journeys-page

Dear Church family, I thank God for leading us this far since I returned to Trinity United Methodist Church as an Associate Pastor. I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome. I am profoundly grateful for being here. The first time I came here I was the pastor’s wife, and me and my family never felt like outsiders. You welcomed us and included us in the church family. I never would have imagined that I would be serving here as a pastor. God always has plans for us—sometimes they surprise us. For a year, I served at Twin River United Methodist in Silver Creek, Monroe, and Genoa, NE—many of you communicated with me, prayed for me, and attended online worship to support me in ministry. Others visited me by attending in-person services. Rev. Kelly also continued to support me as my mentor and my Pastor. Many people helped me write recommendations for scholarship applications. Trinity alone gave me a scholarship to support my studies at Saint Paul School of Theology. This church family has continuously been there for me and I consider this church home. When I was appointed to Trinity, I had a million questions. One of them was if it was a good move. Here I am. You welcomed me back and have shown me light. Thank you and may the almighty God continue to bless you all and your families. I thought that I did not need an introduction but I feel that I must at least talk a little about myself. I was born in Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 23, 1980. I grew up in a Christian home with 5 siblings: 3 girls and 2 boys. We are not perfect, but our parents taught us a lot and that is where my call to ministry started. My father is an elder in the United Methodist Church and my mother is a teacher at a women’s school (Pastors’ wives) and a leader in United Methodist Women’s group. Growing up as a pastor’s child was challenging and, at the same time, a blessing and a privilege. I grew up attending church, Children’s Sunday school, and Youth for Jesus Christ. I was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. When I was in high school, I taught and helped with children’s Sunday school. I have served in different groups in the church including the young women and the United Methodist Women’s group. I have been given many opportunities to preach and share the word of God with youth and young women. I enjoyed blessings and guidance from God while being around people. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I wanted to be like my dad, but I was not sure of it. Many of my pastors, friends, families, and mentors testified to me that God wanted me to become a pastor. However, I had rejected the calling to serve Him as a pastor, even though I enjoyed doing other ministries in the church. God never stopped leading me toward answering the call. I believe you can run but you cannot hide from God or His calling. I could no longer run and I accepted God’s call to serve Him as a pastor. This is now my second year in ministry. God has confirmed to me that this is what He wants me to do for Him—caring and spreading His words. Still, I cannot do it alone, so all your support and prayers are greatly appreciated. It is a journey. Together, we do the ministry of Jesus Christ. Since I have said yes to God’s calling, I feel alive and enjoy serving you and serving the Lord. I am open to a one-on-one meeting or group meeting as we grow together. If anyone would like to chat, I am available in person or on my cell: (308) 370-9465, or you can email me at akapundu@greatplainsumc.org. Otherwise, I am in the office Mondays through Thursdays. I am off on Fridays, but then back Saturday and Sunday as needed. I plan on doing home visits, but I care for everyone’s health and would not want to compromise anyone during COVID-19. Please know that if you are okay for me to come to your house, I will be there. I thank you all for your time, support, worship moments, and contributions to our church. May we all find the peace that surpasses all understanding in Christ Jesus. Let us encourage one another, pray for one another, and show gratitude for God’s mercies, which are new every morning. I pray that God’s love and healing covers us all. God is faithful, and His steadfast love endures forever in our lives and in our community. May God continue to bless us all. Yours in Christ, Kalingwishi Anny Kapundu Associate Pastor