Alexander Lapochenko on our synod ordained to a Pastor

On 23th Sunday after Holy Trinity, October 2008, our preacher Alexander Lapochenko was ordained to a pastor in St Luke’s Lutheran congregation Arsenyev by bishop Kruse under assistance of archbishop E Ratz and dean M Brockmann in a festive Divine Service. For his service involving great responsibility his dean gave him on his way the word of Jesus: ”You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5,14+15).

A.Lapochenko is working in St Luke’s since 2002, first with interruptions, since January 2005

continually. Since then he is performing the Divine Services and leads together with St Luke’s president J. Slinshenko the congregation. On our synod October 2007 he was confirmed to a preacher. Since September 2003 he has visited the theological courses at our seminary in Novosaratovka, and he finished these studies with a written work and an oral examination, mark “good”.

Alexander Lapochenko is well known to us all. He always showed a solid theological culture and knowledge, and he always proved to be a good preacher of the simple and pure Word of God and the “sound doctrine” (2.Timothy 4,3) . He has overcome his weak points (in pastoral care, administration, coming along with and leading people); his inner and outer congregation work ( f i public relations..) has grown better and better and has a good reputation in Arsenyev.

His congregation is happy to have at last again a real pastor, and it will joyfully assist him on his responsible way of spreading out Lutheran doctrine and church. Also his dean is glad , to have at last again another pastor at his side, and he looks forward to a good cooperation. He will introduce Alexander Lapochenko in his ministry as a pastor of St Luke’s, Arsenyev, on the last but one Sunday of the church-year, November 12 o’clock, in a festive Divine Service in Arsenyev. We beg you to pray for him and us.

Manfred Brockmann, dean of the Russian Far East