Tony Roukema got the calling to study at the theological seminary in Hamilton, Ont., and soon after that, he said he got a different kind of calling: a phone call.
The 39-year-old native of Eastern Canada previously worked in sales and training with a company that produced school planners. At one point during his 10-year career, he realized he needed to do something different with life.
“I felt called to leave that and become a preacher,” he began. “A better way to put it is that I had a desire to become a preacher, to become a minister. I followed up on that by studying theology for four years. I guess you could say that I then was called by a church here in St. Albert to be the pastor.”
He explained there are still some skills that he picked up from his former profession that will get some good use in his new endeavour as the new pastor at the St. Albert Canadian Reformed Church.
“I like working with people. That’s one of the things I enjoyed about my job in sales. Where I’m different, I think, from most recent graduates of a seminary is I think I have a lot more practical people experience.
“I can see that really helping, but I don’t think I’m any different than any other minister who would be my age. I’m more used to meeting people.”
That age actually puts him in a prime position within his congregation of about 240. It’s split mostly between the younger crowd in their 20s and the older crowd in their 50s and 60s, he said.
“It’s an interesting demographic that way. There’s not actually a lot of people my age in the church,” he said.
“I think that was one of the things that appealed to the folks in St. Albert when they called me. It’s just an exciting congregation that way — young, vibrant — but also at the same time they have that maturity with the older members who have that experience and leadership.”
Tomorrow he presides over his new congregation. Even though he is still unpacking he says that isn’t going to deter him from having a great first service tomorrow morning where he will be ordained.
It’s a special occasion already with two baptisms on the schedule. Even before that happens, he and his family are already pretty pleased with their new life here.
“I love the Lord. I love working with the Lord’s people. I love studying His word. Now I get to do this so I’m looking forward to [being a pastor]. I’m pretty excited about it. St. Albert is a gorgeous community. We’re loving the area here. It’s a big move.”
