WITNESS MOMENT
Called Up to Serve In a Wisconsin congregation, a pastor and his people prepare for a year of separation due to a military deployment. BY ME GA N K . ME RT Z
T
for the spiritual needs of more than 700 soldiers. he Rev. Chad Czischke straddles two vastly This is his second long-term deployment, but it’s a different worlds. Most of his time is spent at first in many ways. His two daughters, ages 7 and 11, Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Houlton, are now old enough to realize that he’s gone and won’t Wis., where he prepares sermons, teaches Bible be coming back for some time. It’s also the first time classes, attends church council meetings, visits he’ll return from a deployment to pastor a congregamembers and does all the things that take up a typical tion after a long absence. parish pastor’s time. But one weekend per month, “The toughest conversation is how do we and at various other times throughout the year, come back together and then move forMajor Czischke dons fatigues and serves ward, and what is that going to look alongside an armored battalion of the like? There’s a lot going on in my Minnesota Army National Guard as a head right now, a lot going on in military chaplain. my heart. And I know it’s the Despite the differences same with the church,” he says. between these two contexts, “That’s why I emphasized to “God is there through all move forward in Christ, and of them, no matter what,” Christ will guide and lead us.” Czischke says. “I say, ‘God, Although it’s unusual for a please allow me to be Your congregation to have to plan for instrument of peace during this its pastor to be gone this long, time and to be in the right place “this is part of our congregation’s at the right time to share that love, mission,” says congregathat mercy of what You’ve tional president Becky given us with those who Volovsek. “It’s a way that are in desperate need.’” we can help ensure that In early March, the men and women of our Czischke said goodbye to armed forces have spiritual his family and to the memsupport and are hearing bers of Family of Christ about the love of Jesus.” and left for training and — Rev. Chad Czischke, pastor of Family of Christ Filling both roles is a nearly yearlong deployLutheran Church, Houlton, Wis., pictured above visiting no easy task. It’s hard to ment to Kuwait. During with a fellow soldier in 2015 at Camp Buehring in Kuwait. juggle work, home and milithis time, he and his chaptary obligations, and it’s lain’s assistant will care
“It’s the opportunity to serve people that probably would never step foot in a church.”
12 • LUTHERAN S EN G AG E | S P RI NG / S U MME R 20 2 1
