The Brownsdale Our Savior Lutheran Church celebrated 65 years in the Lord's service on Sunday. The headline of Sunday's worship program reads, "Built On The ROCK The Church Doth Stand!" Our Savior is a daughter congregation to Waltham's Trinity Lutheran, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Two years ago, Pastor David Truenow, his wife, Beverly, and daughters Tammy and Tracy answered the call to come and serve Our Savior in Brownsdale.

Truenow is truly impressed by the progress and growth of the congregation since they dedicated the church July 4, 1937.

"One of the unique aspects about the congregation is, that it's only been here 65 years and has had that many going on to the ministry," David pointed out.

For examples of the "homegrown" ministers he mentioned Dr. George Wollenburg of Billings, Mont., Gary Clayton from Cole Camp, Mo., Roger Holland from south Minneapolis, and Dr. Robert Holst, president of Concordia University in St. Paul. Those remarkable men, all experts in their own fields, grew up on Brownsdale area farms within three miles of each other. Several women have also gone for education in Christian ministry, and presently there are six people studying for the ministry. As Truenow put it, "for just a small town, they sure have many going for the ministry."

Glad to be pastor of Our Savior, Truenow gave account for some of their programs. "We have a preschool with teacher Carol Brown, who comes over from Stewartville. She has taught in public schools for quite a few years, so she has a lot of experience with the younger kids and was looking for an opportunity to have her own school. She has to be her own boss, so we're glad to have her here," he said with a sincere smile. "We want to have a strong program for academics -- that's important to today’s parents -- and we also put a Christian dimension to it. We can't cut back, because the parents want their kids to get off to a good start in the world."

Truenow stressed the important role the full time secretaries play to the ministry. His secretary at Our Savior is invaluable to him. She knows the people and she knows what needs to be done.

Besides Sunday morning Bible study, Sunday school and worship service, Our Savior also has a Bible breakfast at Golden Gate Restaurant every other Tuesday. Occasional evening programs, such as marriage classes or other subjects that appear to a broader interest group, may be offered during the school year. There is also a Lutheran Women's Missouri League Bible study circle that meets in small groups once per month.

Thursday afternoons are during the school year reserved for confirmation class. Confirmation traditionally takes place either Palm Sunday or Pentecost Sunday. Timing choice may depend on school graduations so there is a balance between different events.

"Every church is like a person, every pastor is different and no two are exactly alike," Truenow said. "There are a lot of changes going on in the country, like everything else. It's a fast moving world." He points out his view of the difficulty in church work: "In one sense, we're not here to try to appeal to what people want. God's Word, the Gospel, is the same for all ages. We want to keep that unique message

one foot in the past so you know where you're going in the future. If you lose that connection you get lost in the future."

David Truenow's reasoning is clear -- change the message of the Church, and it becomes indistinct from society. "Then you're no longer the Church." Sixty-five years in service indicates that Our Savior Lutheran has not changed the message of the Church.