Immanuel pastor named as 2018 'School Shepherd'
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod School Ministry is pleased to announce that the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in East Dundee, Illinois, was selected by the National Lutheran School Accreditation as the 2018 School Shepherd.
The Lutheran School Shepherd Award was established by NLSA to honor a faithful pastor who provides outstanding encouragement, support and service to his school.
Candidates who are considered for this prestigious award understand and articulate a clear philosophy of Lutheran education. The candidates provide spiritual encouragement, guidance and support for the schools they serve. They engage in many school activities and work well with the school governing body and/or parental advisory associations.
Every pastor nominated is viewed as a champion for his school. Additionally, this process allows NLSA to identify and share the specific practices and tangible means of support that impact the school in many positive ways.
Pastor Baerwolf was nominated by the NLSA Validation Team at the time of Immanuel Lutheran School's NLSA site visit in the spring.
After his nomination was endorsed by the LCMS Northern Illinois District officials, a committee of well-respected pastors selected Pastor Baerwolf from the individuals nominated for the award.
When answering the question "Why do you love your school?" Pastor Baerwolf replied, "Jesus has rescued me from sin, death and the devil and I get the awesome privilege of sharing Jesus with the children. From leading preschool chapel times to walking through the six chief parts of the catechism with our seventh-graders, every day is an opportunity to remind them of Jesus and His love. I get to pray with volleyball teams and basketball teams before they compete in state and national tournaments and I get to let them know that win or lose Jesus is holding them in His precious arms of care. I get to listen and marvel at children just beginning to play a clarinet and making beautiful music. I get to pray with a girl whose grandpa just died and assure her that Easter is real - that Jesus lives! How could you not love a place where you get to do that every day?"
Michael Zimmer, the former Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Northern Illinois Mission Facilitator, affirmed Pastor Baerwolf's nomination, "Pastor Baerwolf shows his support of the church and school in ways that many pastors of Lutheran schools also display. Those signs of support include a high visibility at school functions, leading chapel, teaching Confirmation, connecting with parents both members and nonmembers, leading Bible study and prayer with staff, and countless other ways in which a pastor can show support."
Zimmer went on to say, "However, Pastor Baerwolf carries himself with such robust and genuine enthusiasm for the impact that these activities have with the spiritual growth of students and their parents that he demonstrates 'above and beyond' support for their Lutheran school. Pastor Baerwolf is not only an advocate for the school but champions it in the congregation as well."
Pastor Baerwolf is known for wearing handcrafted superhero gear that thrills children and adults alike observes a parent. "His enthusiasm draws people in, to know more about this man's Jesus … The radiance of the Holy Spirit truly radiates from Pastor Baerwolf. Real hope, real life, because of Jesus - this is how 'Shepherd Baerwolf' lives every day … not with a Shepherd's Hook, but with a cape."
A graduate of Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. and Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Mo., Pastor Baerwolf has faithfully served at St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Grand Haven, Mich. from 1995-2006 and at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School from 2007 to present. His leadership exemplifies the traits of a faithful school shepherd.
The National Lutheran School Accreditation is pleased to recognize his service and contributions to Lutheran education with the 2018 School Shepherd Award.
To learn more about Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, visit immanuel-ed.org or www.facebook.com/immanuelschooleastdundee/.