Bill Stonebraker-FNW Alumnus

Rev. Bill Stonebraker :: 10/27/10

In the spring of 1994 it became clear God was calling me to pastoral ministry at age 44. Part of that discernment included the ability to receive a full M. Div degree while working to support my family--first possible for me at Fuller, Seattle. In the Fall of 1994, I enrolled in the third cohort group. It would take me until 2002 to finish my degree. En route, Fuller NW helped me pass all four ordination exams on my first try, as well as helping me find internships in a nearby prison and two churches. Finally, a few years later, graduation came. Soon after, I started ministry as a part-time tentmaker--pastor of small group ministries in my home church (a God-thing, since it was the only place in the Seattle area I wasn't looking for a pastorate). A couple of years later, in 2005, God blessed us with my first full-time pastorate in a small church in a small town, First Presbyterian Church in Cut Bank, MT. God also blessed me with a ministry to the community as President of the Cut Bank Ministerial Association, which is responsible for most aid to transients and homeless, as well as ecumenical worship services for the town. As a member of Glacier Presbytery I was moderator of its Leadership and Communications committee, which lead to moderator of Presbytery and Presbytery's Council. None of these were roles I would have chosen, yet it was clear God had called, each time ... including the time to leave.In October of 2009, at age 59, we moved to my second full-time pastorate, at Faith Presbyterian Church in Hayden, ID ("north Coeur D'Alene"). It's the only church I know of that chose to build a building with a Lutheran sister-church, St Mark's, 25 years ago. With the exception of its jointly shared women's groups and Properties committees, the two churches are separate--have separate pastors and worship services. We don't know what God has planned here for us. But we do know God's faithfulness.