Set an Alarm for 10:02

A pastor I knew once told everyone in the congregation to get out their phones and set an alarm for 10:02. The alarm was a reminder to do exactly what Jesus tells his disciples to do when he sends out the seventy-two in Luke 10 verse 2. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Since that day, a notification has gone off on my phone at 10:02pm. And anytime I see that notification, I have prayed just that simple prayer – “Lord, send workers into your harvest field.” More recently, this prayer has become more specific. I have prayed that the Lord would send workers into our harvest fields right here in Springfield and Nixa, MO. I have prayed for our Seminary students. I have prayed that we would receive a candidate from one of the Seminaries.

Answered Prayer!

And now, my prayer has turned to rejoicing – a prayer of thanksgiving – because our God has done just what we have asked. I have prayed for Jack and Savannah Engelder, as Jack is now called to be our Nixa Campus Associate Pastor. The Lord has sent another pastor into our midst at the Nixa campus to proclaim His word to us – so that the reign and rule of God would be multiplied and enhanced in our midst! We rejoice that Jack Engelder will be ordained into Holy Ministry and installed as our pastor on July 5, 2026 at 4pm at the Nixa Campus. Please plan to join us for this momentous occasion, and bring a side or dessert to share.

Let us Embrace the Harvest Worker

In the next verses in Luke Chapter 10, Jesus says that some homes and towns will reject those whom He sends, but others will embrace His harvest workers. His instruction for the disciples for the towns of peace is to “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.” The worker then becomes a blessing to the community, proclaiming the Kingdom of God for the salvation of souls.

May we at Redeemer be a place of peace for our new harvest worker as we welcome His family with open arms! We want to shower the Engelders with cards and gifts in the coming weeks as they arrive into town. A basket is located in both church narthexes for you to bless them with the love of Christ. Consider a gift of a restaurant or grocery store gift card – or cash for your favorite Southwest Missouri activities.

All gifts will be presented to Jack when he arrives in Missouri in late June – or at his installation on July 5th.