The Newest Gulf Coast Synod Staff Supports Various Ministries 

Nov 28, 2022

By Evangeline Dai, MDiv

It was an honor to join the staff at my “home synod” and contribute the gifts God gives me to our synod. As an Asian immigrant whose primary language is not English, I was nervous, but I also look forward to the opportunity to continue to learn American culture, Lutheranism, and ministries; in addition, I am hoping to share different perspectives for the sake of diversity and cultural exchange.

I was born and raised in Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan (Ilha Formosa), where serious earthquakes and typhoons (they are hurricanes in the Eastern Hemisphere) happen very often. I am emphasizing this because Disaster Response would be a big part of my job as Ministry Coordinator at our synod.

Disaster Response was also part of my discernment to attend seminary. Houston is the first place I call home outside of Taiwan, I have seen the impact of hurricanes and the sea level rising is serious in our synod.

A collage I created when I applied for ELCA Fund For Leaders scholarship

I received my “external call” (someone else tells you that you should be a deacon/pastor other than yourself) on Pentecost Sunday, 2017. I did not act right away, but as I continued to ponder and discern, the same year, hurricane Harvey hit Gulf Coast, and the Houston area was disastrously flooded. I saw Christian individuals and churches take actions to help those who were in need and post information for volunteer opportunities; I saw church members provide shelter, care, prayers, and comfort; I saw people trust in God and be strong to get through the tough time… I decided to go to the seminary to be equipped to share the Gospel that brings people hope and to be cultivated to do ministries.

After I joined the synod staff, one day, when I was organizing the documents, I saw what I wrote down in my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education, like chaplain internship) final evaluation back in the Summer of 2019; it has been 3 years, but I still feel the same:

“I am still not sure whether I will serve executive works or evangelization. I have interests in ecology, immigration, racial justice, world hunger, disaster response, global mission, Chinese speaking community, Taiwanese community, new church planting, senior caring, LGBTQ+ community, economic justice, poverty, unhoused, and parish setting.”

I smiled when I saw this, I felt the decision for me to join the synod staff as Ministry Coordinator instead of accepting a traditional first call to serve in the parish started to make more sense. There are too many things we as Christians can do for God’s works in the world, I want to do so many things, but I am just one person, how can I do all of them? Many people may also have the same feeling as I did.

The Good News is that we are not doing this alone. עִמָּנוּאֵל (Immanuel), God is with us.

God also gives all the people and churches different gifts and experiences to offer, when we come to work together, we can do more than we could separately. Taking the role of Ministry Coordinator, I hope to support the communities in our synod for various ministries.

So this is my prayer:

Almighty God, your Holy Spirit equips the church with a rich variety of gifts. Grant that we may use them to bear witness to Christ in lives that are built on faith and love. Make us ready to live the gospel and eager to do your will, so that we may share with all your church in the joys of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (“Prayer for Congregational ministries,” ELW, p.76)