Transition for LAMP missionary “a time for both joy and sadness”

Rev. Heide’s installation as LAMP missionary.

WARMAN, Saskatchewan – A new chapter began with tears of both joy and sadness as the congregational leaders of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Warman, Saskatchewan blessed and sent their pastor of 18 years into the mission field. Rev. Randy Heide will serve with the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP) in Northwest Ontario.

“It certainly is difficult to leave after 18 years,” explained Rev. Heide, noting that for his family, “Warman truly was home. The roots established there enabled our boys to have a stable place to grow up and be given a foundation of faith and community.”

He continued: “When our family considered this change of focus for ministry, they were able to see my excitement for the opportunity to help congregations all across our country and the United States to look outside of their own communities and seek the amazing opportunity to serve— to serve God’s people in remote northern communities in Canada who are calling for the Gospel message, and to give the gift of time to share the peace and love of Jesus Christ from their hearts.”

The service of sending at the Warman congregation was a time for praising the Lord in song, Scripture, and preaching. Blessings were shared by Revs. Rob Grout (Saskatoon Circuit Counsellor), Murray Keith (St. Paul’s, Saskatoon), Rod Parker (Vacancy/Grace, Saskatoon), and David Haberstock (Central Regional Pastor), along with sending blessings offered by Gord Martens (Elder, St. John’s), Albert Spaerman (Elder, St. John’s), Jason Schmiedge (Chairman, St. John’s), and Ron Ludke (Executive Director, LAMP).

Over the winter, Rev. Randy Heide will transition into his new role with LAMP alongside Rev. Dennis Ouelette, who is retiring in February 2020. Time will be spent handing over the mantle, as Rev. Heide is introduced to both the communities he will serve and the volunteer sending congregations he will serve alongside. Together, Revs. Heide and Ouellette will prepare for next summer’s Vacation Bible Schools in the northern Ontario communities served by LAMP by visiting some of the remote communities and meeting with local Christians and key community leaders.

If you would like to have Rev. Randy Heide visit your congregation and share more about the work LAMP is doing in Northern Canada, please email randy@lampministry.org or call 1-800-307-4036 ext. 711. If you want to have an impact by becoming a volunteer or supporter of this ministry, please visit LAMP’s website at www.lampministry.org.

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