David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Pentecost

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church. It is the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on various people in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. People from places all around the Mediterranean Sea heard the Good News of God in their own language. Three thousand people were converted, baptized, and added to the church on that day. Yesterday Diane and I experienced our own Pentecost at the the Lutheran Intercity Network Coalition (LINC) mission celebration at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston.

The initial processional of the flags represented the 30 national people groups gathered for the celebration. That’s right: Pastors and people from 30 different nationalities serve under the umbrella of  LINC. Diane carried the USA placard which followed the Christian flag. One ethnic group after another followed. It was so very powerful because all were present to worship Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. We sang in Spanish and English, heard Korean music, listened to Scripture and prayers in Hindi, Ethiopian, Spanish, Chinese, and English. The sermon was delivered by Pastor David Kim who spoke in English and Spanish to the more than 300 people present.

Pastor Mark Junkans shared at the beginning a profoundly important truth: We are so honored to serve Christ together. We are so blessed to see His work in these churches and through these missionaries. It is a time to celebrate God’s work through his people in Houston and throughout the world. All glory and honor went to God.

Pastor Kim shared some startling statistics about the mission of God and the opportunities and challenges before us. Two that spoke deeply to me are:

The United States is now the third largest mission field in the world; only 18% of USA residents attend worship on any given Sunday. 18%!

Africa has the most natural resources in its land mass but because of war, corruption, and famine is in greatest need.

We saw and experienced Acts 1:8 last night:

[Jesus says,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We had a foretaste of the feast to come described in Revelation 7:9-10 at the LINC Mission Celebration:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Thanks be to God for this wonderful experience and for the spread of the Gospel to peoples of every tribe, language, people and tongue!

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