By Pastor Matt Knopf, La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, Scottsdale
Esperanza Lutheran Church, undoubtedly, played the foundational role in shaping my life and my family’s life for a journey in ministry. From my earliest days, I remember being a part of this caring congregation, knowing that I was surrounded with great congregational support and God’s love.
In my youth, I remember looking up to adults in the congregation who served as my mentors and role models of the Christian faith. They showed me how to live the Christian life with selflessness and compassion, walking in the footsteps of Christ. They demonstrated stewardship and care for the neighbor as Jesus first modeled for us. Thank you to all at Esperanza, for the impact that you made on my life. Please never forget that the actions you have taken over the past 35 years have had lasting positive impact on many lives. You have sent Christian disciples out into the world in the best ways possible. I personally — along with my family — have been blessed with the fruits of your faithfulness.
My wife Jessica and I both grew up at Esperanza. Your church served as our home base, the place to learn about and to know God. It was your church leaders – pastoral and lay – who encouraged our faith walk and who paved the road for our life today. It was your church leaders who encouraged me on my path to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor and Jessica’s path to a life of service.
I was happy to follow the encouragement of Pastor Maynard Nelson to attend seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Upon my graduation Jessica and I moved to Mexico to serve as Christian missionaries with Mazahua Valley Ministries. Our first experiences with the mission were Esperanza’s youth service trips. We have served with Mazahua Valley Missions for over 25 years now and still participate today. Thanks be to God for this partnership!
Over the years as a pastor I have served congregations in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska, and now back in Arizona. Jessica serves as a development advisor with the Christian organization Feed My Starving Children, using volunteers to pack meals that feed God’s children throughout the world.
Today, I am the Executive Pastor of Innovation at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. Soon, I will be coming up on 20 years as a Lutheran Pastor. My ministry has a heart for the Bible and Christian teaching. Currently I am teaching classes in the Bible, Christianity, and Biblical Archaeology at Huntington University in Peoria, and previously I taught at Midland University in Nebraska. I thank God for this opportunity. My focus has always been on God’s Biblical story.
Because of what your church taught me, I have continued to share the Gospel with the world and the next generations – all in the name of Christian discipleship. Your church first taught me how and now I teach others.
Early in my ministry I set a goal to visit the land of every story in the Bible. I have nearly completed that goal as my journeys have taken me to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Malta, and many more places in search of God’s Word at its most ‘ground’ level. My research and explorations never end. These voyages have led me to archaeological digs on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, hiking Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey in search of Noah’s Ark, and climbing Mt. Sinai in Egypt to follow the footsteps of Moses when he received the 10 commandments.
I stay closely connected to the Christian academic world and lead many classes and workshops on the rich history of Biblical archaeology. Some of my trips are solo while at other times I invite groups to come with me through the exciting world of the Bible. (Ask me about joining my next Bible trip this June to the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus and Nicaea. I’d love to have you travel with me!)
Esperanza not only influenced my ministry but my wife’s as well. Because of what Jessica learned about Christian service at Esperanza, she has dedicated her life and career to helping others. After earning her undergraduate degree in non-profit studies at Arizona State University she went on to earn her master’s degree in philanthropic studies in Indiana. She has used those skills to work in homeless shelters and women’s shelters. She worked for many years at the wonderful non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity. And, as I shared, today she works with Feed My Starving Children, just down the street from Esperanza in Tempe. Jessica works directly with the donors who help feed children in the more than 70 different countries who are served by the charity. Please stop by their campus and visit sometime!
I share all this only to celebrate that it all started with those who first taught us at Esperanza many years ago. Our life story of service and ministry began at and because of Esperanza. It began because of your faithfulness and loyalty to serving your God. You were and are shining examples of Christ’s light. It is your church that provided the foundation stones for our life story today. Thank you for being a people of hope!
Most importantly, I thank Esperanza for blessing me with my great family. Jessica and I first grew up as children together at Esperanza. Then, God brought us together in marriage at Esperanza in 2005. You set the course for our married life together. And today, we are blessed with two children: Noah (almost 9) and Grace (almost 6). They too are now growing up with the same Christian traditions and values that you first taught us at Esperanza. They know that there is a God who loves them dearly. They love participating in Mexico mission trips and Christmas story productions with the church! Thank you for the example and course that you set for our whole family. I am grateful to you.
God bless you all on your 35th Anniversary! Keep on with your faithfulness as God has more work for you yet! Your story is not done! I look forward to your next 35 years! God bless you and keep you in His Spirit now and forever. Amen!