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| Rev Becky Hand prepared for the ministry at ELCA's online seminary - Institute of Lutheran Theology, UOJ guru Jay Webber (ELS) earned his STM there. |
Science leads pastor into ministry
Hand: Paul’s writings are down to earth to post-resurrection people
The Rev. Rebecca Lynn “Becky” Hand had long been certain her destiny was to be a veterinarian when she graduated from Odessa High School in 1983, but a serious illness during her first year at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences ended that ambition.
After recovering from mononucleosis, Hand got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science and genetics from Tarleton State and Texas Tech and taught the subjects for 14 years at Odessa College; however, the ministry’s call changed her course again when in 2007 she became the founding pastor of Life in Grace Lutheran Church at 1009 N. Tom Green Ave.
Asked if she sees a conflict between science and religion, Hand said, “No, we study the signs and how things were made, but that doesn’t mean God didn’t make them.
“I marvel at the intricate details life has. There are things we still don’t know, but God knows all the secrets because He did it. I worried about aliens when I was young, but it dawned on me that if there are other life forms, God created them, too, and He is still in charge.”
Hand leads services at 11 a.m. Sunday, where an average of 30 people attend, and at 9 a.m. Sunday at Hope Lutheran Church in Midland.
She earned a master’s of divinity degree from the Institute of Lutheran Theology in Brooking, S.D., in 2014. Hand and her husband Robert have three children and three grandchildren. Her maiden name was Hennig.
“The sermon always has to be about Jesus, His love for us and His grace and forgiveness,” she said. “The entire Word is inspired by God, and through the whole scripture the thread that ties it all together is Christ.
“I love the books of Romans and Ephesians because Paul is down to earth in his writings to post-resurrection people. He tells us to live like it is our last day, and we have to take that to heart.
“We can’t see the whole ocean from any one viewpoint, and God’s love is bigger than that with more depth and breadth than we can imagine. We can try to see others the way God sees them, but sooner or later our innate selfishness is going to get in the way.”
Tammy Brown of Albany, who attended Tarleton State University with Hand in Stephenville, said the minister “was very grounded even as a young person.
“You could talk with Becky about anything, and she always had an answer,” Brown said. “You could see God was in her with the way her eyes twinkled.
“She has the biggest heart and a real cute sense of humor. She’s a genuine, good, Godly person who cares about people.”
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The long awaited day of Rebecca Lynn (Becky) Hand to graduate with a Master of Divinity arrived on August 17, 2014. Along with her ordination as an LCMC pastor and installation as pastor of Life in Grace Lutheran Church, Odessa, TX, and Hope Lutheran Church, Midland, TX.
Pastors in ceremony attendance were as follows: Rev. Alsen Wenzel, St. John's Lutheran of Winters, TX, Rev. John Rasmussen and Rev. Timothy J. Swenson of the Institute of Lutheran Theology, Brookings, SD, Rev. Mark Schimmel, Zion Lutheran of Priddy, TX, and retired Lutheran pastor Jerry Kaskela of Lubbock, TX.
The Grace of our Lord was overflowing from early morning church service to Pastor Becky's special afternoon service with family, friends and other Lutheran churches of the community! We all know and believe that she will spread the Gospel of the "Good News" to everyone, for God has called her to do so and she will deliver his Word!
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| Jay Webber's ILT graduation ceremony was held in the corner of a restaurant. |
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Thanks to all who contributed and participated in the
District convention April 25. Pr. Becky Hand from
Gardendale, Texas preached on the theme “Hope for the
Long Haul.” Keynoter Pr. Steve Lien, LCMC Coordinator of
Pastoral Ministry, discussed sobering challenges facing
pastors and congregations, but also reminded the
convention of the good and the hopeful. Pr. Julie Smith,
LCMC Board of Trustees updated the convention on LCMC
activities.
Pr. Becky Hand, Odessa, TX was elected to complete the
District Council term of Pr. Randy Freund. Loren Brekke,
Hanska, MN; Pr. Craig Nehring, Caroline, WI; Jane Evers,
Comfrey, MN and Lou Weeks, Marshall, MN were elected
to three year terms. Emilie Wildey, Stewart, MN and
Gaylen Lerohl, Alexandria, MN were reelected to three
year terms on the District Council.
