Friends and family of John Aitken II gathered to participate in and celebrate his ordination on Sabbath, Jan. 21. "This is a high day,” announced Scott LeMert, Oregon Conference assistant to the president, to a very full Scappoose–St. Helens Church.
“The calling to ministry is a very, very special and sacred process,” said Don Livesay, Oregon Conference president. “We believe God has called John to be a gospel minister for Jesus Christ.”
Blended into the church’s 11 o’clock worship service, the ordination featured a special musical piece performed by the choir, a sermon by Livesay, and a presentation of the ordination candidate by Aitken’s father, Pastor John Aitken I. Immediately following the ordination prayer, Tom Lemon, Oregon Conference ministerial director, welcomed Aitken to the gospel ministry.
“You see life in pictures,” Lemon said. “You create for people a picture of [God’s] cause …. As long as this world exists and you have breath, God has a ministry for you.”
John, Anna, and JD Aitken (Gary McLain)
