Lebanon Lutheran Church, Whitehall, MI - Seminarians from Slovakia

Dobre rano! Good morning! My name is Milan Bartko. I live in Slovkia, in the town of Svit near Poprad. Poprad is the tourist center of the High Tatras - which are mountains like smaller Alps.
I live with my parents - dad Milan, mom Elena, and with brother Adam. I was baptized as a child, but I wasn't an active member in my congregation at church. In elementary school I had religion as a school subject, but during the Confirmation lessons (at church?) I learned more about Jesus, Christianity and about church. It was interesting for me and I wanted to know more about it. After my elementary school I went to a catholic high school. In the first months I asked myself: What what am I doing here? I am Lutheran! A Member of another church! It was a shock for me to see all these catholic ceremonies, Holy mass, to hear their liturgy. Now, I know that it was very good for me to see and to be there because I can compare and understand them. I had classmates who were Catholics and one who was Baptist. We often talked about theological problems, differences and about some things in catholic, baptist and evangelical traditions. For example: the Virgin Mary, Holy Communion, the Pope. These were very interesting discussions and we could share with each other and we also learned about ourselves. As time went on I became more and more interested about religious ideas and about putting them into practice.
I have a very good relationship with my pastor in Svit and I always asked him about religions questions, what I and my classmates we're talking about. I decided to be a pastor because I want to teach people, children and adults, about religions. I know a lot of people don't know about basic Christian truth and if they know them, they often misunderstand them.
I study at the Lutheran Seminary in Bratislava, the capital town of Slovakia, and I feel that it is the best study for me. I am interested about it. We learn history, Hebrew and Greek languages, singing, theology and we are good friends there. When I heard for the first time about an opportunity to spend the summer in a US parish, I wanted to try it and to see and learn how a congregation and the ELCA work. I've learned a lot of good ideas which are effective. I see you aren't only members of the church but you are friends who want to spend time with each other. I have many experiences I haven't had before: I dressed in a white robe and I assisted the Pastor with Holy Communion. It was a big and strong moment for me. I haven’t dressed in a robe in Slovakia because I don’t want to try it for fun. It is something very holy for me and I have respect for it. These experiences and all these days which I have spent here have strengthened me emotionally and spiritually.
I have been in Whitehall for 2 months. Whitehall, Montague, White Lake and Lake Michigan are very nice; its nature, woods, lakes are beautiful. Whitehall and Montague are two nice towns with friendly people. All the experiences which I have had with Doug and with you are very good for me.

I feel that to be a pastor is the best life for me. Being part of the actual running of a church, seeing the problems, and meeting the people have given me an excellent opportunity to learn more about a pastor’s work.

I have also learned a lot about myself. This is exactly what I want to do in my life. I know it can be hard, but the work is good and fulfilling. However, I know we are in God’s hands, and we are privileged to do His work. He gives us everything we need.

Jesus is in my life and He is the Bread of my life. I am very thankful that He cares about me, about my family, and friends, and I see He cares about your congregation, too. I have seen it everyday during these months with you. I see it on Wednesdays when I am helping do Jesus’ work helping in the food pantry. I saw it when I went with your youth to Biloxi to do His work helping to rebuild. I see it in your faces during worship.

I will always remember you in my life to come, all my friends in America. God bless you. Amen.