Pastor Tessen answers call

By Dawn Slade
Posted 8/16/02

"Itís the timing of the Lord," said Pastor Bruce Tessen of the Milaca Assembly of God Church regarding his decision to leave Milaca.

Last Sunday (Aug. 11) was Tessenís last service at the Assembly of God Church. He and his family are moving to St. Cloud where Tessen will be an associate pastor at Jubilee Worship Center.

"I love this church and the community. Itís probably the best community Iíve ever lived in," Tessen said.

But Tessen says itís time to move on in his ministry. So, he and his wife Joy, and their children, Joshua, Brittney and Lindsey have been packing boxes and preparing for the move.

Tessen is originally from Appleton, Wis. He went to North Central University in Minneapolis where he received his degree in pastoral studies.

In 1984, Tessen did his ministerial internship in Nigeria, Africa. He later spent time in the Dominican Republic and Malaysia.

Following college, Tessen moved to Detroit and worked as a youth pastor, mostly dealing with troubled youth and their parents.

Tessen was in Detroit for five and one-half years before bringing his family and his ministry to Milaca.

"I felt so loved and welcomed when I first walked through these doors," Tessen said of his coming to the Assembly of God Church in 1994.

The Assembly of God Church in Milaca has a congregation of approximately 150. The Jubilee Worship Centerís congregation is around 350.

But Tessen says he doesnít look at the size of the congregation, but the people within the congregation itself. He is looking forward to working with Pastor Mark Johnson at the Jubilee Worship Center.

"He is a much sought-after teacher/speaker," Tessen said of Johnson.

Tessen says he will miss the people in his congregation and recalled some rather interesting baptisms that took place while he was pastor.

Such as the day Tessen baptized 21 adults in the congregation - in someoneís pool.

Another time, he said a member of the congregation wanted to be baptized in Mille Lacs Lake. In October.

"I had a cold for a week after that," Tessen said with a laugh. But it turned out well, the man eventually became a deacon at the church.

Tessen speaks very highly of his congregation. He was unaware of an offering the members took up to help his family purchase a van. The group raised nearly $6,000 for the Tessens.

"That just blew my mind," Tessen said.

"The people in this congregation are very giving. They have a real heart for people," Tessen added.

Tessen said the church has always been aggressive in evangelism and missions.

"There were times we had such good services that people didnít want to leave. You really felt like the Lord just visited you. There was such a sweet sense of His presence," Tessen said.

Church secretary Yvonne (Von) Dodge, who has been with the church for 10 years, said they have had a good working relationship.

"Heís a man of prayer," Dodge said. Adding that they even pray at staff meetings.

Dodge said of the Tessens, "Itís like you have another family, only you see them more."

She admits sheís saddened by his leaving and will miss Tessen, but adds, "I donít think itís hit me yet."

Both Dodge and Tessen spoke of the water damage that occurred last spring in the churchís basement.

"There was an overwhelming amount of support from the congregation," Tessen said of the cleanup.

Tessen paused before he spoke about having to say good-bye to his congregation.

"We dearly love them and they will always have a place in our hearts. We will never forget them," he said.

The church does not have a replacement yet for Tessen; however, interim pastor Del Yetley, retired pastor from Big Lake/Monticello Assembly of God, will fill in until a new pastor is hired.