Today we’d like to introduce you to Vernon Burger.
Hi Vernon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was raised in an immensely abusive home, but eventually came to know Jesus when I was 19. My sister, who is 17 months older than me, was the one who mainly raised me and eventually told me about Jesus, after she became a Christian at Mizzou, her freshman year. I pretty much immediately started getting involved in Africa. I am the Founder/CEO of a non-profit called His Voice Global. We have been working in East Africa (South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya) for over 20 years. Through the years I always knew I had a pastoral heart and wanted to combine being a pastor in the US and also continue to run HVG. We started attending Lakeland Community Church about one year before they hired me to be the new Lead Pastor.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The people of Lakeland are absolutely incredible, kind, and generous. From this perspective, it has been smooth. Yet, with any transition there are always difficulties. Some of the struggles are more from a personal perspective. There can be quite a bit of self-doubt to wrestle through, yet the people we have are safe and encouraging, so this helps quite a bit.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My Phd is in biblical lament and poetry. I believe my “personal calling” is to see and express a poetic life where people feel invited to embody their own honest story. Poetry is fundamental to how I operate. Seeing life through this lens helps both from a creative aspect, but also in how to walk with people, especially in the midst of deep angst and grief. Ultimately, being a poet, who is also a pastor and CEO has allowed me to not trivialize the pain of others, while also learning to show up in creative ways that can be helpful for those, especially in the midst of disorientation.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe risk taking has been a huge part of my life. When we started His Voice Global we literally had nothing, not one dime. Yet, we stepped out and also worked incredibly hard to provide. Over the years the idea of risk taking can be simultaneously energizing and draining.
Contact Info:
- Website: lakelandcommunity.org and hisvoiceglobal.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpnm9FQTB-DKQkZMgaiYwJkjZ1UFygC1r
