Serving youth for 30 years
Thirty years – three decades – is a fair chunk of a lifetime. Not many people stay that long in a job anymore. And yet that’s the time Peter Eckermann has dedicated to serving the young people of the LCA.
Peter began in youth ministry part-time with the Lutheran Youth of Victoria in 1986. The following year he added the part-time roles of Lutheran Youth of Australia Training Coordinator and Youth Worker at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Ringwood in suburban Melbourne to his resumé.
In the years since, he has touched many young lives by sharing the message of love, hope and the saving grace of the gospel.
In 1991 Peter moved to South Australia to take up the post of Director for Children, Youth & Family Ministry for the LCA SA/NT District, a position he would hold for 17 years. (He returned to essentially the same position as acting director of Blueprint Ministries in 2013-2014.) Peter also served on the Lutheran Youth of Australia’s Executive Committee from 1991 to 2008.
In 2008 he became the LCA’s National Coordinator for Faith Inkubators, part of an international movement committed to reworking Christian education to include the role of parents in their children’s faith journey. Peter held that role for three-and-a-half years.
Currently Peter is the SA Coordinator for Vetamorphus, a Christian leadership program for students, which offers secondary students academic credit towards their Senior Secondary School Certificate through the Certificate III in Christian Ministry & Theology.
As well as having served on various child, youth and family ministry committees and boards within the LCA and its districts, he also was on the SA Heads of Churches Schools Ministry Group for three years and was a Community Action Facilitator for Australian Lutheran World Service.
What they said about Peter’s legacy
‘I thank God that he has given you the gifts and the passion to serve young people in the ways you have for this time, with a passion that has not wavered.’
– Rev David Altus, Bishop Lutheran Church of Australia, SA/NT District
‘Thousands of young lives touched, shaped, changed and saved in the name of Christ.’
– Fiona Weckert, Director of Child & Family, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Department, LCA SA/NT; intern with Lutheran Youth of SA – 1997
‘I was just getting into youth group … when I first met (Peter) … and from then on (he) greatly encouraged me to be involved in youth ministry, particularly in leadership and organising.’
– Tim Eckert, SA-NT District Council for Children, Youth and Family Ministry (Blueprint Ministries)
‘You … looked at young people quite differently, seeing the light of Christ already burning in them, and you challenged the church to take ministry with them seriously.’
– Linda Macqueen, LCA Communications Manager; LYQ Youth Worker 1986-1993
‘I have so many awesome memories from the year that I spent with you as an intern. Thank you for following God’s call on your life and allowing him to work through you.’
– Sarah Kubenk, Director of Children’s Ministry, Mount Gravatt Lutheran Church Queensland
Contact Church Worker Support Department (incorporating Lay Ministry):
a: 197 Archer Street North Adelaide SA 5006
e: Manager Chris Materne
at christine.materne@lca.org.au
p: 08 8267 7300
This feature story comes from The Lutheran November 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.
