Rev. Jared Oldenburg, currently pastor at Light of Life, Covington, Wash., has accepted the call to open a new home mission in Castle Rock, Colo. This is WELS' first new home mission opening since 2008.

Oldenburg, a 2002 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., spent his vicar year serving Lord of Life, Thornton, Colo., as part of the Vicar in Mission Settings program. His assignment following graduation was to establish a new mission in Covington, Wash. Light of Life began worship services in November 2003 and has grown to 90 communicant members, who now support a thriving preschool.

"Things are comfortable for me in Washington," Oldenburg says. "However, Jesus does not call any of us to 'take up our comfort' and follow him. Instead we are called to deny ourselves—and sometimes that means leaving what is comfortable and using the gifts God has given us to expand his kingdom through the gospel."

He adds, "That is exciting—to know we are leaving what we know to meet new people—to become part of a new community and learn their unique culture, to work with fellow believers who too are excited about changing lives with the changeless gospel."

Oldenburg will work with a core group of WELS members in Castle Rock and surrounding areas who are eager to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors. Oldenburg and his wife, Aimee, recently made a trip to Colorado to meet with some of the possible core families and with the district mission board and mission counselor.

After Oldenburg is commissioned for his new call on July 18, he says that his first task will be to earn the respect and trust of the core group so that he can work with them to really understand the culture and become part of the community. After those foundations are laid, the group can begin holding worship services.