3340 Jahre im Dienst Gottes
If you add up the years that the 2022 jubilarians of the St. Chrischona Theological Seminary (tsc) have served since their commission, the total is 3,340. At the jubilarian celebration on October 18, they shared hopeful stories from these years. The tenor of these stories was: It is not people who accomplish God’s work—it is God who accomplishes it through people.
René Winkler, who heads the alumni program at tsc, explained the idea behind the anniversary celebration with the concept of a «storytelling community.» The idea is to share life under the motto «Crisis Proof» in order to relieve stress and encourage one another. René Winkler interviewed eight celebrants from different graduating classes, each with a different life path.
How mission works
They gave very personal and authentic accounts of their lives. For example, Hans-Hermann Heldberg, who, after graduating from the tsc in 1982, worked for many years as a missionary in East Asia and later became regional director for Northern Germany ofOMF GermanyHe explained that his understanding of mission has changed over the years. Immediately after completing his TSC studies, he thought, «Now I have the tools I can use to do mission.» Over time, however, he realized that mission doesn’t work that way and that he must instead make himself completely available to God. «It’s not doing mission, it’s being mission,» says Hans-Hermann Heldberg.
Gratitude makes you crisis-proof
Sister Hanni Bundrück, who celebrated her 60th graduation and has experienced many different positions in ministry, recognized gratitude as the key to a crisis-proof ministry. For example, she was the director of a retirement and nursing home and a nursing school. Two Bible verses gave her courage in all the changes: «Be strong and courageous, and wait for the Lord!» (Psalm 27:14) and «My face shall go before you; I will guide you.» (Exodus 33:14).
Wrestling with the understanding of service
The celebrants used the celebration to share moments in their lives when heaven touched earth and something divine became tangible. TSC graduate, coach, and pastor Reini Kiener spoke about his struggle with his personal «evangelical atheism»—that is, an understanding of ministry that focuses on one’s own performance rather than on God. «God wants to show me who I am and what I can do through him,» Reini Kiener recognized. This attitude has enabled him to mature spiritually and emotionally.
“I’m counting on the hope factor!”
Erna Abry, who graduated from the Bible School for Women in 1982, shared an impressive and exciting account of her ministry among prostitutes in the Zurich Oberland. She recounted how she had accompanied a woman from the red-light district over an extended period. Among other things, this woman was healed of pain and finally found the courage to leave the scene. After many difficulties, she succeeded, and her interest in faith grew. Erna Abry’s conclusion: «I count on the factor of hope and on the fact that Jesus says that his word will not return void.»
René Winkler (in the photo on the left) asks those celebrating their anniversary what made them crisis-proof.
Sister Hanni Bundrück reported on her 60 years of service at the 2022 anniversary celebration.
«Through all the transfers I’ve experienced, I knew that God’s presence was with me, leading the way, and paving the way for me. I didn’t know whether I wanted to be a nurse or a teacher—and God gave me both.»
Sister Hanni Bundrück, graduate of the Bible School for Women in 1962
Around 150 alumni and their families accepted the tsc’s invitation to the anniversary celebration on October 18, 2022.
About the Alumni Anniversary Meeting
- The alumni anniversary reunion of St. Chrischona Theological Seminary takes place every year in mid-October. The program includes the anniversary celebration, a celebratory meal, a class reunion, information from the TSC, and a church service with the study community.
- All graduates of the St. Chrischona Theological Seminary or the former Preachers‘ Seminary and Bible School for Women, whose mission dates back 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 65 years, are invited.