Ben Radtke enjoyed a 17-year career in Southern California as a songwriter and lead singer for contemporary Christian bands.

It was a combination of experiences, including studying at Harvest for Christ Bible College in San Diego, lecturing at the school on prayer for four years and rubbing shoulders with pastors in his music ministry that were the seeds for change.

An experience that Radtke had in the Philippines last spring prompted him to begin to move down a new career path that has brought him to Northeast Oregon.

Radtke, his wife Debby, and their four sons, Brooks, 10, Ryan, 7, Samuel, 4, and Will, 2, sold their home in Murrieta, Calif., last summer and moved to Union to start a church.

"I was in Mindanao in the Philippines in April to do some concerts," Radtke said.

Radtke had been invited by Pastor Alex Montanano to share his music in the island nation for two weeks.

Radtke said he saw in Montanano "the essence of Christian love" in the way he reached out to people to meet their needs.

"He (Montanano) had an impact on me. I realized that being a pastor was my calling."

The move from being a singer and worship leader with Calvary Chapel churches in Southern California to starting a new church, the Union Christian Fellowship, happened over the course of a few months.

The new pastor said something of a mystery surrounded the family’s move.

Radtke became aware of Union when he came to La Grande to be ordained to the ministry with Life Exchange Ministries.

But several months earlier, while the Radtkes were still in California, the word "trailblazer" kept coming to Radtke’s mind. His wife was continually impressed with the word "union" but had no idea what it meant.

"These were words that kept coming up in our hearts," Radtke explained.

The minister knows now that "trailblazer" refers to his role as an apostle-missionary in starting a new church, and "union" referred to the community where that church would be.

Strong people in Union

Radtke said the essence of his new church can be summed up in a Bible verse, Proverbs 14:26: "Reverence for God gives a man deep strength. His children have a place of refuge and security."

The new pastor said he’s been impressed with the strength of the people he’s found in Union, and particularly those who are descendants of pioneers.

"People in this area are people of real, deep strength. Their grandfathers showed a great deal of courage in settling here. That courage has been passed down to their children."

Radtke said his goal at Union Christian Fellowship is to encourage the people to use their spiritual gifts in serving the Lord.

"My vision as a local pastor is to equip and raise up other ministers and send them out with their gifts and callings for the purpose of Christ."

Radtke encourages people to practice their gifts, even if it involves preaching.

"I’ve met a lot of young, frustrated preachers. That frustration comes from the lack of opportunity," he said. Radtke is allowing men in the church with preaching gifts to speak from 10 to 15 minutes during the service.

One example is Ray Nelson, who grew up in Union but moved on to Tennessee, where he worked as a carpenter and framer before returning to Union.

"He (Nelson) has a wonderful teaching gift," Radtke said. "His wife, Wendy, has a wonderful hospitality gift."

Ministry opportunities in his church also extend to children, the pastor said. Four children, including two of his own, Brooks and Ryan, are members of the Sunday morning worship team.

The worship service and Sunday school begin at 10 a.m. Services are being held at the Union VFW Hall at Main and Birch streets.

Radtke said Union Christian Fellowship is a non-profit organization under Ben Radtke Ministries. Radtke’s mother, Robin Parks, operates the ministry office in San Diego.

Radtke is encouraged with the response he’s received so far in Union. The church rallied to offer a dinner to the community on Thanksgiving.

"The people are behind us," he said.

Radtke admits the move from music ministry in Southern California to pastoring a church in Northeast Oregon can be a little unsettling, but he’s trusting God for the results.

"I stepped out of my comfort zone for God, but underneath are (His) everlasting arms."

Story by Dave Stave