Pr John Heidenreich (em) celebrates 50 years of ordination

On Sunday 26th December 2021 the 50th anniversary of Pastor John Heidenreich’s ordination was celebrated at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Burnie, North Tasmania. Below are the milestones of Pastor John’s ministry and with special mention of Pastor John’s wife Vonnie and her role in Pr John’s ministry.

We give thanks today for John Heidenreich, who 50 years ago was ordained into the holy office of the public ministry. We praise the Lord for calling his servant to work in his church, and for sustaining him in his work through God’s holy Word, his precious sacraments, and the holy people of God who have encouraged him through the conversations and consolations of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

By God’s grace, John has served the Lord’s people at:
• Bunbury-Collie, WA between 1972 – 1976,
• Hobart, Tas between 1976 – 2000,
• Nhill, Vic between 2002 – 2009 and
• North Tasmania, Tas, between 2009 until his retirement in 2014.

John also served the wider church by serving as a Zone Counsellor in the Wimmera/Mallee zone and here in Tasmania. After his retirement he’s served as a locum in a number of parishes.
He preached the Word of God and administered his holy sacraments faithfully and well. He’s been a loving pastor and shepherd of the flock of Christ and has dedicated himself to ‘being there’ for people in their time of need. God has blessed his church through his ministry.
Vonnie has also been a faithful wife and partner to John in his ministry. She has supported him and his family with patience and humbleness. Her love for John and her trust in her Lord and Saviour has been clearly evident as she serves beside her husband and participates in the work of the church.