Montana, June 1-4

On June 1, after a wonderful lunch with synod staff and area church leaders in Great Falls, I made my way into and across the mountains to Kalispell and Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.

Now, those of you who have visited Glacier National Park or the area around Flathead Lake know what I mean when I say the scenery is breathtaking. And for those of you who have not visited, envision snowcapped mountains, forests of evergreens, mountain streams, glacial lakes, pristine country! But I have to tell you, there was something I found that came very close to outshining that beauty and that was the summer staff at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.

I spent three days with this staff and was impressed. They are a mature, kind, talented, caring and fun group of individuals. They welcomed me into their midst and truly made me feel a part of them. I can’t express enough my gratitude for their graciousness toward me, and I tickle with delight when I think of the other guests, especially the children they will welcome in such a way this summer.

Again I had a formal opportunity to speak with the staff about vocation, call, discernment, seminary study and Luther seminary in particular. But I also had many individual conversations with staff members as well, two of whom have already applied to Luther Seminary and a number of others who are giving it serious consideration as they discern their vocational calling.

Though I would have loved to see this entire staff studying at seminary, I have no doubt that whatever they find themselves doing vocationally it will be to the glory of God, and that wherever they are, the church will be blessed because of it.

My sincere thanks to executive director, Rev. Gary Cockrell, camp director Brad Abbott, and program directors Brook and Eric Ells for this opportunity to be among them and the staff; it was a joy.