40 Day Journey with Our Neighbors in Solidarity
Week 3: First Lutheran African Ministry, Sioux Falls
Written By: Daniel Gayetaye
Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
“…those who live in the land of deep darkness…” It has really been a blessing being a Lutheran and what I’ve come to know now as a Lutheran. I was not born a Lutheran, but through the influence of my late father, I became a Lutheran. My Father, through his life and ministry, served as indigenous semi-baptism pastor before coming to America early 2000, where he made the First Lutheran Church of Sioux Falls his home church. The first thing I got exposed to as Lutheran was Law and Gospel preaching, which was by far different from my orientation which placed emphasis on historical critical approach ( makes it difficult for the hearer to see his/herself as worthy of mercy). But here, sin is named (law) and the promise is proclaimed (Gospel is given) as opposed to making sinners feel condemned in our preaching.
So, I’ve been dwelling in the land of deep darkness, scaring my audience to hell as if there’s no remedy (promise proclaimed). I am glad to now be a proclaimer of the promise at this point. Now I can feel the shining light of the gospel and as a charged minister am giving it appropriately. As the Gospel is given, the light of it bringing people to the baptismal pool.. we’ve had a celebratory time.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for giving us your Son, who’s light of love continues to find those darkest places of our lives. We remain lost without your grace and are reclaimed through the promise through Christ, the King. Amen.
The light that shines:
The ministry of word and sacrament brings us into a new relationship with the Father, and we’re enlightened because of it to enlighten the world around us daily…. we’re living by it.
