Pastor David Modder
By BARB FINSETH
Staff Writer
Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church in Ellendale welcomed Pastor David Modder and his family in May of 2021 to serve as their full-time pastor. Assembly of God churches are a mainline Christian community and the largest Pentacostal denomination, which welcomes people of all faiths and walks of life.
Pastor David was a young follower of Jesus Christ in high school, who grew up in a farming community in central Michigan. He tried several different professions after graduating, but he says, "There was a restlessness in my soul, and I sensed being asked to serve Him as a vocation." David followed this calling years later when he enrolled at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis to pursue the call to full-time ministry. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Cross-Cultural Communications, and met his wife, Jennifer, while they were studying there.
After college, they were deciding where they would locate their ministry when they realized, "The biggest need we saw was in the ethnic variety of our neighborhoods, so we decided to stay in Minneapolis." For the next 23 years, David worked as an "at-home" missionary, starting a church among this diverse community, which was primarily among the large population of Somalis. He later started another church in the area and both of these churches are still active.
During the busy years of ministering, they were blessed with four children: Gabriel, the oldest and recently engaged to Danelle, works and goes to school in the Twin Cities; Caleb and his wife, Angela, are also in the Twin Cities, working and going to school; Joseph lives at home and is finishing his high school senior year in the Post-Secondary Option through Riverland Community College; and their daughter, Alaina, who is entering 7th grade at the Cannon River STEM school in Faribault, where Jennifer is employed.
Several years ago, David was watching his wife contentedly working in her garden when he envisioned another calling; namely "to get my wife on a farm." While they were happily serving in the core of Minneapolis and had, until then, no intention of moving, they began a prayerful quest about this change. When they saw the opening in Ellendale, David interviewed for the position in late 2020, accepted the church offer in February, and they moved to their new home in farming country in mid-June. They live in the parsonage, but remain open to finding a hobby farm where David says he can "pastor chickens as well as the souls of men."
David relaxes with several pastimes including camping, hunting, playing pick-up basketball and disc golf. He also enjoys reading and includes historical or fantasy fiction as favorites. (He cites the Lord of the Rings series as an inspirational contrast of the forces of darkness and Light.) But his most treasured times are the planned family trips they've taken over the years. Each summer, they travel and camp in different areas of the U.S. Two favorite trips stand out for them: one in Colorado staying at a friend's cabin in the mountains, and the other in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at Pictured Rock National Park.
Though it becomes harder to get away now that the kids are older, David was able to join some of his son's friends and their dads in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area over this last Labor Day weekend. Because of the fires and drought, access permits weren't available, so they camped in the Moose Lake area where, amazingly, it rained on and off throughout the weekend. "We were prepared and, despite the rain, had a great time fishing and interacting with our group."
After growing up in a small town, David says he loves returning to the experience of the personal nature of hospitality in this rural community of faith. "We truly have felt loved and accepted in this community that has welcomed us and helped us transition to our new home."
When asked what he likes most about his chosen career, he answered that he, "especially enjoys going out to visit people, being part of their world, and helping them to lift the burdens of this life." The hardest part of his job? "It's the administrative side. I'm not good at that part, and I love those who are and who can support me in this area!"
Does he feel it's a different kind of mission coming to a rural community after a metro environment? He is firm in his reply, he said he thinks, "The mission of every church is the same: to go and make disciples, not of a denomination, but of Jesus Christ; knowing that it is the object of our faith, and not the quality of our faith, that saves us." He goes on to say that he sees his role as, "Letting people know that God is always inviting us to come home to Him." He says this can happen, "as we host church events that welcome people to come and engage with God in a safe and loving place. I work to see His Kingdom of love, joy, and peace realized in Ellendale, as well as in any and all of the surrounding communities."