothing good except that which my great Savior God has given me by His free grace.  So, long ago He brought me to my heart's conclusion that I could do no less than love Him because He first loved me, no less than preach  and teach the Gospel of His love in the public ministry.  There are many in our self-serving, dying world who would say that the ministry of the Gospel is no way to "earn a GOOD living, but I say:  in pursuing this ministry God gave me the BEST life, and many others too!

-          Pastor Vance Fossum

I guess for me one of the big factors was a faithful pastor who had served in my home congregation for many years.

One Sunday, my family had attended church had taken Holy Communion together. Late that afternoon I was walking home with some friends and we noticed police cars (several) in front of my home. My dad and that pastor met me on the veranda of the house and spoke of how one of my older brothers had drowned about an hour before. He had went with some friends from the church to a lake where the accident happened.

This older brother was one a younger brother looked up to. He was smart, athletic and things were going well for him.

Needless to say in the coming days, weeks and months that pastor was so instrumental in helping me work through this all-through private Bible study, long talks at coffee shops, visits to my parents home and much prayer. In so many ways this man of God pointed me again and again to the love of God in Christ Jesus and I came to know, but I did not always understand, how God our merciful God works and that He does all things out of love for His children.

Some time later a girl I had grown to know and was dating. We had  talked of marriage, family and what have you and she was stricken with cancer and died.  I wish one could say that this time it would be easier, but it wasn’t. Here was a Christian-Lutheran young women with all her life before her and she was gone. Because of our growing relationship and our hopes and dreams I felt (please understand) that I was robbed, and that God was the cause.

Again it was family, good friends, but especially this pastor who with the counsel of God’s Word helped me to again see and know the love of God in Christ Jesus. The days, weeks, months ahead were difficult, but by the grace of God and with the strength that He alone can give life has gone on. I rejoice that one day I will see these two children of God and behold them with our victorious Lord and Savior.

These two incidents directed me in an enormous way to pursue studies for the public ministry, so that I might like that pastor who helped me so much, share, show, convey the love of God in Christ Jesus to people around me.

-          Pastor Doug Priestap

I wanted to be in the military at first. I wanted to be a fighter pilot.  Then I wanted to be a Navy Seal but couldn't swim well enough for that. Then Matthew Hanel and I were going to join the Marines when I was a senior in High School (he was in his last year of college pre-the at that time). I started getting comments about thinking more about the ministry and doing the pastor route. Having been on enough secular college campuses, I didn't feel strong enough in my faith yet to go to one of those. So I started in Pre-The because I wanted to stay in the Christian bubble a little longer, confident the Lord would help my faith grow. It did. And what was at first more of a selfish reason to enter the ministry became a serving reason to entry the ministry. And, the Lord allowed me to play a different role than I expected in His army. Which, by far, is a much cooler army to serve in, in my humble opinion. It's not just about protecting lives. It's about protecting souls by sharing the amazing truths and the grace of Jesus' Word. Try the teaching or preaching ministry program. Or start with the AA program. See where the Lord leads you. It's been quite an adventure for me and my family. 

-          Pastor Neal Radichel

As I was nearing the end of high school at ILC, I wasn't really convicted about becoming a pastor someday. When I began the college pastoral program, though, I was really struck by getting closer to God's Word through the study of the Bible's original languages. The meaning of God's Word became ever clearer by learning to read it in the original. I became more and more convinced that making a career out of sharing that Word of God was His plan for me. Since that time, through ups and downs, through trials and triumphs, the LORD has made good on His promise to be by my side, give strength where it's needed, and forgive my failings. 

Here's the attitude I took on a career choice: God has done everything for me, through His Son Jesus. In spite of my own shortcomings, what's the MOST GOOD that I could hope to do for Him in this life? Christians from every walk of life have many opportunities to serve the LORD who served them first. The public ministry isn't for everyone. For me, though, the answer to the "MOST GOOD" question was this: to prepare to serve full-time as His representative, for a congregation of believers. 

The world around us often tries to convince us that highest goal in life is to "be happy." But if you keep on striving for happiness, you're not likely to find it by trying so hard. Instead of working to be happy, the best plan is to strive to "be useful," to the LORD and to others, because of Jesus. When you do, God Himself will take care of the "happy" part...and He really does! I hope that lots of our young people will find this kind of true happiness in serving our LORD in the preaching or teaching ministry.

-          Pastor Bruce Naumann

When I was about 8 years old I got rheumatic fever (a heart disease) and spent over a month in the hospital. During that time my pastor (David Lau) came to visit me. I was devastated by this illness since I was told I could not play any active, competitive sports for several years maybe longer because of it. As a sports junkie my life was over.

But Pastor Lau's devotions gave me comfort and hope in Jesus.

I had already thought of the ministry since my grandfather and great-grandfather were pastors and two uncles. But I was led to decide I wanted to do what Pastor Lau did for me, bring the Word of God to others and comfort them in their trials and tribulations with the Good News of Jesus.

