New Students, Fall 2001

Javier's fire

Becoming a pastor has been Javier Davila's calling since childhood. Javier, a native of Puerto Rico, first expressed a desire to serve the Lord at age nine. He came to America a few years later to live with his aunt in Union City, NJ. Shortly after his arrival, he found a church home at Bethany Lutheran Church, North Bergen, NJ. He soon began to take on a leadership role as the pastor's assistant. He became involved at the congregational and synodical levels and served as a voting member at the New Jersey Synod Assembly. Through it all, Javier's fire for the Lord continues to burn brightly. As he sat reflecting on his religious experiences, he was overwhelmed with joy. "I felt a burning inside of me, a happiness so big it has brought tears to my eyes," he said. Eventually, Javier attended Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, as part of the Upsala at Wagner Program, which helps develop minority leaders for the church. He graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Javier knows that he has much to learn before his ordination. However, he has faith that God will guide him and continue to send positive people to accompany him on his journey of faith.

Karyn Denise Bodenschatz | Perucy Butiku | Javier Dvila
Diedone Diela | Linda Furia | Cheryl Hensil | Claus Hoppe
Marjorie Keiter | Aaron Klink | Kimberly Leffler
Karen B. Safstrom | Shelly Satran | Crystal Schrader
Judith Sullivan | Gloria W. Walker | Richard Yost