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The Eastern North Dakota Synod staff welcomes Rev. Terry Brandt as our new Associate with the Bishop. We invite you to stop by the office to greet Terry. |
Dear Partners in Mission and Ministry,
Today marks my third day of serving as Associate with the Bishop in this wonderful synod. It is with a deep sense of humility, appreciation and joy that I write to you. It is an honor and privilege to join you as we walk together responding to the good news that “Jesus calls us to live in love as we serve, equip and challenge God’s people.” There has been a tune running through my head these last few days. It is a show tune from the 1951 Rogers and Hammerstein musical, The King and I. The tune is, “Getting to Know You.” There is so much I have to get to know in this call; however the most important and enjoyable is getting to know you! These past days of meeting some of the leader’s of the synod have been delightful.
I am fairly confident that there have been a number of you wondering, “Who is the new Associate?” Here are a few of the facts: I was born and raised in Elmore, Minnesota, a small town in the southern part of the state. In 1993 I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall and in 1997 from Luther Seminary. My wife’s name is Kristi. We have three children: Lindsay is 12, Kallie is 9 and Austin is 6. Most recently, I served as one of the pastors at Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont, Minnesota. Currently my wife is a high school principal in Fairmont. We will be doing some creative “family time” in the next few months as Kristi and the kids are living in Fairmont while we seek to sell our home and Kristi looks for employment in this area.
A question that has been asked of me more than once in the past few days is, “How do you know Bishop Rindy?” Well, I first met Bill and his family when he was called to serve my home congregation in Elmore. At the time he served Elmore, I was in seminary. During that time, we not only developed a friendship but realized we had much in common in regards to theological and biblical beliefs and we shared similar visions, hopes and dreams for the church.
The third question being asked might be, “Why Eastern North Dakota Synod?” Great question! My internship was in Crosby, North Dakota in the Western North Dakota Synod. It was that year when my wife and I fell in love with North Dakota! In fact, my top three choices for assignment were Western North Dakota Synod, Eastern North Dakota Synod and Southwest Minnesota. I ended up being assigned to Southwest Minnesota Synod, but am thrilled to have finally made it to God’s country! As I look at the make up of the synod, I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to serve a two-point parish in Alberta, Minnesota, a solo call in Clarkfield, Minnesota and a staff call in Fairmont, Minnesota. These three calls have given me the opportunity to serve in similar settings to the majority of the calls that make up this synod.
So, I look forward to traveling the countryside of the Eastern North Dakota Synod, meeting you and hearing about all of the wonderful ways God is at work in your life and in the life of the community you serve. If you are in the area of the synod office, I would invite you to give me a call and see if I am in the area, I would welcome the opportunity to meet you. For me, that is what this time is all about… “getting to know YOU.”
In Christ,
Rev. Terry Brandt
This article appeared in the August/September 2008 Newslettter.