New Pastor to Capitalize on Experiences

Pastor Brien Wahlen recently arrived in Sidney with his wife.

His story is like many. It is not a straight line from boyhood to full-time ministry. In fact, as he tells it, ministry is kind of a late-in-life career.

"This is kind of a late in life career choice," he said.

He compared it to a Jonah comparison, of not initially going where God wanted him but in time accepting the plan. It could easily be said ministry is something that should have come naturally. He father and his grandfather were ministers.

"I was raised in a ministry home," he said.

He added that he has moved to what he believes God wants from us - to make it real.

He comes to Sidney from seminary in Michigan. Prior to attending seminary, he student pastored in Omaha where he met his wife.

He is drawn to ministry by his desire to reach people with the message of Jesus, according to Wahlen. His message is tied to his past, which also helps him connect with people.

He is still at the point of learning what the community's needs are. He is involved with the ministerial association, which is a big help, he says.

He is ministering in four 7th Day Adventist churches: Sidney, Bridgeport, Alliance, and Ogallala.

"I'm a busy guy. I put over 2,000 miles on my car last month," he said.

It is difficult pastoring in four different communities He schedules a community for each day. When he is not at a specific community, an elder of that church leads the worship. He is looking into live-streaming services between the churches.

His wife works as a dental hygienist a few days a week in Ogallala. Their families in in Lincoln and Omaha.

"We're new to the Panhandle area, but we really like it here," he said.

The basic premise of the 7th Day Adventist church is the seventh day of the week, Saturday, is the Sabbath, and therefore the day for worship. As an adventist, they are looking forward to the Second Coming of Christ.