Raising Up Leaders for Service

 

“I was working and using my retirement savings to fund my seminary preparation to become a pastor,” said the Rev. Myrta Robles. “The situation was prolonging my education. Finally, I just handed everything over to God.”

That was then...

Now, since August 2007, Robles has served as pastor at Trinidad Lutheran Church, Chicago, thanks to financial support from the ELCA, the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod and her seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Your mission support helps to fund the support that the ELCA provides to raise up leaders like Pastor Robles, who serve in multicultural, rural, inner city or disadvantaged communities and “who by reason of age and prior experience” (ELCA Constitution 7.31.14) are qualified to participate in alternative ordination preparation.

Robles has 30 years of career experience in health care and social ministry, as well as 27 years of participating in Trinidad’s ministry and that of the larger church.

“My congregation was praying for me,” said Robles, “and now I am their pastor!”

Robles and her congregation impact the Humboldt Park neighborhood through ministries such as Trinidad Lutheran Day Care.

“It was a challenge for the congregation and for me to get to this point,” Robles said, “but God has a great sense of humor and we are very happy.”

She added, “I wish this could be the case for all those who want to serve God.”