Dr. Cal Streeter, a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, is the new board president for Austin City Lutherans. Professor Streeter recently retired from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas-Austin. He’s been a vital part of ACL’s Move-In Ministry for the past two years.
The Rev. Brad Highum, after eight plus years as ACL board president, is stepping down. Pastor Brad has been a leader with Austin City Lutherans since its inception in 2011. He recently retired from full-time ministry, after having served at Abiding Love Lutheran Church the past thirteen years.
Speaking for myself, as director of ACL since 2018 – it’s been a blessing to have worked closely with Brad. His vision and commitment, steady spirit, wisdom based in varied experiences, and fervent faith have greatly enhanced ACL’s growth in scope and purpose.
Brad shares the following: “I’ve been blessed to serve with Austin City Lutherans since its founding, through the last eight years as president. Together we have created vital ministries that are helping to meet critical needs throughout our community. Working with our board, congregations and host of volunteers has been a highlight of my vocational life and calling. By God’s grace we have done great work together, with the promise of even brighter accomplishments to come. It is the right time to welcome new leadership to help us launch into ACL’s next chapter of growth and development.”
Glenn Hjelm, a member of Gethsemane and a main cog in our Move-In Ministry effort, emailed me in the spring of 2023 saying that he had a “new recruit” for our team. I promptly emailed the new recruit – Cal – and invited him along. He showed up the next week at a “furniture harvest” (our term for picking up furniture) with his pickup truck and a cargo trailer. Cal does have a Ph.D. – he’s a smart guy – but back in the day, he owned his own auto mechanic shop in his native Nebraska. He’s smart and he’s handy – just the kind of person we love having on the move-in team.
Cal writes: “I began volunteering with ACL’s Move-in Ministry in the spring of 2023. I’ve enjoyed working with Tim and the dedicated team of volunteers who make this ministry such a vital part of the effort to house those experiencing homelessness in Austin. As I’ve learned more about the larger mission of ACL and discussed ideas for its future with Tim, Brad, the board of directors, and other volunteers and supporters, I’ve been inspired and invigorated by the new opportunities ahead. I’m humbled by the opportunity to join the board and serve as president, and I look forward to working with all supporters of ACL as we continue to look for unique opportunities to expand efforts to address the issues of poverty, hunger and homelessness in Austin. I believe we’ve been called by God’s grace to pursue this mission and through our efforts we share God’s love with all.”
Cal is also a leader at Gethsemane’s weekly food pantry distribution, and previously he served as a founding member of the board of directors for ECHO, Austin’s lead non-profit organization to combat homelessness.
Later this year, ACL will hold an event – replete with good food and music – to say thanks to Brad and to allow volunteers and supporters to greet Cal and have a chance to talk, one with another, about the present and future of ACL efforts.
Until then, we’ll continue to share food and hope at Bread For All Food Pantry; we’ll support Mariposa FLC as it cares for infants and educates toddlers, its doors open to families who typically can’t afford high-quality childcare; and, we’ll provide furniture and household items for folks, previously on the streets, newly housed in apartments or duplexes.
In all of this, thanks be to God who calls us forward to love and serve our neighbors in the name of Christ.
– Pastor Tim Anderson