At the installation of new Deaconess Carole King, center, are, from left, the Rev. Duane Voorman, Deaconess Heather Wathall, the Rev. Jack Hartman, King, the Rev. Roger Nuerge, Deaconess Pamela Voorman, the Rev. Robert Wacker and the Rev. Dan Strussenberg. The ceremony took place July 9 at the chapel in Concordia's Haven II in Jefferson Township.

JEFFERSON TWP — Deaconess Carole King took a long route through Texas, Switzerland and Cameroon before she was installed July 9 at a special worship service in the Haven II chapel, 148 Marwood Road.

Her installation was conducted by First Vice President of the Eastern District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Rev. Dan Strussenberg.

King became one of three deaconesses in the Concordia system. In addition, the 14 locations are covered by four full-time clergymen.

King began her deaconess duties at Concordia in mid-June in support of the efforts of Concordia's Chaplaincy Services staff.

Her duties at Concordia, which will include the Jefferson Township location as well as four others, will center around Concordia residents. “I lead Bible studies, hymn sings. I visit with the residents and do hospital visits,” King said.

“A deaconess in the Lutheran Church is not ordained. They can't preach, administer sacraments or lead worship,” she said.

A graduate of Concordia University of Chicago in suburban River Forest with a bachelor's degree in theology, King did graduate work in linguistics at the University of Texas, Arlington, earned a certificate of French studies in Switzerland and received continuing education credits from the American Association of Christian Counselors.

She served her deaconess internship at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Esko, Minn., and was commissioned as a missionary with Lutheran Bible Translators.

After learning French, she served as a missionary in the African nation of Cameroon for two years.

King said, “I served from 1993 to 1995. It was quite interesting. The goal was to bring literacy and learn the language to preserve the folk tales and music.”

She said the ultimate goal was to translate the Bible into the local language, which was a tall order, she noted, because Cameroon is home to 270 tribal languages.

When she returned to the United States, she taught in a small local Christian school in Valparaiso, Ind., and has been involved in many aspects of congregational ministry.

Before taking up her position at Concordia, King was working as a curriculum designer at the American School of Correspondence in Lansing, Ill.

She has moved to Butler with her rescue dog, Rocky, a basenji.

King said the basenji is an African breed of dog that she encountered in Cameroon.

When the basenji she brought back from Africa died, King said, “I fell in love with the breed and wound up rescuing and fostering them. Rocky was a foster dog that I ended up adopting.”

Concordia CEO Keith Frndak said, “Concordia is blessed to welcome another servant of the Lord, and we welcome her with praise and thanksgiving.”

King said, “I like to serve people and I like to serve God through serving people.”