Concordia Seminary Newsroom
Serving with Faith
William “Bill” and Myrna Snow didn’t just teach their five children with words.
They taught them how to live their lives. Patterns were set early on: the importance of going to church and Sunday school and being involved in the activities of the church. “And good stewardship,” said Rev. Scott Snow, the oldest of five children. “They didn’t do it in a way to broadcast it to us kids. But we could see their faithfulness in their stewardship of time and of their treasures. That made an enormous impact on all of us.”
Could Bill and Myrna have fathomed what the Lord would have in store for their children’s future? Four sons would eventually enter ministry and a daughter would become a nurse.
They faithfully parented, investing their time, talents and treasure in the church.
Due to Bill Snow’s career, the family moved often, but they were always quick to find their local Lutheran church and to get involved. They led youth activities at various times. Bill was a congregational officer and both parents sang in the choir.
As Scott grew and observed his parents’ involvement in the church, he saw opportunities for even greater joy in the work of ministry. He prayed earnestly about his future. Where was the Lord leading him?
His father, led by the Lord, asked if Scott had ever considered going into the ministry.
“One night, I just prayed, ‘Lord, it seems like this is the way You’re guiding me. If it’s not right, show me,’” Scott remembered.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College (now University) in Saint Paul, Minn. (1979), Snow began the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He especially loved the Seminary’s evangelism classes and participated in dialogue evangelism and training. He graduated in 1988.
“There is no better way to train for this office than … Concordia Seminary.”
His involvement in college, then Seminary, field work and vicarage, validated Scott’s call to ministry. He loved seeing God work in everyday life.
“My parents and my home congregations taught me the faith. When I got to the Seminary, they taught me how to be a theologian. The first parish I served at taught me how to be a … pastor,” he said.
Now a pastor “at heart” for almost 40 years, Scott has served in parishes, as staff for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District and at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis. Today he serves as senior pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kan., a call he received in 2010.
In addition to his busy pastoral ministry, Scott appreciates the opportunity to serve — with his time and talents — on the Seminary’s Alumni Council. The regular visits to campus, the opportunity to hear about what’s happening at the Seminary and the chance to meet new faculty members gives Scott “an opportunity to be a conduit for the Seminary out into the field so that I can share in our circuit and with our district,” he said.
His brother, Rev. Richard Snow (’87), serves as president of the LCMS Nebraska District. As a result of the elder Snows sharing their faith in the home and their active roles in the church, Richard said he was motivated to enter pastoral ministry. Like Scott, Richard attended Concordia Seminary.
“There is no greater joy in vocation than sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Richard said. “Though not always easy, it is very fulfilling and there is no better way to train for this office than under the wonderful men of faith that teach at Concordia Seminary.”
Another brother, Rev. Gregory Snow (’00), serves as the senior administrative pastor of Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska, Minn.; and his brother, Curtis Snow, has served as principal and teacher at St. John Lutheran School in Berlin, Wis., for more than 30 years.
In 2017, William and Myrna Snow and their family established the Albert and Elsie Rasmussen Endowed Scholarship in honor of Myrna’s parents. This endowment helps support M.Div. students in their ministry formation by providing scholarships for their second, third or fourth years of study.
“We want to encourage young men and women to consider full-time church work,” Scott said. “What a blessing and a joy it is to serve the Lord full-time in whatever capacity He sets before us. We need to stand tall, serve, lead, witness and give so that others can look back one day and say that they are standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before them.”