Witnesses to the Nations

The Rev. Dcn. Zach Croonquist
Written By The Rev. Zach Croonquist

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he spends 40 days with his disciples. On the day of his ascension to heaven, he tells his apostles that they will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of his life and resurrection to Jerusalem and the ends of the earth. What was their early ministry like and how did God work through them to spread the gospel in their own culture and to the greater Greco-Roman world? What does it mean for us to live as present-day witnesses in the culture God has put us in?

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40

You can also listen to this sermon via Apple Podcasts here.

The Rev. Zach Croonquist

Zach began his role as curate in June 2023. The main goal of a curacy is to work closely with and be mentored by our church’s deacons and priests to gain experience and training under seasoned clergy. Since his curacy started, Zach was ordained to the diaconate in November 2023 and then into the priesthood in October 2024.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Zach attended Gustavus Adolphus College, a small liberal arts college with a Swedish Lutheran heritage in St. Peter, MN. In June 2019, he graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Religion. After a gap year serving as a missionary volunteer in Belgrade, Serbia, Zach felt the Lord was clearly calling him to further theological education and a vocation in ordained ministry. In May 2023, he graduated from Duke Divinity School with an M.Div. and certificates in Anglican Studies and Worship.

In his free time, Zach enjoys drinking coffee (bonus points if it’s at a cool local coffee shop), craft beer (especially at breweries), hiking, bingeing Netflix shows, most any activity on or around water, and spending time with friends and family.

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