The Ordained—Laborers for God

Rainer Salomaa was a laborer for God in Canada and the United States—serving on UCG’s Council of Elders in both countries (seven of those years in the United States). He also served on UCG-Canada’s national board for much of the time United has been in existence—about 20 of the 29 years since it was established.

Rainer was also a faithful pastor. When United started in Canada, he was one of five pastors to cover the country. His labors were centered in the “North Country”—Sudbury, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario! He even visited two interested Inuit college co-eds in the Hudson Bay area, traveling by a combination of car, train, sled and likely snowshoe to reach them! In addition to Ontario, Rainer served in Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta.

Rainer was loved by our family, particularly the Cooks and by my wife and I, as we live in Cincinnati and had the opportunity to spend time with him, and sometimes his wife Claudia, when they came for Council and GCE meetings. He loved God, the truth and the brethren.

In the early years of Rainer’s ministry, he and I worked together and traveled frequently. Although I was listed as pastor of Sudbury, North Bay, Rainer was the local minister, serving the area between my trips from the United States to serve in the area. Claudia and the Salomaa’s daughters, Tammy and Sona were contributors to Rainer’s success as a minister of God.

Laborers for God

Scripture provides instruction for the role of a minister. Jesus told His disciples: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Paul spoke of the role of the ministry, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). The King James Version translates “fellow workers” as the word “labourers.”

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.” (2 Corinthians 11:23).

Though ministers are ordained for service, we are all called to serve. Deacons serve, elders serve, brethren serve. “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). It is a privilege to serve!

Learning from Godly Examples

Paul set an example of service by how he lived. “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-9).

We can continue to learn from Rainer Salomaa’s example. God takes note of our service to Him and to each other! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).