Greetings to all of my family in Christ at Saint John’s. I hope you are all doing well and that you are enjoying everything Colorado has to offer for spring. What is this snow I hear about in mid-May? Well, the creation hasn’t been perfected yet; we still await the resurrection and the restored creation!

The school year is fast coming to a close, almost too fast. There is much to be done, but with some hard work and late nights my assignments are wrapping up. Many of my classes have some major papers due. I have been finishing up a biblical class on Isaiah. I also took a few theology classes this quarter regarding American church denominations and the Holy Spirit and how he works in various ways. Finally, I had history class focusing on the early church in the first four centuries after Christ. It has been a fast year, and I am ecstatic to go on vicarage next year.

Some of you have heard through the word on the street, but I am going to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb, Michigan, for vicarage next year. I have had the chance to check out the church online and talk with the senior pastor for a bit; it will be an amazing year at Immanuel! It sounds like I will be involved in a variety of ministries and be able to dabble in a bit of everything a pastor would have to do. I am confident this coming vicarage year will prepare me quite well for ministry in years to come.

Speaking of ministry in years to come … I am so happy that Pastor Nettleton has been led by the Spirit to continue his ministry at Saint John’s. Since I haven’t had a chance to be back home yet, I give my official “hello” to you, Pastor Nettleton, from afar. I look forward to meeting you this summer when I am home.

Thank you all for your love and support. This has been one great year for me here in Saint Louis and I cannot wait to see what God has in store this coming year over vicarage. I continue to keep you in my prayers and thank you for your prayers on my behalf. I am beyond blessed to have Saint John’s as my church home. I am so excited to see what God will do in the years to come under Pastor Nettleton’s leadership and for the ways Saint John’s will serve God’s people in Fort Collins. Thank you again for your support, and I look forward to seeing you this summer.

Nikolai Gibbons is a Saint John’s member who is studying for the ministry at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. You can reach him by email at gibbons@StJohnsFC.org.