A FORMER Renmark man’s passion for speaking words of love and grace earned him the honour of being appointed the first assistant bishop of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCANZ) in the Queensland district recently.
Pastor Ben Hentschke, 36, who was born and raised in Renmark and graduated from Renmark High School in 2002, was called into his new position on Saturday, June 5.
He graduated from the Australian Lutheran College in Adelaide in 2008 and was assigned to the Birdwood Lutheran Church in South Australia.
Five years later, Pastor Ben moved to Ipswich, Queensland, and was the lead pastor at Ipswich Lutheran Church, prior to being elected the first assistant bishop of the LCANZ Queensland District.
Pastor Ben said he felt humbled to be elected in the new role.
“Pastors of the Queensland district discuss who they want to nominate for the role and my name came forward, which was pretty surreal,” he said.
“I grew up Lutheran and attended St John’s Trinity Lutheran Church in Renmark and was heavily involved in youth groups there.
“I’ve always wanted to be a pastor and to come this far and be called for this new role is humbling.”
Pastor Ben said he looks forward to serving the community.
“Not only do I get to oversee other pastors and churches, I’ll be able to oversee schools, colleges, early-learning centres, aged care centres and community services,” he said.
“Often when we think of church we think of the congregation, whereas the Lutheran church in Queensland is more than that.
“In the new role, I’ll be able to use some of my different abilities too, like my business diploma.
“I hold a Diploma of Business in not-for-profit government and with that behind me I can use that to help with the role, especially with the administrative side of things.”
Pastor Ben said being a pastor has allowed him to send positive messages.
“My favourite thing about being a pastor is having the opportunity to speak words of grace and love to a world that is in need of that message,” he said.
“I look forward to working alongside others and spreading that message.”