I thought this title might get your attention. No, it’s not autobiographical. It’s actually the title of a new book which was authored by a fellow Baptist pastor and chaplain, Owen Juhlke (pronounced “Jewel-Key”). He lives in Fonthill and I enjoyed a nice visit with him recently.
Instead of me trying to summarize his book, I thought I’d try an interview format this time. Here goes…
Owen, tell us a bit about your family and what brought you to Fonthill.
I’ve been married to Helga for 37 years. We have been blessed with four children and six grandchildren. We moved to Fonthill from Lindsay, ON to be closer to our mothers who both were in Long-Term Care facilities at the time.
Tell us a bit about your ministry journey so far.
I entered into seminary in 2004 when I was 42. I started as a Chaplain in a Long-Term Care home in Vineland. From there we moved to Durham, ON, where I pastored Durham Baptist Church. After that we moved to Lindsay, ON, for a year (my “annus horribilis”!). From there we moved to Fonthill. I was interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Beamsville for 18 months. Then, we planted [started] a church in Vineland called “The Way Community Church,” which just recently closed after six years.
I can see you’ve had a wide variety of ministry experiences. I understand that this is your first book. What prompted you to write it?
I did not draw a salary during the time we planted the new church. To earn an income, I started a home renovation business. This past May I broke my kneecap and took four months off to recuperate. During that time my wife suggested that I write a book about “God moments” that have happened during our time in ministry. So, I did.
Yes, always good to listen to your wife! Of the 19 stories that you tell in the book, which one is your favorite and why?
That’s a hard one to answer! It would probably be The Wayward Son. I was asked to conduct the funeral for a 19-year-old man, who I did not know, who had died after an accident. His parents asked me to not be too preachy in the message, as they were not believers. However, when I looked at his Facebook page, I discovered that he was a Christian. So, I incorporated many of the Bible verses he had posted into the message. There were over 300 people at his funeral, of which over 200 were teenagers, who were able to hear the Word of God as spoken through their friend. His parents were very pleased with the message.
I noticed there was some good humor in several of your stories. Which one was the funniest for you and why?
The one that the book is named after –The Clergyman who Couldn’t even Pray for a Cat. I was asked by an older gentleman (an atheist) if I could pray for him. As I began, he stopped me almost immediately and told me, ‘You call that a prayer? Man, you couldn't even pray for a cat—K-A-T!” Of course, I laughed, but as I tell in the book, the conversation changed quite dramatically and turned into a holy moment.
Which one was the saddest and why?
The Dirty Boxer. First off, I got punched in the gut when I walked into the room to provide spiritual care for a man who had just lost his wife to cancer. I didn't see that coming. As the family arrived there was much sadness, and anger, due to the selfish actions of the Dirty Boxer.
Wow. And which one was the most fulfilling “God moment” and why?
The Frequent Flyer story was very meaningful to me. The story encompasses many months, and many conversations and prayers. It ultimately ended with a young woman becoming a Christian just weeks before she died.
Was writing your first book a good experience and do you think you may write another one sometime?
It was a good experience. I was able to relive all these “God moments” once again. I also wrote it in order to share with others that God is alive and active, that He does interact with us. I am currently working on a book on the last book in the Bible, Revelation. I also have a few other ideas that may be possible books.
If this interview has piqued someone’s interest, how can they get a copy of your book?
I have copies at my home, or through Amazon.ca. I can be contacted by email at: [email protected].
I thank Owen for this interview and for sharing so openly in his book. He talks about his own spiritual journey to faith and ministry in a couple of chapters, which I also found very interesting and encouraging (readers will need to get his book to read about that). And congrats on the “cat-chy” title!
May God continue to bless Owen and his wife with many more “God moments” in this new year!
Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who has never written a book.
