On Sept. 11, during daily chapel at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) International Center in St. Louis, the Rev. Dr. Cory Rajek was installed as executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM).
LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison preached for the service on Matthew 5:33–42. Quoting verses 39–40 (“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well”), he joked that the reading was “perfect advice for budget season around here.”
Turning serious, Harrison spoke of those who are formally called to serve as missionaries, both ordained and commissioned, as well as of those who, as part of the priesthood of all believers, carry God’s Word into their daily lives.
“The office of missionary pastor is a divine institution,” Harrison said. “It is from above … God’s own mandate and institution.”
But, he added, “every one of us has the duty to proclaim Christ’s excellencies” and to speak God’s Word to our spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, coworkers and others. “God uses Balaam’s asses like us to wing His Gospel across the world in every nook and cranny. … How wonderful.”
Turning to Rajek, Harrison said, “You are here to be a blessing. … The opportunities are great, the funding is there, the iron is hot. Let us strike. The priesthood are all behind us. Let’s go.”
The Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan, president of the LCMS Missouri District, served as liturgist and officiant for the service.
Rajek began serving as OIM executive director in January. Previously, he was an LCMS missionary based in Riga, Latvia, where he served as a theological educator at Riga Luther Academy and as associate regional director and then regional director of the LCMS Eurasia region. Prior to his call to the mission field, Rajek served as a parish pastor for over 21 years, five of which were as senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Pierre, S.D.
Rajek received a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry/Theological Languages from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He also has a Master of Arts in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis.; an executive certificate in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.; and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee.
Following Rajek’s installation, LCMS Chief Mission Officer Rev. Kevin Robson said, “Cory, we are absolutely delighted that you are serving the church in this role.”
In his comments, Rajek thanked his wife, Jennifer, noting the many responsibilities that necessarily fall to the missionary spouse. He then thanked “all of our missionaries serving overseas, all 99 of them. I thank and praise God for their faithful service all over the world. That’s what we are called to do in the OIM — plant Lutheran churches to make Christ known — and that’s what we will continue to do as we move forward.”
Rajek and Jennifer, who serves as executive administrative assistant to the Synod’s chief administrative officer, have two adult daughters, Emiley and Alexis.
Posted Oct. 3, 2024
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