A conscientious and dedicated pastor's main concern is to lead by word of mouth and example, to teach and to preach God's Word without adding or subtracting from it, and preaching all of it, Law and Gospel, to the edification of his congregation for an ever growing stronger faith in the Savior and a life of sanctification motivated by faith. That was the purpose of our ministry at Trinity, Audubon.

It has been forty-three years since our ministry at Trinity. As we remember names, specifics of our ministry, situations that have problems for us and others, including the pastor's family, together with trends of the times, past practices of the congregation that needed updating and that called for patience and understanding on our part, all were "instruments" in the Lord's hands to equip us to be better able to serve Him with patience and understanding. The manner in which the members of the congregation applied the Word that we preached and taught and the directives and goals that we suggested which resulted in the growth of faith and sanctification and a better understanding of the relationship with God, and between the needs of the pastor and his family and the people, was reward enough for ministrations and the source of joy and thanksgiving to a gracious Lord.

Our shepherding of God's flock in Lincoln Township covered the time span, as the historical section of your Centennial Anniversary Hook reports, from 1938 to 1946. This was a unique time for us and for you. It was World War II time. In these years we together celebrated the 25th anniversary of the church building in October of 1938, our first year with you and the year of Janice's birth, December 22; the 60th anniversary of the congregation in September of 1941, in the newly redecorated interior of the church and altar (with gold leaf) under the artistry of the Langenfeld Studios of Carroll, Iowa, and the transition of every Sunday morning service in the English language.