Chris
Langkamp '95
Heeding God's Call To
Ministry
On a map, the difference
between Chicago's West Side and its western suburbs is but a thin line.
In reality, they are worlds apart. One Trinity alum is building a bridge
between those two worlds, connecting his past upbringing with his present
ministry to create a promising future. Chris Langkamp '95 founded Lampstand
Ministries, a full-service outreach that offers hope, direction, and opportunity
to dozens of less fortunate men and women.
Langkamp grew up in west
suburban Lombard, Illinois, and had virtually no experience with ethnic
diversity. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois, which borders the Windy City's
West Side, with his wife, Naomi, and sons, Gary and Caleb. He acknowledges
that as God renewed his heart, he renewed his mindset.
"God planted seeds for full-time
ministry in my heart through short-term missions trips," Langkamp recalls,
"and He's watered and nurtured that desire for some time now. Lampstand
is my way of allowing Him to use me in reaching His people.
"I had to work through some
misconceptions about other races. The Lord wants us to look at people through
Christ's eyes-He didn't create people accidentally, and there are no sections
in heaven."
Don't mistake Lampstand as
a vending machine that dispenses handouts to the next droopy-eyed seeker
who gives it a shake. Nothing is free with Langkamp; each person who gets
help must have a vested interest in the work of
the ministry.
"We don't just give groceries
or rent money to anyone," he says. "There is no long-term benefit if we
only address their physical needs. They must have a secure relationship
with us. We hold them accountable and measure their growth in the Lord."
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