Editor's note: This story first appeared in the winter 2020 issue of the Hearts Together, a special joint campus magazine publication of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor.
Talk about a family tradition. Aaron Halboth (’24) just started his freshman year at Concordia University Ann Arbor and will be a sixth-generation Halboth to answer God’s call to become an LCMS pastor. Halboth, who is majoring in pre-seminary studies and music, is the first family member of his generation to prepare for pastoral ministry. The lineage traces back to The LCMS’s inception!
As Halboth navigates his classes, new friendships, music lessons, and other cocurricular activities on campus, he’s being prepared in mind, body, and spirit to serve God’s Kingdom, following in the footsteps of five generations before him.
When did you first feel called to become a pastor?
Since I was a kid in Sunday school, I was always interested in the Bible and theology. I went to a church where both my dad and grandpa served as pastors, and I got to see firsthand what it means to be a servant of Christ as they spread the Word of God to the congregation.
You’ll be a sixth-generation pastor in your family. Tell me about that.
Yes, so, Marcus Halboth came to the United States from Germany in the 1800s. He went to the seminary under the direction of C.F.W. Walther, the first president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. His great-grandson, Rev. Dr. Victor Halboth Jr., was my grandpa. It has been a blessing for me to witness my dad and grandpa not only on Sundays, but in their daily lives as pastors: Making phone calls to members, serving the people around them, serving the community.
What are you most excited about in your educational journey hereat Concordia?
I’m just excited about the potential. Four years is a long time, and I know that I will learn a lot. As I prepare to study at the seminary, I’m also studying music. I’ve loved music since fifth grade. I play the bassoon and played bass clarinet in my high school marching band. Now I play the baritone in the Cardinal Regiment and am learning the organ on our awesome organ in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. I can’t wait to serve my future congregation through the gift of music, too.
What are your favorite classes so far and why?
I love my Old Testament class with Dr. Yakimow. He’s a really engaging professor, and the class has led me to think about the Bible in ways I never have before. Our lessons have also helped me to work through some questions I’ve had, which is cool, too.
You graduated high school and started college during a pandemic. How do you hold on to hope?
My friends help to keep me steady for sure.I just started college, and I already have a bunch of really close friends.Also, this is the first time I’ve gone to a private school. I love the Christian environment and going to Chapel every day. Everyone is really friendly here, too. I really am the happiest I’ve ever been.
Interested in church work? CUAA will train and equip you to faithfully teach and preach the gospel. Learn more at blog.cuaa.edu/be-a-churchworker.
The winter 2020 Hearts Together magazine hit mailboxes in mid-November. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, email Jennifer.Hackmann@cuaa.edu.
— Rachel Thoms served on Concordia University's Strategic Communications team from 2015-2022. Any inquiries about this story can be sent to news@cuaa.edu.
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