Robert Wacker, his wife, Katherine, and their 13-month old son, Tobias “Toby,” are moving to Western Pennsylvania as Wacker takes up his duties as Concordia chaplain later this month.

JEFFERSON TWP — Robert Wacker will be ordained and installed June 12 at a special 3 p.m. worship service in the Haven II Chapel, 148 Marwood Road, Entrance 5.

After his ordination, Wacker will serve as chaplain to the various Concordia locations. He will conduct worship services, Bible classes and whatever duties a pastor normally has for a congregation.

The Rev. Jack Hartman, director of chaplaincy services at Concordia Lutheran Ministries, made the announcement recently.

The Rev. Barry Keurulainen, pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church, 330 Hannahstown Road, Cabot, will conduct the ordination and installation.

Wacker graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., in March. He served as a vicar at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Memphis, Tenn., and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Oakland, Tenn.

“I finished my studies at the seminary and I’ve just been waiting for a call like the one that I received from Concordia Lutheran Ministries,” said Wacker.

Wacker said church authorities go through the candidates and assign them to different parishes and ministries throughout the country.

“I was studying to be a pastor and this is one form of being a pastor,” said Wacker. “But it’s not about what I want to do but where God has called me to serve.”

Born and raised in Illinois, Wacker attended Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park and attended Concordia Lutheran Church in Berwyn, his home congregation.

Wacker met his wife, Katherine “Katie” Sterling, at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest where he majored in graphic arts.

The couple was married in 2012 at her home congregation, St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumburg.

The couple has a 13-month old son, Tobias “Toby.”

“We are excited to move to Pennsylvania and to have this opportunity to serve as chaplain at Concordia,” said Wacker. “My family looks forward to finding a church home in the greater Cabot area,” he added.

“It seems like a really wonderful place,” said Wacker of Concordia. “I’m packing up even as we speak. It’s getting exciting.”

Wacker will be the fourth full-time chaplain to cover the spiritual needs of the Concordia locations in Western Pennsylvania in addition to three full-time deaconesses.

Concordia President and CEO Keith E. Frndak said, “We are particularly blessed to welcome this servant of our Lord.”