![\"Retire\"](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/0X\/Yf\/0XYfVgTp7cXCQe72XqLwww\/Retire.jpg\")
All were honored for \u201cFaithfully Telling the Story.\u201d<\/p>\nBy Stan Friedman<\/p>\n
NEW BRIGHTON, MN (January 25, 2007) \u2013 The seven men had once knelt together in the Roosevelt High School gymnasium when hands were laid on them during the ordination service as part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
\n
\nThat was in 1956.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, they stood together to have their picture taken during a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of that ordination day. The event at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton also honored two other ministers who have been ordained for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n
All were honored for \u201cFaithfully Telling the Story.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely a mountaintop experience again,\u201d said Earl Johnson. \u201cIt\u2019s like old home week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Members of the 1956 group \u2013 and the wives who they credit with helping them through their ministries – include:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Jim and Alyce Hawkinson
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Earl and Linnea Johnson
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Donald and Betty Krause
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Wes and Harriet Olson
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Don and Dorothy Pearson
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Wally and Lorraine Pratt
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0William and Laura Lou Sandstrom<\/p>\n
Also honored were:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Glen and Jane Wiberg, ordained in 1953
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Robert and Doris Dahl, ordained in 1947<\/p>\n
During interviews with each of the ministers, they told of their joy at being able to celebrate together, expressed surprise at how quickly the years have passed, reflected on the joy of ministry, and explained why they have refused to \u201cretire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been very moving for me,\u201d Wiberg said. \u201cThese are more than just colleagues – they are dearest friends. \u201cWe\u2019ve shared a lot of miles and ministry together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those miles have stretched from the East Coast to the West Coast, to small churches and large churches, to hospitals and nursing homes. Along the way they have ministered to children, senior adults and ages in between.<\/p>\n
Sandstrom, who still attends New Brighton, recently heard a child call out in the lobby, \u201cGrandpa!\u201d Sandstrom turned to look and saw the child running to a man for whom he was once a youth leader.<\/p>\n
In addition to serving established churches, Pearson and Pratt each began several new churches long before there was a Department of Church Growth and Evangelism to help train, guide and even fund the work. Pratt says, however, that the experiences kept ministry fresh for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn new churches, things continually changed and were new every year,\u201d he explained. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t just settle in and be comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ministers all echoed Pratt, who said that throughout his ministry, he was most grateful for \u201cthe challenge of meeting new people and helping people serve the Lord and others.\u201d He added, \u201cIt was a thrill to see!\u201d<\/p>\n
The trip has gone by quickly for the men. \u201cIt goes fast until you think of all that you experienced,\u201d Olson said. \u201cYou can\u2019t envision it when you look forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s surprising that it can be 50 years already,\u201d Pearson said. \u201cGod has been more faithful than we could have ever hoped or imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ministers officially retired years ago, but that has meant little in how they have lived their lives since then. They have continued to serve churches in many capacities, often doing interim ministry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the sense of call to ministry,\u201d explained Johnson. \u201cIt just continues on and on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople sort of shake their head when they learn you are still doing ministry,\u201d Olson said. They say, \u2018you\u2019re supposed to be retired!\u2019 I don\u2019t know what that means; I don\u2019t want to just sit in a rocking chair all of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will not retire,\u201d said an adamant and smiling Krause, who ministers at a hospital. \u201cNot until there is no job for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkinson recently concluded serving as interim at his fifth church since retiring – New Brighton, where he now attends. He says he has continued his ministry for the same reason that has guided him in every church since 1956. \u201cIt\u2019s such a wonderful life to work with text and with people.\u201d<\/p>\n