One of my favorite accounts in the Bible is the one where the great missionary, Paul of Tarsus, visited Athens, Greece. He looked around and saw idols and altars. The philosophers of the city wanted to hear what he had to say. So Paul spoke:

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does no live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything… He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

In a crowd of people who had various ideas on life and the afterlife, Paul stood alone. Courageously he proclaimed to them who this unknown God is: the one, true and only God who created all things and who, through His Son, will judge everyone who’s ever lived.

I’m no Paul of Tarsus, but I can relate to speaking God’s Word to a post-modern culture full of ideas on life and the afterlife, but who are still searching for the truth. The truth is found only in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty of death for my sins and for your sins. Trusting in that, we will spend eternity with Him in heaven. What assurance do we have? This assurance: God raised Jesus from the dead, just as he promised he would.

This is what I preach here at Peace: Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen… for you.

God bless you. I hope to meet you soon!

— Pastor Neil Wheeler

Pastor Neil Wheeler

Hannah McLaughlin

Director of Christian Education

As Director of Christian Education at Peace, I get to work with kids and youth (birth-12th grade) and their families to provide opportunities for them to grow in their faith.

I joined the staff at Peace in 2021 after graduating from Concordia University, NE. When I'm not running around church preparing for children's and youth's activities, I enjoy going on walks with my dog, crocheting, and spending time with my husband, Tyler.

One of my favorite Biblical accounts is the story of Esther. Esther was an ordinary girl who was chosen to be queen and saved the lives of her people. Halfway through the account, when we've just learned of the danger Esther's people are in, Esther's cousin Mordecai tells Esther this:

"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b)

Though God's name is absent from the book of Esther, He is at work throughout the story. Today, God may feel absent in much of the busyness of our lives. But I believe that God puts us in positions to help and serve others in our world, just as He placed Esther in the position of queen to save her people. My hope is that through the time God is giving me at Peace that I am able to serve you and your family.

Faith Nimtz

PBECC Lead Preschool Teacher

I'm honored to serve Peace Lutheran Church/Peaceful Beginnings as the Pre-Kindergarten teacher! My husband, Gary, and I are originally from Texas, but moved to Nebraska to be near our adult daughters, Amanda and Katlyn. I graduated from Concordia University-Texas where I received a bachelor degree in Elementary Education. I enjoy helping children prepare for kindergarten, but even moreso, I enjoy teaching them about their Savior, Jesus Christ!