by Sarah Maney

Andrew Thompson, the oldest of five siblings, grew up on a farm in rural Iowa. Both his father, a full-time farmer, and his mother, a Lutheran schoolteacher who later became a stay-at-home mom, were deeply committed to their Christian faith. Church was central to their lives, and for Thompson and his siblings, Sunday services were non-negotiable.

“We were at church every Sunday, no exceptions, unless we were sick,” Thompson recalled. “Even on vacations, we’d find a church wherever we were. That commitment shaped us.”

But it wasn’t just Sunday services    that influenced Thompson’s faith. His parents integrated spiritual practices into daily life: prayers before meals, nightly devotions and even home church services during blizzards. “We would put together our own little service, and my mom and dad would say, all right, one of you will read this, and one of you will say a prayer,” said Thompson.

While Thompson didn’t fully appreciate these traditions as a child, as he grew older, he recognized their significance. It wasn’t until high school, though, that he began to feel the tug toward ministry.

A Growing Sense Of Call

In high school, Thompson became active in his church, enjoying Bible study and feeling a pull toward serving others. Yet, he hesitated when he thought about serving as a pastor. It didn’t seem like an especially “cool” choice for a career, nor a money-making venture. He considered other paths like engineering or farming, a natural fit given his family’s background.

It wasn’t until he went on a mission trip to Chicago that everything started to click. The trip was filled with service, Bible studies and worship with other young people who loved God. That mission trip was a turning point. Thompson sensed a clear call to ministry. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, but I was slow to admit it,” he said.

After high school, Thompson visited Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., which set him on the path to Concordia Seminary. The campus pastor shared two ideas that resonated deeply with him: pastors love to serve others and study God’s Word. “That moment felt like God speaking to me,” Thompson says. “I prayed, ‘If this is Your will, open doors. If not, block the way.’ And the doors kept opening.”

Seminary And A Deeper Sense Of Purpose

Thompson went on to study at Concordia Seminary, where both academic and spiritual growth flourished. “The professors don’t just teach theology — they care for us personally, understanding the challenges we face,” Thompson said. “They form us to be pastors, not just scholars.”

One professor who had a profound impact was Dr. Jeff Gibbs, who served as Thompson’s formation lab instructor. “Dr. Gibbs wasn’t just a teacher — he was a mentor. He shared practical wisdom and modeled pastoral care.”

Thompson also learned the realities of ministry, especially through pastoral care and counseling classes with Dr. Mark Rockenbach. “Those classes were eye-opening,” Thompson said. “As a young guy, I hadn’t faced things like marriage counseling or funerals. But those classes prepared me for real-world ministry.”

Thompson graduated in 2022, and today serves as the pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wis. Also, he recently joined the Alumni Council, a volunteer leadership group serving the Seminary.

“My wife and I really loved our time at the Seminary. It has a special place in our hearts,” said Thompson. “By the time we left there, we were excited to get started in the ministry at a church, but we were sad about leaving all the people at the Sem — the community we grew to love. As part of the Alumni Council, I still get to hear how things are going, and I can help provide avenues for others to come and study at the Seminary.”

A Grandfather’s Influence

Thompson often reflects on his grandfather, who wasn’t a pastor but was very active in his church, often visiting those who were homebound. “When I was little, my grandpa joked that I’d be a pastor,” Thompson remembers. “When I finally admitted I was considering it, he said, ‘I knew it all along.’”

Thompson’s first sermon, preached in his home church, was a meaningful moment. “My grandpa was there, and I think he was prouder than I was. He had been praying for me, and seeing me preach was something we’d both hoped for.”

Looking back, Thompson has advice for those considering ministry. “The devil will try to make you feel unworthy. You might think, ‘I don’t know enough about the Bible’ or ‘I’m not a great speaker,’” said Thompson. “But God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.”

Sarah Maney is the manager of communications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.