Faces of Faith – Hakim

Hakim Kon came to Canada in December 2022 to be with his wife, Nyariek. It wasn’t the first time God turned his life upside down. As a young man, he was impacted by the violence in South Sudan but decided long ago that he wanted to use his life to reach others with the words of God’s mercy. When he got to Canada, he was welcomed by the South Sudanese community and found our WELS mission church in Surrey, serving people from the Nuer tribe.

Hakim had a background in theological training, so after getting confirmed in the summer of 2023 while trying to get settled with his wife in a new country and pursue a cybersecurity degree, God turned his life upside down again. This time it was the request of his new congregation to be an elder and to consider training in our Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI).

Hakim is learning what it means that Jesus gives some to be pastors and teachers to build and equip his church for works of service. This new husband, new immigrant, new student, and new worker (and very recently new father!) is adding “PSI student” to his list of vocations as he is equipped to lead in the church. But Hakim believes it is more than worth it: “I focus on the Lord because he continues to surprise me from time to time. His mercy and love changed my life. I have that confidence that he can use me to change others’ lives.”

Written by Geoff Cortright, pastor at Saviour of the Nations Lutheran Church in Vancouver, BC