Westminster’s key verse, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” from
Joshua 24:15 is displayed at the entrance of our home. Our house is now an empty
nest. Our daughter Kristen is a beautician who works in West Des Moines. Our son
Karl is a chiropractor (graduate of Palmer School of Chiropractics in Davenport)
operating clinics in South Haven and Paw Paw, Michigan. Both our children see
their work as ministries by which they can serve the Lord. My wife Cynthia has
worked as a Christian Education Director. She currently is occasionally working as
substitute teacher in public school and serving in the Hospital Auxiliary. Cynthia and
I enjoy going to movies and plays and taking walks. I also find pleasure in biking,
drama, and artwork, primarily drawing and sculpture.
A defining moment in my spiritual journey took place while a student at the University
of Dubuque. I was doing the lighting for a production of the play “No Exit.” Three
people, each with regrettable past mistakes, are locked together in a room forever—
the author’s concept of hell. The play concludes with the line: “If only there was
someone who knew all about me, and yet accepted me. But hell is other people, so
let’s get on with.” In that moment I was struck by the wonder of God’s amazing
grace made know and possible in Jesus Christ. Biblical stories like the Samaritan
woman at the well, the prodigal son, and Peter questioned and affirmed by the risen
Christ took on deep meaning. It affirmed my call to ministry.
I received my seminary training at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. The late 60s
were a time of civil rights and war protests. The power of Christ’s transforming
grace found responsible expression in social justice and peacemaking.
My pastoral ministry has been shared with six congregations in Chariton and Lucas,
IA, Duluth, MN, Battle Creek, IA, Ankeny, IA, and now in Worthington, MN beginning
in June of 2004. The context and responsibilities have varied. I have learned how
the history, composition, size of a congregation and the economic, social, and
political context of a community can influence expectations and possibilities. The
great consistency has been helping make known the joyful and healing presence of
God in some of life’s most significant moments. I find enjoyment in providing
leadership where success is measured by the number of people who understand
God’s call to ministry and are finding ways to live out that call inside the church and
out in the world.
Joshua 24:15 is displayed at the entrance of our home. Our house is now an empty
nest. Our daughter Kristen is a beautician who works in West Des Moines. Our son
Karl is a chiropractor (graduate of Palmer School of Chiropractics in Davenport)
operating clinics in South Haven and Paw Paw, Michigan. Both our children see
their work as ministries by which they can serve the Lord. My wife Cynthia has
worked as a Christian Education Director. She currently is occasionally working as
substitute teacher in public school and serving in the Hospital Auxiliary. Cynthia and
I enjoy going to movies and plays and taking walks. I also find pleasure in biking,
drama, and artwork, primarily drawing and sculpture.
A defining moment in my spiritual journey took place while a student at the University
of Dubuque. I was doing the lighting for a production of the play “No Exit.” Three
people, each with regrettable past mistakes, are locked together in a room forever—
the author’s concept of hell. The play concludes with the line: “If only there was
someone who knew all about me, and yet accepted me. But hell is other people, so
let’s get on with.” In that moment I was struck by the wonder of God’s amazing
grace made know and possible in Jesus Christ. Biblical stories like the Samaritan
woman at the well, the prodigal son, and Peter questioned and affirmed by the risen
Christ took on deep meaning. It affirmed my call to ministry.
I received my seminary training at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. The late 60s
were a time of civil rights and war protests. The power of Christ’s transforming
grace found responsible expression in social justice and peacemaking.
My pastoral ministry has been shared with six congregations in Chariton and Lucas,
IA, Duluth, MN, Battle Creek, IA, Ankeny, IA, and now in Worthington, MN beginning
in June of 2004. The context and responsibilities have varied. I have learned how
the history, composition, size of a congregation and the economic, social, and
political context of a community can influence expectations and possibilities. The
great consistency has been helping make known the joyful and healing presence of
God in some of life’s most significant moments. I find enjoyment in providing
leadership where success is measured by the number of people who understand
God’s call to ministry and are finding ways to live out that call inside the church and
out in the world.
| REV. JAMES W. KRAPF PASTOR |