I vacillated in my plans as I grew up but this desire never left and it was fulfilled as the Lord led me to ILHS and then ILC and then ILS. Ever since I thank God for this disease since it led me to a life of service to Him in the public ministry. "All things work together for good..."

-          Pastor Mark Bernthal

I played "church" as a child, forcing brothers to be my congregation. Well, actually, my Mom probably accomplished that for me. One brother criticized my sermon, "If all you're going to do is read Kretzman, I can do that too." My mom shut him down. And my mom drew the line when I wanted to do Communion and use "wacky wafers" (big sweet tarts which were the rage at the time).

Despite the playing church, the ministry was not on my early mind; in hindsight I think I must have played church because it was such an integral part of our lives, my parents were involved, and the pastor was the "professional" I knew best and had the most contact with.

While growing up my parents were supportive and would offer the idea of called servant and at times suggest I may have the gifts for it. Having my older brother pursuing the pastoral ministry certainly helped keep it in front of me; and the fact that my Mom had been a teacher, also gave that frame work.

I went through a whole range of career ideas, nothing really sticking. In my junior year I decided it was time to apply myself more seriously to the thought of what I'm going to do with my life. It was in my junior year that Prof. Kuehne gave his "What's Good about the Public Ministry" chapels and by the end of my junior year I was pretty well convinced I would come back either for BA or BS. (I did have interest in trying to get into radio, but that idea lost.)

Spring of my Senior year when it was time to register for next year's classes, I met with Prof. Kuehne (academic dean at the time) and explained my indecision of which path to take due to a significant fear in each case. BS fear was having the responsibility of teaching children to read--I love kids, but their literacy relying on me was a little stressful. BA fear was the languages. Prof. Kuehne laughed and said he didn't think I'd have any trouble with the languages and he believed in drilling (yes he did) and I'd be fine. Nonetheless, I began in BS but I took Greek as an elective so that I could switch to BA and not lose time, should that be something I'd want to do later. I came back my freshman year of college, LOVED Greek, had no particular problems with it, and changed to BA when setting up classes for second semester. 

I don't think I ever second-guessed the decision while in school--that was safe, easy, and enjoyable. Over the years -- more so when younger -- there were any number of times when the questions and doubts arise as to whether I'm in the right field, is there something different I should be doing, etc. The solution to each of those instances was "What would you do that would better utilize your gifts?" To date, the answer has been, "nothing" and here we are.

-          Pastor Wayne Eichstadt

I was influenced by retired pastors who came to do guest chapels at Immanuel.  Their joy in the gospel after all those decades was evident and contagious.

I had a good group of friends throughout Immanuel years that encouraged each other toward the public ministry.   Even if not all ended up in the same place it was invaluable to have throughout those years.

Wasn't super good enough or passionate about any one other thing and God didn't close the door on the public ministry.  So far so good.

-          Pastor Michael Gurath

For me, a key verse was "for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."  When you take an honest, objective look at the understanding, conviction, and abilities you've been given - in comparison to how poorly the Gospel is communicated and understood across Christendom today - it comes into focus that He has given you these gifts for use in the pulpit and home visits out of His desire to make His life-giving Word plain and clear.  That honest, objective assessment is not based on your personal opinion.  It will, in fact, most likely disagree with your personal assessment.  God provides you with parents, professors, pastors, peers, and wise members of your home congregations who are shouting at you on His behalf that it might down out your doubts.  Listen to them.

-          Pastor Tim Daub

I was about 11 years old when I knew I wanted to be a pastor, just like my father. I admired him as a faithful pastor and father. Also, on the Gullerud side of the family, my grandfather and two uncles were pastors. My plan was to go to Bethany Lutheran College and Seminary, but we left the ELS before I graduated from public high school. I wonder if my attending public high school was part of the Lord's plan, so that I would not be influenced by Bethany professors and remain in the ELS. 

I went to the University of Massachusetts and majored in wildlife management (sort of like the ministry ), until I learned that a new school had opened in Mankato, MN: Immanuel Lutheran College. I enrolled in the pre-theological department, finding amazing teachers and new friends. As I studied God's Word, my desire to proclaim His Gospel increased and my desire to follow in my father's footsteps faded into the background.  

At one point during my studies, I began to wonder if this is what God wanted me to do. I pondered all the events in my life that led me to that moment. Every step of the way, it seemed as though God was maneuvering my life to bring me to ILC (for preparation and to meet my future wife). I was satisfied that this is what He wanted me to do and that, if I was wrong, He would make it impossible to continue. 

While in the seminary, I was faced with a choice: the CLC or my father. The two were in doctrinal disagreement. When I heard one side and then the other, they both sounded correct to me, but they couldn't be. My own personal study of the Scriptures on this doctrine led me to the conviction that the CLC was correct. So, here I am, training others for the ministry. (My wife, also, is serving the Lord in the administrative office at ILC.)

My final answer is that God led me into the ministry by guiding my footsteps and by filling my heart with His truth.

-          Pastor John Pfeiffer