Action verbs are the focus of Wartburg’s mission statement. As students, you are encouraged to get involved, share your gifts, and learn by doing - to such a degree that there are times when it feels like there is too much to do and too little meaning to it.

The Christian life is also about action, but the story of God’s people tells us that the action we are called to be about is not random busyness for the sake of being on the move. Instead, Christian action comes about when we are willing to stop and take time to reflect on who we belong to, who we are, and who we will become as children of God. Christian action always comes out of trust in the depth of God’s love and hope for
God’s future.

The Bible tells us that faith work isn’t busy work and we don’t do it alone. A life of faith is one where we engage in deep reflection, meaningful worship, caring conversations and shared service with others. Rooted in this kind of corporate ‘doing,’ we find firm, common ground on which we can walk together, both on this campus and in the world. In fact, scripture tells us that it is when we search out that common ground of God’s love in shared worship, bible study, and love of neighbor that we can enter each day unafraid to ask and answer questions of meaning and purpose.

In the middle of all the action this year, stop and take time to reflect and grow as you set aside time to be with others to hear God’s word, share in God’s holy meal, hear stories of faith – past and present, and be challenged to offer your days and deed for God’s use.

Pastor Ramona Bouzard

Rev. Larry Trachte
College Pastor
(319 ) 352 - 8217
E-mail Pastor Trachte

Go! Do!

When people think of college they often image students sitting in a library reading books. College today is much, much more than that! Life at Wartburg is bustling with activities--service trips and May Terms abroad, athletics and concerts,
Internships and hands-on research, theater and Homecoming activities, late-night conversations and challenging convocations. Books are still an important part of a college education, but books are only one part of the Wartburg experience.

When people think of church, they often think of a building. And while church buildings(and the Wartburg Chapel) are an important part of the church, the Church of Jesus Christ is much more than a building! The Church is the people of God in action. The Church is Christians "doing/living the Gospel" in God's world (which includes the Wartburg campus), embodying God's love in action and serviceto others.

Jesus calls his disciples and each of us to go--TO GO outside our comfort zones in caring, loving and giving to others and to the world.

Jesus calls his disciples and each of us to do--TO DO love. Love is more than an abstract concept, more than a warm fuzzy feeling. As Jesus himself showed us, love is "emptying ourselves" in reaching out to our neighbor in need, wherever and whomever that neighbor might be!

Let's get on with it! It's the mission Christ calls us to-- Go! Do!

Pastor Larry Trachte (PT)