First Lutheran Church of Longview announced it has a new pastor. The Rev. Jeffrey E. Borgwardt is expected to move into his office Monday and preach his first service Nov. 8. He is scheduled to be formally installed Nov. 15.
Coming from St. John Lutheran Church in Ely, Iowa, Borgwardt said one of the reasons he accepted the position is because he thinks this is a congregation with a lot of potential. "I want to be a part of the future that God has planned for that congregation," he said.
In his acceptance letter to the church, Borgwardt wrote, in part: "I am excited to begin ministry in a new place and seek to partner with you and help you to grow in your ability to minister to each other and to the community as a whole. "
During his mission in Iowa, Borgwardt was a charter member and board member of the Ely Gateway Rotary Club; regional school crisis response team, local chapter leadership boards of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the track chaplain at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. He also served as a member and chairman of the Southeastern Iowa Synod First Call Theological Education Committee, a voting member to the Churchwide Assembly and as a Natural Church Development coach.
Borgwardt said he has been in the great Piney Woods only when he visited First Lutheran, but he and his wife are looking forward to the change.
"This is a new adventure for me and my wife, and we're looking forward to it. (Longview) seems like a great community to be a part of," he said.
Borgwardt replaces the Rev. Phil Fenton, Longview's native son who pastored the church for about 17 years before accepting the call of another church in Brenham in August 2008.
The installation service will be at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 15, followed by a pot luck dinner in the fellowship hall. If attending dinner, please call the church office at (903) 295-7412 to register.
