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Linton native Darrell Anderson was ordained into the ministry Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church in Linton in what is believed to be the church’s first ordination.

“We hope it is the first of many to come,” Pastor Fred Henkelmann, who serves the church, said.

Participating in the Service of Holy Communion, in addition to Rev. Henkelmann, were Bishop Duane Danielson, Bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); Rev. Calvin Oraw of Sydney, Mont.; Rev. Steven Berntson of Atonement Lutheran Church, Jamestown, Rev. Lane Keister of the Hope Reformed Church at Westfield and the Hull Christian Reformed Church; Rev. Todd Olson of Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall, and Rev. Randall Schlect of the ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod.

Anderson graduated from Linton High School in 1991, the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton in 1994, Jamestown College in 2004 and Wartburg Seminary in 2008.

He and his wife, Emily (Ryckman), were married in 1995 and have two children, Levi 9 and Elizabeth 6.

Darrell’s parents are Allen and Lynda Anderson of Parker, Ariz., and Emily is the daughter of Russell and Elaine (Haak) Ryckman of Pollock.

They will serve Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb.

Sermon

Rev. Henkelmann delivered the sermon, directing the theme toward Rev. Anderson—“Don’t forget who you are.”

He noted that Anderson is a husband, father, son, grandson, high school athlete, mechanic, truck driver, sign maker—and also a redeemed sinner.

Rev. Henkelmann joked that when people read in the paper that Anderson was going to be ordained as a pastor, they exclaimed, “Darrell?”

The pastor used the analogy of his mother who set aside dollar bills to be gifts. She would select a certain bill for a particular person’s gift.

“Just as my mother selected and set aside a dollar for the right person, God has selected you and set you aside,” Rev. Henkelmann said, “to be a pastor.”

He continued, “As a pastor, you have no more value than anyone else, but you meet God’s criteria for the ministry. God uses a pastor as an added way to let us know He is thinking of us.”

Rev. Henkelmann said Rev. Anderson will experience joy as he represents God to his congregation, the church and the world.

Ordination

Bishop Danielson conducted the ordination, and prior to the presentation of the stole (yoke), the pastors performed the laying on of hands.

After his ordination, Rev. Anderson spoke briefly to thank everyone for joining him on this special occasion.

“I look forward to this journey” as a pastor, Rev. Anderson said.

At the conclusion of the ordination service, Rev. Anderson was honored with a round of applause.

Other participants in the service were: Music—Rev. Keister, Marilyn Malmedal and the Peace Lutheran Choir; Readers—Myra Renschler, Herbert Grenz and Laura Hirvela, and Ushers—David Erickson, Howard Garnaas, Marvin Heyne and Robert Tschritter.

The Peace Lutheran Church Women served a reception following the service.