Dear family and friends at Shepherd of Life,

As my final week of seminary wraps up, we have the opportunity to celebrate together a lot of changes for me and my family! 4 years of study and work have led to the completion of my Master of Divinity. This weekend we will be in Dubuque, Iowa at Wartburg Theological Seminary celebrating graduation.

My call process has also concluded in this same time! The call that I was a primary candidate for has voted to call me as their next full-time pastor. I will be serving Costal Bend Parish in the Corpus Christi area. It is a two-point partnership of St. John Lutheran in Robstown, TX and St. Mark’s in Corpus Christi, TX. If you ever find yourself in that area for vacation or otherwise, come and join us!

Lutherans in Texas have some deep and interesting ties. This call is no exception for us. Lauren’s great-grandparents helped to found the church in Robstown. Her dad and aunts spent part of their formative years there. We found out this week that Viktor Andersson, the music director at Calvary Lutheran, played as the organist at St. Mark’s in the 1960s for a bit. As we have been considering this call, God’s Spirit has continually pointed out different connections with the place that we are going.

Though all the dates are not finalized yet Lauren, Jonah, Lucas and I will be moving during the Summer so that we can be settled before another school year begins. We will also be holding my ordination here at Shepherd of Life during the Summer as well. At this time, it looks like end of June and first part of July is the timeline for both of these things.

It has been a great joy and blessing to serve in ministry with all of you as long as I have. I will forever be grateful for your investment, trust, and care for my growth as a leader within our church. I look forward to being back to discuss and celebrate this news with you in person on May 21st! I also look forward to the ways in which God’s Spirit will be moving among us as the Body of Christ as we continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ in the world.

Peace be with y’all!

Jonathan Lys