Dear family at Saint John’s,

I am writing this letter on the first day of the spring quarter, my final quarter. Wow. It’s hard to imagine, looking back, how fast time has gone. I have spent nine years in post-high school education and now I am ten weeks away from finishing. It’s a little surreal, actually. As excited as I am, I’m a little sad to see it come to a close. I’m going to miss these days in many ways for all the ways God has been good to me.

This spring quarter I have a lighter class load with only three classes left. I am taking my final Systematic Theology class, which deals with topics of pastoral and church practice. I am taking a Pastoral Leadership class and my final Biblical studies class, focusing on Exodus and the Torah. It promises to be a great and fast quarter so I am going to do everything I can to slow it down and breathe deeply the last of my time here in seminary.

Over break I was blessed to travel as part of the Laudamus choir that toured Georgia, Florida and Alabama. We spent a week on the road and sang at eleven locations for various schools and churches. The people were wonderful and it was a joy to proclaim the Gospel through song for so many people. On Friday, during the tour, Toni was able to fly down to Orlando and meet us. We had a free day so we went to Disney and enjoyed the sunshine and warmth.

The second week of break Toni and I have been catching up on many of our responsibilities and getting back into a routine. The last few weeks of the last quarter, combined with going straight on tour, left my life pretty hectic, so we’re enjoying a more manageable pace. We’ve been taking more time to read scripture and pray.

Call Day is April 26. That is when Toni and I will find out where we will be serving next year! We have had eight interviews as part of this call process. We’ll see where God has in mind for us to serve. Regardless of where we end up, Toni and I know God will have plenty for us to do. Graduation is three weeks after Call Day. It really is hard to believe how close I am to finishing my formal pastoral education.

After graduation, God willing, I will be ordained at Saint John’s. That is my hope and plan! We’ll have to figure out more of those details after call day, though. We will then spend a few weeks soaking it all in and relaxing in Colorado. Toni and I will write again closer to call day. Thank you again for all your love and support. My time at seminary has been richly blessed and you all have been an incredible encouragement and support during this time.

Love in Christ!
Nikolai & Toni

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.