Devin Strong, Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church

Halloween is huge in the U.S., second only to Christmas in terms of Holiday spending. This year, families with children will spend an average of $650 per household getting ready for the spooky day totaling $13.1 billion across the country, and why not? With everything going on in the country, we could all use some fun! But I want to focus on the other holiday this week -- All Saints Day.

All Saints is considerably older and richer than the candy-gobbling festival.

First celebrated in 609 C.E., All Saints became an official festival of the church in the ninth century. Ever since, November 1st has been set aside by Christians as a day to honor those who have died and gone before us in the faith.

Today, many Protestants recognize the day in worship on the Sunday before November 1st. It can be a sad day, and even a congregation-wide funeral service as we remember all our friends and loved ones who have passed in the last year, but All Saints Sunday is also a time to remember and celebrate all the mentors who have been with us on our faith journey. Here, I want to lift up three people who have been especially important to me: Sue, Steve, and Rick.

Deaconess Sue was the most memorable youth director of my teenage years.

A young, single woman only eight years older than me at the time, she seemed so grown up and a person of faith that I very much wanted to emulate. She was bright, energetic, and most of all, caring. I was a smart kid, but also awkward and unsure of myself. Miss Sue listened to me during some difficult days and cared about me as I grew into my own skin.

Steve was the Campus Pastor at my small Lutheran College, and alongside my mother, the person most responsible for my becoming a pastor. The pastor at my home congregation was gifted but too aloof for me to relate to. Steve, by contrast, was just as bright but also funny and genuine. In him, I saw a style of ministry and a way of being in the world that made it possible to see myself as a pastor.

Both my mom and I owe him a giant debt of gratitude because my ordination nearly 35 years ago fulfilled one of her biggest dreams for me.

Much more recently, Rick is a colleague with whom I worked as his Associate Pastor. From Rick, I learned—or better, was reminded of—the crucial role of being a prophet in the congregation. Most Lutheran pastors are “nice people.” We are taught to be caring listeners and gracious folks, and many of us avoid conflict like the plague! But fewer of us say the hard words, take controversial stands, or lovingly challenge folks on their beliefs or behaviors. Rick still does that, frequently, when it comes to matters of justice. Seeing his spine has made me a better pastor.

None of us got to our present faith or way of living the Christian life by ourselves. Each of us was guided by role models. As we approach All Saints Day 2025, I encourage you to celebrate those people in your own life and ask yourself: for whom are you serving as a role model in the faith today?