The past and the present came together when the Rev. Rick Buhrke was installed at Zion Lutheran Church in Zachow where there hasn‘t been a sole pastor for over 90 years. Buhrke and his family can now promote the ministry, Family Crossfires, which endeavors to prevent and heal family breakdowns. “God brought us all together for a reason,” said Rhonda Buhrke, the pastor’s wife and director of Family Crossfires. “He has plans for this place.” Family Crossfires carries out its mission through United Intergenerational Ministry whose curriculum seeks to reunite and strengthen families in faith. “I’m excited that I’m back in a sole parish and able to do more than before,” Rick Buhrke said. “We invite people to come here.” Rick Buhrke was pastor at St. Paul Stony Hill and Zion in Gresham. He retired four years ago to concentrate full time on Family Crossfires. He was called and accepted the call to Zachow because he would be able to do both UIM and parish ministry at one parish. “There was a need there for a call,” Rhonda Buhrke said. “We ended up there to do UIM. After all is said and done, it’s really wonderful that the Lord would give us just one church to do UIM in.” On June 2, 13 pastors and over 100 guests from as far away as Minnesota and Iowa joined in the celebration. Worship at the installation was led by Counselor of Circuit 14 North Wisconsin District, Pastor Paul Scheunemann, with the installation performed by NWD President, Pastor Dwayne Lueck. The Burhke’s three grandsons were part of the ceremony. Isaiah Buhrke, 13, played the processional “Joyful, Joyful” on the organ and read the first lesson. TJ Sumner, 9, read the second lesson, and Bryce Sumner, 6, sang “Jesus Loves Me” acapella. Both Isaiah and Bryce are blind. The Buhrke’s nephew, Alex Parins, 25, led a Psalm. “We’re so proud of them,” Rhonda Buhrke said. “They were happy to do it.” Timothy Lamkin, former pastor at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church in the town of Richmond and president of Family Crossfires, gave a message that laid a foundation for growth at Zion through the power of the Holy Spirit. Lamkin is pastor at Shepherd of the Grove Church in Cottage Grove, Minn. Bob Krause, chairman of Zion, said about the inspirational service, “I’ve never seen anything like it.” The Zion congregation was formed in 1900 and the church was built a year later. The basement of the church has a kitchen and large fellowship hall. The church cemetery is across the road. Services are Sunday at 10 a.m. and in July there will also be an 8:30 a.m. service. The church can accommodate 135 parishioners. “There are many generations there,” Rhonda Buhrke said. “We are blessed to have all of them. It’s a very exciting challenge.” For more information, call 715-745-2598.
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