With Easter signifying one of the most important events in the Christian faith, many supporters sought out a place of worship for the holiday. However, in an ever-changing landscape of beliefs, it can be difficult to decide what church best suits a person’s own faith. Thankfully, a man by the name of Richard Klakeg hopes to repurpose a relic of the past into a house of worship for all believers in the love of Jesus Christ.
Klakeg attended a recent City Council meeting in Pemberton and spoke briefly about an upcoming rebuild of the old Medo Lutheran Church a few miles south of Pemberton. He has lived most of his life in Santa Barbara, California, but his wife and father were born and raised in Minnesota. “So our roots are planted in Minnesota,” noted Klakeg. He served in the Air Force for several years, but an injury during his service set him on a path of fellowship and faith. He has severed the Love Like Jesus Ministries for many years, and admitted that his career as a missionary began without “me even knowing it” but has been a driving force in spreading the message of love for Jesus Christ. “It is so important to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior; he created us, but so many people are frustrated with the legalism and the formal nature of religion…it’s off putting to many folks and we want to create a place where all believers of Jesus Christ can come and pray and worship.”
Klakeg came across the Medo Lutheran church by happenstance when pursuing locations to found a place of worship as he noted that the location “had been listed as a residential property when we started looking for potential projects.” According to Klakeg, the Medo Lutheran church was founded way back in 1868 and served as a prime location for many to practice their faith. Over the years, whether it be the location of the church or shifting religious ideals, the church soon saw itself struggling to get residents to sit and worship.
With interest in the church waning, the previous owner decided to close the building as a house of God and instead restructured it into a residential home. During the reformation of the building from church to residence, the previous owners sold off much of the sanctuary and parsonage attributed with the church–they even sold the pews. However, in just a few short years after the remodeling, the building was cleaned out completely; leaving nearly any trace that it was a church at one time.
Once he learned more information about the location, Klakeg was certain the once-forgotten church could be restored as a beacon for believers of the Christian faith. “We wanted to create a church that supports and includes all denominations of Christianity. We might have our differences, but the love of Jesus Christ and his sacrifices will be what connects us.” Reconstruction for the church is underway, but Klakeg remarked that one of the initial roadblocks he’s encountered is the lack of a boiler in the building. “That was certainly unexpected when I took over the building, and it’s one of our priorities to replace to make sure people are warm and comfortable when they come to worship.”
Additionally, Klakeg will need help in supplying the church with pews…which he declared is a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to the rebuild. “There’s nothing like a pew when it comes to churches; they’re symbolic in the sense that it brings people together to learn about God and praise His love.”
There isn’t a set deadline for the rebuild of the church and Klakeg noted there “won’t be a label” attached to the church. If anything, the name of the church will center on the Love Like Jesus mantra he has followed so closely. Klakeg, who lives in California, recently hauled a box truck full of donations from California to Pemberton and plans to do so again soon.
Once the project is finished, Klakeg looks forward to sharing the love Christ has for all mankind and to grow the neighboring community’s faith, “We have a lot of work to do before we can make this building a place of worship for the community; it’s going to be a real challenge, but it’s going to be worth it.”
