Father Wilson's Bulletin Article

The Lakeville Faith Community is made up of individuals from many churches in Lakeville and the surrounding area. Its intent is to encourage prayer with and for the people of Lakeville, and includes an annual prayer breakfast, held just recently on May 1. 

 

Near the end of the breakfast, Pastor Paul Marzahn received the microphone from his wife, Pastor Deb Marzahn, who emceed the event. Pastor Paul thanked the attendees and announced that he and Deb were stepping down from their leadership roles at Crossroads Church near Cedar and Dodd. It took me by surprise as Pastor Paul has been the unofficial “dean” of Lakeville clergy since before I arrived in 2008. In all, he has been at Crossroads for 29 years.

 

Pastor Paul was the first of the ecumenical community to greet me when I was new and was quick to point out how valuable praying and sharing activities together was for the community. All Saints, Crossroads, St. John’s Lutheran, and Hosanna have collaborated for Thanksgiving prayer services and common high school prayer services for graduates of Lakeville North and Lakeville South for many years. I was grateful to be welcomed into the community.

He was always complimentary of the All Saints community and has mentioned how grateful he was to Father Tiffany and All Saints for welcoming him to Lakeville when they started their church. We have enjoyed a valuable partnership ever since. 

 

As joyful servants of God, both Pastor Paul and Pastor Deb have been actively engaged in the Lakeville community, faith and otherwise. Deb is one of the chaplain leaders of the Lakeville Police Department, where Deacon Jim Marschall also serves. Pastor Paul has been a clergy member of the Rotary Club, is engaged with schools in the area, and facilitates the Strength Finders program in the high schools.

 

We have occasionally discussed clergy “retirement,” and I thought retirement might be their next step, but that is not the case. After a well-deserved vacation early this summer, both Paul and Deb will return to Lakeville. Deb will share her pastoral gifts in the Police Department, and Paul will take on a new role as the President of the International Ministerial Fellowship, which he has served on the board for several years. He will manage 1600 pastors and 52 missionaries. He describes it as “sort of like a bishop.” It seems like a substantial project for one’s later years.

 

While sad to see the Marzahns stepping down, we are grateful that their new roles keep them in the Lakeville portion of God’s vineyard, and while the partnership will be different, our common service to the Lord continues. If you see Pastor Paul and Pastor Deb in the community, please thank them for their service and wish them well in their new ventures.