Joy in Living Out Vocation

If you ask Concordia alumnus Greg Holz, BA ‘07 about his plans heading into college, he’ll tell you that he wanted to study architecture. He has learned that God had another plan for him; instead of brick and mortar, he’s called to build up people.

With encouragement from his parents, Holz chose to attend Concordia to pursue a church work career as a Director of Christian Education (DCE). Through his coursework, he gained a joyful new perspective and deeper understanding of scripture through theology courses.

During his sophomore year, Holz joined the Concordia Mission Society in order to embark on what he considered at the time to be a “free trip” to Thailand. His positive experience on the mission trip led him to conclude that overseas mission work was his calling.

Once back on CSP’s campus, Holz fully embraced this calling and began seeking opportunities that would lead him towards fulfilling it, including switching to the Director of Christian Outreach (DCO) program. He notes that perhaps his biggest influence did not come directly from theology or ministry classes, but rather from one of his mentors, Dr. Sally Baas, who instilled in him the importance of stepping outside of one’s own culture in order to attract diverse groups of people to ideas that would solve real problems.

After graduation, Holz traveled to Battambang, Cambodia to help serve a local church, and was the first Lutheran missionary sent to the city. Holz’s efforts to help the struggling poor in Battambang included assisting local churches, establishing a soccer program, and forming a youth group. There were trials and tribulations, but his impact on the community was increasingly positive. He was able to joyfully apply his mentor’s advice to draw people together to create solutions while respecting their culture. He felt a strong connection to the new city and its citizens. In fact, he met his future wife on this trip, and decided to put down roots in Battambang.

During Holy Week in 2010, a fellow missionary approached Holz with a group of homeless children. Holz realized God was calling him to help, and guided by the Holy Spirit, he started the organization Crossing Cambodia to serve underprivileged children.

But getting the citizens of Battambang to buy in was no easy feat; his efforts were met by a significant cultural bias against the homeless in Cambodia. Nevertheless, Holz knew that these children needed his help. To fight this bias, Holz worked to provide schooling, shelter, and food to help these children thrive.

One story Holz shared follows the life of a severely underdeveloped, illness-riddled child. Thanks to the tremendous work of the organization, the boy, once touted as a lost cause, made a miraculous recovery. According to Holz, what brings him the most joy is “knowing [that] the kid is alive and living well with Christ.” Personally knowing each of the people Crossing Cambodia serves and their stories of transformation adds to this abiding joy.

More recently, and in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holz now advises Crossing Cambodia stateside. Although he describes the relocation as challenging, he knows that the important work of his organization will continue even as his vocation shifts. He asks that the CSP community keep him and his staff in prayer as they continue their impactful work in Battambang and beyond.

Story: Frank Lien, ‘23

Photos: Greg Holz, BA ‘07