The Commencement Service for Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, which included the assignment of calls, occurred on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in Trinity Chapel. The Rev. Daniel Basel served as preacher, Pres. Gaylin Schmeling served as liturgist, and Mr. John Baumann was the organist. The sermon was based on Matthew 10:16 with the theme “Wise Yet Gentle Servants.” In the sermon, Pastor Basel explained that those in the public ministry should be wise as serpents and gentle and harmless as doves. The public servant will be shrewd, properly using the good things of this world for the kingdom, and gentle and harmless, causing no offense to the Gospel. They will use every effort to proclaim the full forgiveness of sins in our crucified and risen Savior.
Jacob Kempfert was assigned as vicar of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church (Mankato, Minnesota), Ethan Urtel was assigned as vicar of Hartland Lutheran Church (Hartland, Minnesota) and Manchester Lutheran Church (Manchester, Minnesota), and Karim Yaghleji was assigned as vicar of Bethany Lutheran Church (Port Orchard, Washington).