Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This was my confirmation verse. I asked my dad, my pastor, if that could be the verse spoken over me as I was confirmed in my faith. He said he would think about it, saying it was not a “normal” confirmation verse. In the end, he used it, and I’ve always loved this passage.

From early on, I wanted to be a pastor. When my siblings and I played “church,” I always insisted that I had to be the pastor. I felt called early in life to follow in the footsteps of my father. Hence the request for my confirmation verse.

In High School, I got sidetracked. I was a good student, especially in math. A petroleum engineer in my home congregation hired me to plot oil well production from computer printouts onto logarithmic paper. He used that to extrapolate and predict future production. He was paying me as a high school student a lot of money to sit at a desk. I became interested and decided to pursue petroleum engineering as a career. Being a good student at the top of my class, I got scholarships that enabled me to attend Texas A&M on a free ride.

Everything was great. I enjoyed being an Aggie, and I was making good grades. But God wouldn’t stop pestering me. One day in October as I was studying Calculus in my room, I looked up and saw my Bible on the shelf. I pulled it down and started reading it. I honestly don’t remember what I read that day. But after spending about an hour reading God’s Word, I called my dad and told him I thought I needed to transfer to Concordia in Austin and start studying for the ministry. I transferred in the middle of my freshman year.

We don’t always answer God’s call, or maybe we don’t answer it right away, but it is still there. Go. Make Disciples. Baptize and Teach. Share the message of Jesus, not just with those who already know it, but with those who don’t. That is why the church exists.

Lord, help us find the proper balance between caring for those who are members of the household of faith and reaching out to those dying without you. As we hear that good news again this week, may it fill us and renew us. Make us eager to share this Good News.  Amen.