Joel Heckmann Photo: Kendra Whittle
When Joel Heckmann needed to write a research paper on a 鈥渢opic of interest鈥 for his LCMS history class at SA国际传媒, no subject immediately came to mind 鈥 until he mentioned the assignment to his grandparents, who suggested he look no further than his own family tree.
That鈥檚 when Heckmann discovered that his great-great-great grandfather, Johann Andreas Frederick Wilhelm (J.A.F.W.) Mueller, made LCMS history 170 years ago as SA国际传媒鈥檚 first graduate.
What began as a research paper turned into an inspiration for Heckmann, who is on track to graduate in May with a Master of Divinity. The seminarian was surprised to learn that his historic ancestor began pastoral ministry during a culture, as Heckmann notes in his paper, wrought with 鈥淕odless politicians and financiers, cheap thrills and
promiscuous men and women.鈥
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 sound too different from today,鈥 Heckmann said.
Different paths to Seminary
Rev. J.A.F.W. Mueller, the first graduate of SA国际传媒, and the great-great-great grandfather of seminarian Joel Heckmann. Photo: Klett family archives
J.A.F.W. Mueller 鈥 whose many initials prompted colleagues to bestow the nicknames 鈥淎.B.C.鈥 Mueller and the alphabet pastor 鈥 was ordained in 1847, the same year the Synod was founded.
This pioneering pastor served 53 years, a staunch advocate for youth and Lutheran schools and a tireless shepherd to congregations in St. Louis, Chicago, Pittsburgh and beyond, during what Heckmann describes as 鈥渄angerous and calamitous times.鈥
鈥淚n doing the research, I saw how much he did for the church, for the Synod and for Christ, and how he was loved by so many people,鈥 Heckmann said. 鈥淭he more I learned, the more I admired him and wanted to follow in his footsteps.鈥
Those footsteps can be traced to the log-cabin Lutheran school in Altenburg, Mo., started by emigrants from Germany who included Mueller鈥檚 family. In 1839 at age 14, Mueller enrolled in the first class, taught by C.F.W. Walther and other Synod founders.
After a theology program was developed to train pastors, Mueller eventually completed the program in St. Louis in 1847.
Heckmann calls his own path to the Seminary 鈥渃ompletely different鈥 from that of his trailblazing ancestor, who endured a rigorous journey to America and began his studies amid 鈥渟uffocating poverty鈥 and 鈥減ervading pestilence.鈥
Growing up in Sioux Falls, S.D., Heckmann enjoyed 鈥渉elping out at church, going through confirmation and helping people in general.鈥 He felt a pull toward the pastoral ministry during confirmation with his pastor and as a student in the pre-seminary program at Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward.
鈥淭hose experiences exposed me to concrete aspects of being a pastor and gave me the confidence that this was something God created me to do,鈥 said Heckmann, whose father and grandfather also are Seminary graduates 鈥 Dr. Robert Heckmann (鈥84) and Dr. Robert Heckmann (鈥51).
Balancing pastoral duties, home life
During his second year of studies, Heckmann tackled the research assignment for the class taught by Dr. Gerhard H. Bode Jr. The Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly published the article, 鈥淧astor J.A.F.W. Mueller: A Faithful Shepherd of Souls,鈥 last year.
Heckmann鈥檚 paper provides interesting glimpses into the life and ministry of Concordia鈥檚 first graduate, including how:
- Mueller ignored his health to visit the sick, knowing 鈥渉ow precious the Gospel was to them,鈥 Heckmann writes. A 鈥減articularly treacherous鈥 series of calls to his flock in Johnsburg, Pa., led to diphtheria and smallpox and, eventually, vision loss in one eye.
- Although widely regarded as a beloved pastor, Mueller angered some imbibers in Pittsburgh when he 鈥渃ame down strictly鈥 on drinking and saloons. Answering the parsonage door one night, he narrowly missed an axe careening toward his body. 鈥淎pparently, J.A.F.W.鈥檚 message had gotten to the men,鈥 Heckmann writes.
- Mueller served in many roles 鈥 helping to organize the Synod around the Lutheran Confessions, teaching confirmation 鈥渨ith a firm but affectionate approach鈥 and delivering essays at theological conferences. He also took care to balance his pastoral and scholarly duties with his home life, working with his first wife, Jane, 鈥渕aking butter, drawing water from the well, soaking beans 鈥 and a host of everyday tasks.鈥
Mueller died in 1900 after preaching at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, Ill., where he had served since 1875. The procession of mourners stretched nearly a mile in a city with a gloom 鈥渁s dark and deep as though a loved member of each family had been lost,鈥 the local newspaper reported.
鈥楪reat opportunity鈥 to continue example
Following such an historic legacy feels 鈥渁 little daunting,鈥 said Heckmann, whose first call to pastoral ministry is fast approaching. But he credits 鈥渁 host of amazing professors, classmates, family and friends鈥 with helping him 鈥渘ot only learn more about my faith but also for equipping me with the tools I need to be a faithful and caring pastor.鈥
Bode, Seminary archivist and associate professor of Historical Theology, called Heckmann an excellent student and 鈥渇ine young man. He is well suited to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestor. Of course, I don鈥檛 have any historical evidence to support the claim, but I expect that J.A.F.W Mueller would be proud of him.鈥
Heckmann said he finds encouragement in his great-great-great grandfather. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 let cultural challenges bring him down,鈥 Heckmann said. 鈥淗e was a faithful pastor, kind and caring, who preached the Word of God with boldness yet in a way that people could understand.鈥
鈥淲hat a great opportunity I have to continue his example,鈥 said this future pastor, who looks forward to serving 鈥渨herever the church needs me.鈥