"Productiveness makes me happy. I don't have a vacation personality."

With an attitude like that, he could get a job anywhere, but it's First Baptist Church in Pella that nabbed Nick Seipel (SIGH-pull) to be the new Associate Pastor of Education.

On the job since July 1, Nick and his wife Jessica came to Pella from Elmbrook Church, Wisconsin (the largest church in the state), where Nick was the College Ministry Intern.

In Pella, he will spent 60-70% of his time working with middle and high school youths, and 30-40% of his time working with all other age categories in this congregation of 200. Jess is currently a volunteer with the American Red Cross in Des Moines working in disaster relief.

Born in Appleton, WI in 1980, Nick received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in Science and Religion, with minors in philosophy and chemistry, and his graduate degree in Biblical Exegesis (Greek and Hebrew Biblical interpretation) from Wheaton, IL. Although churched all his life, it was in college that Nick actually started reading the Bible because he wanted to. He took the teachings of Jesus more seriously, and became a leader in campus ministry through Campus Crusade for Christ. While working in campus ministry at Elmbrook, Nick saw and applied for the Pella position advertised on the web.

"I'm very happy to be here," Nick explained. "I'm only 27. To get a job in a church at the entry level, even with undergraduate and masters degrees, isn't easy. Usually it's a matter of who you know. You have to be willing to go where the job is. This is a good fit for me. My wife and I love this new community!"

The best thing he has found about his new job is that it positions him to "pioneer new facets of ministry," to initiate without being micromanaged. The least desirable thing he has found is the mind-set that since everyone is a Christian, everything is fine.

"We all think we understand Jesus and the message, but we haven't taken up the cross to follow Him, even when we see the need all around us to act Christ-like." Nick explained. "I don't think we have a clear vision of who God is anymore - not just in Pella, but in America, in the world. African Christianity, for instance, is exhibited very differently. We hold to our own cultural preferences."

He likened the current cultural attitude to a "vending machine Jesus" - we try to manipulate God for our own whims - put in the prayer, pull out the wish."

In his spare time, Nick often reads. A favorite author is John Piper, who wrote Desiring God and Don't Waste Your Life. Seipel is writing his own book, Pointed Nails, that focuses on "God's holiness, our sinfulness, our obsession with delusions - we worship a God of entertainment." He also maintains www.priorityjesus.org, his personal web site, where he posts current ministry thoughts, preaching, and Christian education matters.

With a background in running a city tennis program, Nick has also signed on as the assistant boys' tennis coach at Pella High School. He referees soccer as well.

The senior pastor is Jon Heikes, at First Baptist just over a year now. "We are a congregation in transition, and a very elderly congregation," Nick said. "We are working to be a church for every generation. I want to work with other churches and non-Christians in cooperative events and partnerships. I particularly want to reach Pella's youth. Satan has a youth group, you know. We're not in competition with the church down the street, we're in competition with Satan's church. We have a lot of lies to face because of our media culture and its effects on youth. There's substantial hopelessness and loneliness that gets taken out with television and video games."

"I'm creative and imaginative, have a great sense of humor and academic background," Nick says. "I have good people skills and work on them all the time - good witnessing is good listening, and we all need better ears."

Come! Meet this energetic, enthusiastic, evangelistic pastor. See for yourself and let him help you wrestle with the voice of God in your life!

First Baptist Church, 709 Independence, 628-3401, meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. for a traditional service, and 11:00 a.m. for a contemporary service.

Marty Racheter 91808

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Town Crier Ltd. or towncriernews.com.

Readers' responses are always welcomed.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Town Crier Ltd. or towncriernews.com.
Readers' responses are always welcomed.