Jayson's call to be a Pastor began when he was three or four years old and preached to his cat.  Several years later, he attended San Diego State University where he graduated with a major in kinesiology and emphasis in physical education with a plan to become a teacher.  "At that time, pink slips were being handed out to teachers everywhere.  We were encouraged to take some time for intentional discernment--to think about doing something else--so I did."  This time of intentional discernment was far from vacation or retreat time.  Soon after graduation, Jayson became the Campus Ministry Assistant.  During his time in this role, he got to try out church ministry and learned a lot about serving in the ELCA.  Some of his most memorable experiences include attending the ELCA churchwide assembly and going to Synod assemblies.  

"The one thing that really made me realize that being a Pastor is who I am called was when my friend went missing.  I helped organize a candlelight vigil and 200 people showed up.  Later that night, Channel ten called me and told me his body had been found.  I'm not sure why I didn't tell them off, but it's a good thing I didn't.  My friend's family asked me to talk to the media for them.  His mom told me later that this allowed them to stay strong.  I gave them the space they needed to be together and grieve.  She gave me the strongest hug ever--to this day, I remember it and I know God was present with all of us.  As sad as this whole experience was, it helped me discover my calling and that I really want to be able to drop everything and be there for people when they need someone to be with them."

Jayson's call to ministry is likely to go beyond parish and campus ministry. This past summer, Jayson completed Officer Development School, the very first part of the process the U.S. Navy requires for the training of military chaplains.  The program is designed to run concurrently with seminary.  ELCA rostered military chaplains are expected to serve a minimum of three years in a parish before becoming eligible for active duty.  In the coming years, Jayson will complete three phases of Chaplain School which will cover topics like military chaplaincy, survival training, and victim advocacy.  "I am excited about being a Pastor in a congregation and serving as a military chaplain in the Navy."

In his free time, Jayson enjoys playing Frisbee and sailing.  "My number one favorite thing to do is skydiving, but I don't get to do that very often!  But sailing, I love that too and there have been times in my life where I could get out on the water three times a week.  It was great fun to watch the America's Cup [in the San Francisco Bay] from a boat.  Being out there, on the water, that's my happy time."  

Rev. Stephens is currently serving as Pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Croton on Hudson, New York.  In July, he returned from deployment to Afghanistan as a military chaplain of the National Guard.  We give thanks to Anthony for writing his story and to all who serve and have served our country.

"When I was at PLTS, I met with a Navy recruiter and it slowly became crystal clear to me that I was being called to military chaplaincy.  As a Briton with a green card though, my option at the time was to become a US Army chaplain. I felt comfortable with this as my father had been a soldier as had all my uncles. Those who survived to WWII, fought in WWII.

I applied at the Oakland processing center and was deemed fit.  However, I received a letter saying that my application could not be approved because my undergraduate credential from the UK (a 4 year Merchant Navy cadetship) was not acceptable.  PLTS, through Dean Lull, and the GTU registrar helped me wage a determined fight to review, but to no avail.  It was disappointing and confusing. Although I have had two great pastorates and very fulfilling chaplaincy, this seemed to be the call I felt most strongly. However, all other options were off the table until I became a citizen.

As the Bush / Gore election came in site, I put aside some semantic reservations about the oath of allegiance, because I thought it critical that I be able to vote in what I thought was going to be a momentous election.  It was long after the election was decided that I decided to approach the U.S. Navy now that I had become a citizen in 2006.

By this time, I had completed a Ph.D in human development, was licensed as a mental health counselor in New York, and held a total of three graduate degrees.  This seemed appealing to the U.S. Navy, however, after a couple of years of applying and working with a recruiter, they said they wanted me to have an undergraduate degree from the United States. So, I obtained an undergraduate degree from Excelsior College in New York.  I was still not selected.  I tried one more time, and I was still not selected, even after meeting with two selection boards and having the President and Secretary of the Navy review my application and qualifications.  Instead of giving up, I pursued a law degree.  Once of my classmates had returned from Iraq as a military intelligence officer. 'Try the National Guard,' he suggested..."

Read the rest of Anthony's story here»   

Ernst F. Tonsing, Ph.D. M.Div  '66

Professor Emeritus of Religion and Greek

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

Each round of the years brings November 22, a dreadful day with painful memories.  It is even more so with the approach of the fiftieth anniversary this year, 2013.  I had served three years as an officer in the United State Navy, and retired in the summer of 1962, to enter Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California.  A year had passed, and I was now a "Middler" student, immersed in studies of the Old and New Testaments, Church History and Greek.

We were two months along in another course, "Homiletics," that is, preaching, in which we were assigned the lessons of certain Sundays of the Church Year to exegete (analyze), and to deliver our homilies in various churches around the East Bay area, so that we could get used to standing in front of congregations in a pulpit.

The class was taught by Dr. George Muedeking, an excellent but flamboyant professor who wore the widest, most outrageously bright neckties that I had ever seen.  In these outings from the campus, he instructed the class to sit at the rear of the church forcing the speakers to enunciate clearly, to project their voices, and to transmit their energy to those seated far away.

It was my turn to speak before the class on Friday, November 22.  We went to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church near the seminary, entered, and sat at the rear of the sanctuary.  I had been given the Gospel text for the "Ascension of Christ" Sunday on which to speak.  It was a beautiful Berkeley day.  The fog had burned away early, and the air was clean, crisp and glorious.  I was nervous, of course, but I had prepared carefully, and was eager to "get it over with." 

Read the rest of Fred's story here