Coordinator for Vocational Formation

One of the exciting collaborations between PLTS and Luther Seminary, the 2 seminaries that make up the Western Mission Cluster, is a grant from the Lilly Foundation through which we are able to extend a call to a pastor who will serve both Admissions Centers as Coordinator for Vocational Formation. Last week, I was in Minnesota for the final interviews with our top two candidates. What a testimony to the partnership of these two schools, and our shared commitment to ministry in the West, that we are able to do this work together. This person will be a representative of both seminaries, on the staff of both, and deepening the existing connections between PLTS and Luther on the one hand and the camps, campus ministries, and congregations of the west on the other.

While I was there, I was able to join Liza Okan (from Luther) for lunch,
together with her new husband, John (he's taking the picture). We went to this great place, Tavern on Grand, where they specialize in a fish called Walleye (not A Fish Called Wanda). It was pretty good stuff, I must say. In fact, when Premier Gorbachev visited the US, he ate walleye from here! I think that's what brought an end to the Cold War! I also had a great tour of St. Paul, which is a beautiful city.

OH, here's a Minnesota law that may surprise you: One can carry a gun into any place that does not have a sign specificaly prohibiting it. So, what this means is, colleges, stores, restaurants, churches, and even the Tavern on Grand have posted signs like this one:

Well, anyway, there are some shots from Minnesota. Stay tuned for the announcement of the new staff member in our Admissions Center!