Living Hope Bids Adieu to Dan Lugo

During the nearly three years that Living Hope Church has been in existence there have been changes—but there has also been the consistency of Dan Lugo, leading worship and encouraging students through the college ministry. On Sunday, May 22, that chapter came to a close. As part of the farewell, Living Hope presented Lugo with a new Bible, as well as a biography of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer in which the church community wrote their farewell messages. Pastor Sam Hamstra also read Phillippians 1:3-11 as encouragement as he continues his journey.

Lugo’s journey to Living Hope happened all began when Pastor Hamstra had Lugo in class at Northern Theological Seminary. Months later Pastor Hamstra approached Lugo regarding the beginnings of Living Hope; while he was entertaining an offer at another church, after prayer and conversation, Lugo decided to see what might come of the adventure with Living Hope. He was drafted to play both the role of worship leader and college minister, having experience working with both high school and college students during his time as an undergraduate.

“I consider Living Hope my ‘first church’ in terms of adult ministry,” said Lugo. “As a minister I learned what it's like to walk alongside people for years, in contrast to my year-by-year ministry of the past. I was confronted with a lot of my weaknesses, as well as encouraged about my strengths. I've walked away with more family than I thought I would have.”

As a worship leader, Lugo said he knew the style that Pastor Hamstra desired would blend traditional, gospel, and Christian contemporary music, and he was excited for that challenge.

“The depth and richness of hymn lyrics, passion and excitement of black gospel, and accessibility of CCM make them perfect complements to one another,” Lugo said. “I think they blended well, and over the years we found that rather than imitating any of the three, we took our strengths as musicians and made the style a unique ‘Living Hope’ blend.”

One week after wrapping up at Living Hope, Lugo will find himself in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he will begin his clinical pastoral education, the final requirement for his master’s of divinity. In St. Paul, Lugo will act as a chaplain in a major hospital there alongside eight other seminarians through mid-August. He will officially graduate from Northern Seminary in June 2012. After this summer his short-term goal is to secure a job in a church as a worship leader, but also be involved in mentoring, spiritual development, and community work. He is still working to articulate his long-term desires, but he hopes the future involves art, mentoring, and redemption (and he’s open to ideas as to how those might fit best together).

“It's as if I were planted in a field, and over the years some plants have been brought in, some brought out,” said Lugo of his time at Living Hope. “I've seen a lot of growth, and a lot of change. And I've grown a lot in my time here, but I know it's time for a transplant. I'm thankful I could grow along so many amazing people, and that I could be a part of the growth.”

After the service on Sunday, the Living Hope community celebrated his time with cake and fellowship; people were quick to thank Lugo for serving Living Hope with his gifts.

“Dan Lugo was the right man at the right time for Living Hope Church,” said Pastor Hamstra. “During his three years with us he helped develop both our worship ministry and our campus ministry to college students. He will be missed.”

To view a complete photo gallery of Dan Lugo's farwell, visit the public Living Hope facebook album.