We are happy for you to meet
Pastor Ron Baerbock
God is good. One way that the members of Bethel Lutheran in Arcadia and Galesville measure God's goodness is by considering the way the Lord has sent pastors to serve with us. We are especially grateful for the arrival of our newest pastor, Ron Baerbock.
Pastor Baerbock and his wife Karen (pictured here) have been married since 1970 and have served in congregations and mission fields from 1973 to 2015. The Lord directed them from the suburbs of Milwaukee to the Pacific coast of Washington, from islands in the Caribean to villages in both Northern and Southern Mexico. From serving to Coordinate mission field work to helping to produce multi-language outreach material, Pastor Baerbock has enjoyed a wide range of ministry experiences. One great blessing that the Baerbocks bring to us is that they are both fluent in Spanish as well as English.
There is no doubt that Pastor and his wife count their four children and 18 grandchildren among the greatest blessings that the Lord has given to them. Though their children live at some distance from mom and dad - West coast, Milwaukee, and two in Minnesota - the Baerbocks praise God for the faith in Jesus Christ that binds them all together.
Pastor Baerbock, as a previously retired minister, has been called to serve with Bethel in a part-time role for the next two years. This provides Bethel with extra manpower and the Baerbocks with the opportunity to still enjoy some well-earned retirement. Though their time with us is limited, the Lord will not put limits on the message of Christ to bring spiritual blessings to those whom we serve with God's Word.
We are happy for you to meet Pastor and Mrs. Baerbock. We would be happier still for you to know Jesus through our ministry of the Word at Bethel Lutheran.
From Sunday to Sunday, in Arcadia and Galesville, you will find Pastors Cox and Baerbock opening up the Scriptures to all who attend. Come and hear what good news God's Word has for you to know!
Contact Pastor Baerbock by email - rbaerbock2@gmail.com - or phone (715) 299-0786
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"Peace to you!" from
Pastor Jon Cox
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ! It is good to greet all those who visit the Bethel Lutheran Church website. Thank you for your interest. We would be especially glad if what you saw here would lead you to visit us in Galesville or Arcadia.
My wife, Doreen, and I have been married since 1990. We've been at home on the west side of Galesville for nearly six years now. Our neighbors in the Coulee Region are so friendly, hardworkding, and genuine. We are happy to be at home here.
The members of Bethel have really helped us feel like family. This is a special blessing when parents see their children growing and going. God blessed us with five children, ranging in ages from 25 to 15. The experiences of parenting have helped us so much to be able to help others who face the many challenges that can be a part of family life. The goodness of God has certainly carried us through.
Over the last 25 years of ministry, I've been blessed to serve in a wide variety of settings and situations.
Starting out in a small congregation in the heart of Texas, I learned how true it is that people of differing places and cultures still face some of the very same troubles. We all need the Word of God to counsel and direct our lives.
Serving for 14 years in a congregation of over 1,300 members helped me learn a host of skills. Working with people on a one-to-one basis as well as with committees, we found that the good news of Jesus Christ is the one constant power that both motivates us to reach for success and comforts us when faced with failure.
Now after six years in a multi-site congregation of Bethel Arcadia and Galesville, the Lord has shown all the more his ability to be faithful to his beloved people. We can always trust the goodness of God to bless and sustain us.
It is always a blessing to meet new people at church. I would be so happy to help you know Jesus Christ. Take a little time, read about what we believe, then come and see for yourself all the good things that God is doing at Bethel!
Contact Pastor Cox by email - jon.nathan.cox@gmail.com - or phone (608) 582-9998
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Meet our Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Amy Bohme
A “few” years ago, I grew up in Winona, attended high school at Luther High in Onalaska and continued my education at Martin Luther College. After college I taught in Madison, WI, then Yale, MI, on to Beijing, China, back to the states and Cannon Falls, MN. Most recently I was a teacher for St. John's in Red Wing, MN. During those years I taught anywhere from 3 and 4-year old preschool through 8th grade.
I met my husband while teaching in China. Now my husband, Shannon, and I have the joy and challenge of parenting three lovely girls. The oldest is 10, then 8, and our youngest is 6. We recently moved back to Winona, to the home where I spent half my childhood.
I love teaching. Next to my Savior and my family, this is my passion. All ages of children are a blessing and I enjoy them. The love they show because of their faith, shines in them. The understanding they share of this amazing world God gave us, gives me joy. I love watching children learn and grow in their faith, academics, and abilities.
September 2016 is my first year as Bethel Little Lamb Preschool Director and Teacher. I am confident God will bless this new venture for all involved. I pray God blesses each child and family at Bethel Little Lamb Preschool with His love, patience, and joy.
3 Fun Facts About Mrs. Bohme
1: She has climbed the Great Wall of China 6 times.
2: She can hardly wait to have more animals at their new home.
3: She has never tasted a vegetable she did not like.
Contact Mrs. Bohme by email - alrusert@hotmail.com - or phone (651) 212-3964 |
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Faith Related Q and A
I'm wondering what God thinks about abortion. Could you tell us what the 2011NIV says about that in Numbers 5: 21-31, as it's a highly recommended Bible and supported and sold by Northwestern Publishing House?
Numbers 5:21-25 does not in any way sanction abortion. The verses speak of a practice the Israelites could have used in the case of suspected unfaithfulness in marriage. The practice put the determination of guilt or innocence in the hands of the Lord. If the verdict was “guilty,” then there were physical consequences for the woman. Translators have rendered the Hebrew for those consequences in different ways. In the case of the NIV, the content of the footnotes of Numbers 5:22-23 (NIV84) became the text for Numbers 5:22-23 in NIV2011. The meaning appears to be that the consequences of unfaithfulness affected the part of the body involved in both adultery and fertility.
In no way does that section of the Bible authorize or permit abortion. The verses speak of a practice for Old Testament Israel that addressed suspected unfaithfulness. If there were adverse physical consequences for the woman, it was the result of God rendering a “guilty” verdict in the matter.
| How long should a pastor stay in one place? Would 18+ years be considered lengthy? Our sermons are repetitive and our spirituality is stale.
There is no set time or recommended time for a called worker’s length of service in a particular congregation. Studies and surveys that I found indicated that 18 years of service in a congregation is longer than the average.
It goes without saying that there can be blessings and challenges for a pastor to serve many years in the same congregation. Some of the positives are that the pastor knows the membership well, he can become a trusted friend on whom members rely, and he provides steady leadership when there might be regular changes in lay leadership. Some of the challenges are that the pastor can be tempted to become complacent and lax in carrying out the duties and privileges of his call, he might think of the congregation as “my church,” and congregational members might prove the adage that “familiarity breeds contempt.”
“How long should a pastor stay in one place?” Because of the doctrine of the call and the practice we have in our church body, pastors are not able to answer that question on their own. What I mean is that some pastors might be serving for many years in the same congregation because they have not, for many different reasons, received a call that would have them think of serving elsewhere. Or, perhaps they did receive a call to serve elsewhere and they declined the call after prayerful deliberation.
A change in ministry can be good for the called worker and the congregations involved when there are good reasons for that change, but change for the sake of change is ill-advised.
The person who would benefit from comments about sermons is the pastor who preaches them. I encourage you to share your thoughts, comments and concerns with your pastor. And, remember him in your prayers.
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Forward in Christ
Kids and cell phones: What’s right for you?
 Disclosure alert . . . my husband and I are definitely not the poster parents when it comes to cell phones and kids. In fact, I originally declined writing this article because we have made so many mistakes along the way—it’s embarrassing! But if someone had laid it all out when we were having the […]
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Through My Bible In 3 Years - Audio
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WELS Together Newsletter:
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