2004 Synod Assembly: "Called Into God's Marvelous Light"

Live update added 3:15 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2004

Chaplain Scott Hagen "Has the Best Job in the Army"

"I have the best job in the Army," claimed Pr. Scott Hagen, now 1st Lt. Scott Hagen, US Army, at the 17th Annual Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly this weekend.

Pr. Hagen, Associate at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Faribault, was called up in February with the rest of his Army Reserve unit, the 367th Engineer Battalion. Stationed at Ft. McCoy, Wis., his unit is awaiting orders for their deployment to Afghanistan where they will be involved in locating land mines. According to Pr. Hagen, Afghanistan is the most mined country in the world, with an estimated 17 million hidden mines.

Pr. Hagen was not surprised about the call-up, having anticipated it for some time. Though he explored and ultimately rejected chaplaincy during seminary, he changed his mind after the events of September 11, 2001. Clearly it was "God's calling," he said. Both his family and congregation have been incredibly supportive.

Ministry in the Army has been both a joy and a challenge. "I am getting to know some terrific people and be a part of their lives, to hear their joys and fears."

It's a daunting task. Hagen and his assistant will be responsible for the spiritual welfare of close to 800 people. "To help build spiritual lives of those who are in so many different places, so many who don't have spiritual lives" is difficult. "I can't do it one-on-one."

Even so, there are many positive things happening. The energy and passion of the unit is high. Also, "I've done more weddings and counseling in the past two months than I've done in five years of parish ministry," Pr. Hagen said. And, when the commander offered a free trip to a showing of the movie, "The Passion of the Christ," over half of the unit responded.

"It's a ministry of presence," said Pr. Hagen, one that is worked both from top-down as he works with the senior enlisted staff and officers, and from the bottom-up with the enlisted personnel through his assistant.

The ELCA and the Southeastern Minnesota Synod are blessed and well-served to have chaplains such as Pr. Hagen who are willing to answer God's call to be present by bringing God's marvelous light to the soldiers serving at home and overseas.

Note: Pastor Erik Feig, First, Lake City, is also serving as a military chaplain and is currently with his unit in Kosovo.

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