Asia, South America, Chicago and now Covington are among the places where Paul Gossman has answered “the call.”
Gossman, a missionary and pastor since 1985, took over last August as pastor at Peace Lutheran Church. At 50, he’s leading a congregation from the surrounding Covington, as well as the Maple Valley area. He and his wife, Priscilla, who’s a nurse, live in Issaquah. Their 19-year-old daughter, Sarah, is studying international relations at Wheaton College in Illinois.
A pastor and missionary since 1985, Gossman is a self-described avid runner and hiker whose hobbies also include snowshoeing and eating. The latter, he quipped, includes “anything I’ve not tried before. And that’s hard to find.”
Gossman talked to the Reporter about the challenges and rewards of leading a church.
Reporter: Tell us about your background and what brought you to Peace Lutheran.
Gossman: Quite frankly, I was a bit surprised that Peace Lutheran called me to be their pastor, and even more surprised that God clearly guided me to accept the call. At the time, I was teaching missions and intercultural studies at Trinity Lutheran College in Issaquah. My previous years of ministry, along with my wife and daughter, had all been intercultural – tribal missions in Asia, church planting and leadership development in South America, and a multi-ethnic ministry in Chicago. I wondered why God would put us in Covington, which certainly appeared quite different from the settings with which we were most familiar.
It has become very apparent, however, that God has his purposes in my serving at Peace Lutheran. Reconciliation, renewal and outreach are matters very dear to my heart, and they appear to be what God has in mind for Peace. What’s more, I see that Kent, Covington and Maple Valley are communities where intercultural relationships are becoming increasingly important.
Reporter: What drew you to church work?
Gossman: From shortly after the time in my teens when God graciously saved me and turned my life completely around, I have known no greater joy than sharing the love of Jesus with others, especially with those who’ve not known or trusted him before.
Reporter: What’s the biggest challenge for a pastor or church leader in today’s world?
Gossman: Though I’m quite aware of the unique challenges we face in an increasingly complex and globalized society, and in a troubled America, it seems to me the primary challenge of Christian ministry in the lives of real people and communities hasn’t really changed.
Most people, myself included, don’t like to acknowledge their own brokenness and sinfulness. The Bible speaks of such a person, saying that “in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” (Psalm 36:2) Facing our own need for God’s forgiveness and transforming power through Jesus Christ – that’s a place many people just don’t want to go. Helping them get there can be an enormous challenge. Helping them get beyond that point to life with Christ is a joy.
Reporter: There must be many rewarding moments in your work. Is there one that’s particularly memorable, either recently or from the past?
Gossman: My wife and I love ministering to families in need of change. This was particularly important in the impoverished urban communities where we served in Peru, but we’ve seen broken families healed in every place we’ve been privileged to serve.
I just recently received an e-mail from a woman to whom I ministered years ago here in the U.S. She’d been trapped in exceptionally self-destructive behaviors. Consequently, her marriage and family were on the edge of falling apart. Today, by God’s power and grace, she and her family are completely transformed and involved together in ministering to others. Seeing whole families saved and transformed for the glory of God is more rewarding than anything I can imagine.
Reporter: Everyone thinks their church is special, and rightly so. What’s unique or special about yours?
Gossman: In the short time I’ve been at Peace Lutheran, I’ve seen two things about this congregation that I particularly appreciate. We are blessed with a generous number of gifted and willing servant-leaders who are eager to see God’s life-changing work done. Additionally, and very importantly, we are a community of people familiar with difficult and trying times. As a result, those who find themselves struggling are welcome here. The forgiving and healing love of Jesus Christ is free to all of us.
Reporter: What are your goals for Peace Lutheran?
Gossman: I believe God has called me to establish people firmly in his unconditional love for them through Christ, and then to shepherd them in their relationship with Christ so that they learn to listen together to his leading. We will discern what God’s purposes are for Peace Lutheran in extending his love to our local communities and beyond.
