The Rev. Thomas Saddler, pastor of Christ Temple Church, and John Deang, pastor of  African Immigrant Ministries at Christ Lutheran Church, will be commissioned Sunday as vicars in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Being named vicar is a step toward ordination as a full minister in the denomination. 

In addition to leading Christ Temple, a nondenominational, multiethnic church whose building at 500 N. 25th St. is in the process of renovation, Saddler also will be pastor of urban ministries for Christ Lutheran. 

Deang, a native of Sudan, has led the African Immigrant Ministries for six years, during which time it has grown from only three families to more than 100 participants in Bible study and biweekly worship services. The growth of the ministry is due to "the work of the Holy Spirit," Deang said.

Saddler has been pastor of Christ Temple for seven years. A year ago the congregation began a major renovation project on the historic church in the Malone neighborhood, with financial and volunteer assistance from Christ Lutheran. For several months the congregation met in the chapel at Christ Lutheran, but now has begun meeting at the Malone Community Center, 2032 U St.  About 70 attend each Sunday, Saddler said.

Saddler said he hopes the congregation can begin worshipping in the restored and remodeled building at 500 N. 25th St. in November.

Christ Temple will be the location of Christ Lutheran's urban ministries program, which reaches out to families in central Lincoln, said S T Williams, missions pastor at Christ Lutheran. The African Immigrant Ministries program serves refugees and immigrants from Sudan and several other African countries.

Christ Lutheran also sponsors a Latino ministry, led by lay minister Ramon Marcano, from Venezuela.  Marcano is training to become a vicar, Williams said.

Deang is working toward a ministerial degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Saddler is working toward a degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

Saddler said that Christ Temple will remain a nondenominational congregation, while benefitting from his Lutheran seminary training. Asked whether the church might eventually join the Missouri Synod Lutheran denomination, Saddler said, "We have to give it to the Lord and see what happens."

The commissioning service for Deang and Saddler will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Christ Lutheran, 4325 Sumner St.

Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or at breeves@journalstar.com.