On February 5, 2023, LifeBridge issued a Divine Call to Rebecca (“Becky”) Jungklaus to serve as a missionary-at-large Deaconess.
On April 26, 2023, at a service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, that Call was realized and ratified through the Church.
On Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 3:00 PM, Deaconess Becky Jungklaus will Commissioned and Installed in this ministry through a Rite at LifeBridge! This will be followed by a reception!
This is a big deal and very exciting!
Becky, who many know as an ASL teacher at LifeBridge and beyond, serves many, though primarily the deaf community all around!
The deaf population is an enormous mission field, with well over 90% of deaf people either not knowing or not believing in Jesus!
Becky is working to change that; teaching and sharing the saving Gospel of Jesus!
You can reach Becky by email at bjungklaus@lifebridgesealy.com.
What is a Deaconess?
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (a theme verse for LCMS Deaconesses.)
Deaconesses are women who serve as professional church workers. They support and assist pastors as they share the Gospel and serve God’s people through works of mercy, spiritual care and teaching the Christian faith. They serve in congregations, on the national and international mission field, and in a variety of other settings and service organizations particularly to women, children and God’s people with special needs.
They are trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the faith.
“Deaconess” comes from the Greek word διάκονος (“diakonos”), meaning “servant.”
Their motto is:
Working in faith
Laboring in love
Remaining steadfast in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Join us for the short service at 3:00 PM and stay for the free reception following!
Some of this information came from the LCMS website here and here.
“You Did For Me”
A summary of the message theme for the occasion.
Church work is not for the faint of heart. It’s not all joy and roses, rainbows and smiles. Ministry is tough.
There is a saying, “ministry would be a lot easier if it weren’t for all the people.”
I would venture to say that 99% of church workers have been hurt deeply by the congregations and people they serve – and 1% of them have just started their ministry.
The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Matthew 25:40
The expectations are high. The no-win situations are numerous. The disappointments with your decisions are often and loud. The lies told to your face (even if they are lying to themselves first) are glaring and constant. And the challenges to keep yourself in the Word is real. You don’t get to worship like others, because you are working. You don’t get fed because you are feeding. You don’t get comforted because you’re comforting. You are encouraged to share but judged if you do. It is lonely and draining.
And in our text we have a passage meant for all Christians but often ‘delegated’ to church workers: feed, give drink, welcome, cloth, visit. Care for those who need it; even if they drain you. Even if they challenge you.
Because here is the reality: serving others is serving Christ!
That helps! Seeing people that may not always act like Jesus, look like Jesus, or live like Jesus are still loved by Jesus and deserve to be served like Jesus!
And when that’s still too difficult to get us through, here’s the kicker: we don’t serve because we want to be counted as the faithful sheep. We do it because He served us: humbly and fully. And He continues to still. Even when we are the difficult ones. When we are the ones attacking and disgracing. When we are acting unloving and uncaring.
We serve because He serves. We love because He loved. Not to gain salvation but because we have salvation and can’t help acting otherwise.
Keep the Servant’s heart. Keep the Servant’s love. Keep the Servant, Jesus – and share Him through your continued service of others!
That’s true for everyone, not just church workers!
Scripture
- Matthew 25:31-46
There are several pictures of the wonderful event here: photos.app.goo.gl/XfnsxkzYKRPdXqzSA
