By Steve & Luann Pheneger (as pictured below): Congregants, Friends, & Roseville Residents
Sunday, September 7 marked an important milestone for Pastor Bob Burmeister: 50 years of ministry at North Heights Church, a true jubilee.
Not only is it Bob’s symbolic year of jubilee, but we are very literally in the year of jubilee as commemorated by the Catholic Church. In the Bible, the 50th-year Jubilee was a radical command from God to the Israelites for liberation, restoration, and economic justice, proclaimed by the blowing of a ram's horn (Leviticus 25). This biblical concept represents a time for both people and land to rest, offering a fresh start and emphasizing that God is the ultimate owner of all land and people. Bob’s life has paralleled this spirit of renewal and grace as he faithfully ministered to anyone who God placed on his path.
Bob met many people throughout his time in college, seminary, pastoral internship, and study abroad that influenced how he ended up in ministry, specifically at North Heights. His college classmate was the director of His Gang, the North Heights youth group in the ‘70s, which was the first connection of many. Then Bob’s many relationships in the Roseville local community led him to be involved in the Roseville Rotary Club. Consequently, his many years in Rotary allowed him and North Heights to accomplish things that otherwise may not have happened. He considers many of these events to be serendipitous, like being on the board of the Roselawn Cemetery, being on the mayor’s commission, spending time in local nursing homes ministering to members, and meeting with other pastors of Roseville and Little Canada churches. Serendipity was the web God Himself created, linking people to people, people to organizations, organizations to a calling.
After becoming part of the North Heights and Roseville communities, Bob was invited to join the North Heights staff by our long-time Senior Pastor Dr. Morris Vaagenes. This calling was confirmed “by a great cloud of witnesses”; God used multiple people and connections to show Bob and Jane that this was where they were to serve until God showed them otherwise.
It was a general understanding from Bob’s upbringing and values that he shouldn’t accept a call that he wasn’t willing to do all his life. He comprehended that the calling was for him to be faithful to the end.
Throughout his time at North Heights, Bob performed many marriages, baptisms and most of the funerals. He also did many of the hospital and home visits, being with people when they were sick or after losing a loved one, even if it meant giving up time with his family on a holiday. People loved to be around Bob. He describes himself as even keeled and able to deal with difficulties through humor. His spiritual gifts are encouragement, giving, and serving, and the family of North Heights can affirm that he exemplifies these well.
There are many personal stories of how his comforting presence was a blessing and how he was in the right place at the right time. One example is that he was installing a shade one day when he had a divine inkling that he needed to get to the hospital. Yet in the moment, the shade took priority, and he continued wrestling with it a few minutes longer before following the prompting. When he finally arrived at the hospital, he headed to the elevator. Right as he was about to get on, a North Heights member exited the elevator. Wrestling with the shade contributed to the perfect timing of him arriving at the hospital. In Bob’s life, even delays lead to more serendipity.
Bob shares he was “infected with the incurable disease that is travelitis” after his first trip to Jersualem in 1970. He’s had the opportunity to travel to many countries, including Japan, Brazil, Papa New Guinea, and much of Europe.
Fishing is Bob’s passion and one of his favorite pastimes, earning him the nickname of “Tackle Box Bob.” His favorite fish to catch is “any one that bites!” Catching the “biggest” fish is always a highlight during fishing trips with a group of guys from North Heights.
As the ram horn blows and Bob’s jubilee signals the end of an official church position, Bob expresses that he would like to see North Heights continue as a church that is faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be an evangelical, biblical witness. He hopes and prays that the next generation be raised up to be disciples and witnesses for Christ.
His work of blessing and reaching people won’t end. It’s evident that not only will Bob continue to be an encouragement to those he comes in contact with, but that he will also be at the right place at the right time, being led by the Holy Spirit for God’s glory.
Pastor Bob’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, compassionate service, and joyful presence. His 50-year Jubilee is not just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of a life well-lived in service to God and others.
He asserts that even though the paycheck stops, “the calling continues.”
His parting words that derive from his own experience are “Be faithful to the end, whenever and however that may come.”
