Get to Know Your Deacs
The Diaconate, Redeemer’s mercy ministry, provides assistance to those in our community with practical, visible needs, while supporting them spiritually. We would like to introduce you to two of our “deacs” (deacons/deaconesses): Laura Fels & Kaleb Chang!
Name of deaconess: Laura Fels
Length of time I’ve attended Redeemer: 19 years
Length of time I’ve served on the Diaconate: 10 years, at different times
The service I attend: 10:30AM East Side Morning
Hobbies: Studying (in seminary), being outdoors, biking, swimming, travel
The last book I read was: Ben-Oni: Son of Sorrow by Agnes Scott Kent
Most people don’t know that I: Am a Redeemer fossil, one of the few Redeemerites who was here before its beginning.
I grew up in: Puerto Rico
My New York neighborhood is: Roosevelt Island
I love New York because: I love being a part of what God is doing here.
How the Lord has been preparing me to serve as a deac: Understanding the grace and mercy God showered on me and the burden to minister that grace and mercy to others.
Memorable experiences from my time as a deac: 1) I had the privilege of leading a client to the Lord. 2) Following a membership interview, I had to make a follow up call to discuss an area of concern. Usually people react negatively. Instead, God convicted her with the Scripture I used, and the next time we met, she was humbly repentant, teachable, and grateful for how God has begun working in her life.
Name of deacon: H. Kaleb Chang
Length of time I’ve attended Redeemer: 7 years
Length of time I’ve served on the Diaconate: 3 years
The service I attend: 10:30AM East Side Morning
Hobbies: Foodie (wines, food), travelling, movies, pen paling, fitness
The last books I read were: Life of Pi by Yann Martel; The Reason for God by Dr. Timothy Keller; The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field; The Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Most people don’t know that I: 1) used to row/crew in college; 2) weigh 200 pounds; 3) almost never say no to dark chocolate.
I grew up in: New York City - Queens; you know, the countryside
Besides NY, I’ve lived in: Buffalo, Boston, South Korea.
The most unique thing that has happened to me in New York City is: One night, I was dressed to the nines at a Lincoln Center gala, the next day I served in a soup kitchen in the Village.
I love New York because: 1) I can get/buy whatever I want, whenever I want it; 2) I can hear ten different languages being spoken before noon; 3) God willing, it’s shaping up to be a “City on a Hill”…
How the Lord has been preparing me to serve as a deac: By training my heart and my actions to grow in mercy and service
Memorable experiences from my time as a deac: Praying with people right after worship service is always a privilege. I’ve had more than a few people returning in the following weeks to share how the times shared in prayer help them in immeasurable ways.
If you have a financial or other practical need, please call the Diaconate Helpline, (212) 726-1334. To learn more about the Redeemer Diaconate, visit www.redeemer.com/diaconate
Thank you for subscribing to the Redeemer Report. If you would like to support the work of Redeemer in NYC, please use the button below to make a gift.
