Here on campus, the trees and spring flowers are bursting into bloom, and the fountain outside the library’s north doors has come back to life again after its cold winter’s rest. The coming of spring reminds us of the new life, the fresh hope, and the beauty of our Lord’s resurrection and His resurrection kingdom.
Every day, I count it a blessing and a privilege to work here on this beautiful campus. Still, as beautiful as spring on our campus can be, “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined” the beauty and splendor of the coming age, when Christ will make all things new. On that note, I hope that many of you will be able to participate in our annual Theological Symposium this coming fall, September 21–22, with the theme: “Whatever is Lovely: The Role of Beauty in Theology and Ministry.”
While spring is blooming around us, the focus of our students this month is not so much on our beautiful campus but rather on “the fields white with harvest” all around the country and even around the world. Call Day is fast approaching, and our concluding students and our prospective vicars are awaiting news about which “field” they will find themselves working in next year. Wherever it is, we rejoice that the Lord Himself will be with them and uphold them.
Perhaps some of them will be coming to your congregation, circuit or district. I am sure you can remember some of the encouragement you received from other church workers when you were a vicar, a deaconess intern or a young pastor. I hope that in the coming months you will take time to reach out to a new vicar, intern, or young pastor or deaconess who has come to your area, encouraging him or her in their work and in the Lord.
For me personally, this year is bringing many changes. I have been called to lead the Seminary as president, a much different role than teaching Hebrew and Old Testament theology classes. My children continue to grow up, with our sixth and youngest child being confirmed this month and joining us at the Lord’s Table, two of our other children are getting married, and our family is selling our home of 11 years and moving back onto campus.
Perhaps you, too, are in the midst of many changes. Life rarely holds still for long. While our circumstances keep changing, the Easter victory of our Lord remains unchanged, His steadfast love for us remains unchanged, and His word and promises remain unchanged. His declaration to the Apostle John echoes on for us as well: “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Rev. 1:17b–18).
May His strength and His victory sustain you, dear friends! And may His mercy be your strength!
Every blessing in Christ,
Dr. Thomas J. Egger, President
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis