POCATELLO — David Reichelt may be new to the office of a deacon, but he’s no stranger to church service.

Reichelt, who has more than a decade of experience in leading Sunday worship and Bible study at East Idaho churches, became a licensed deacon over the summer.

He was commissioned on Sunday and will now take over the ministerial duties at Faith Lutheran Church, 856 W. Eldredge in Pocatello, which doesn’t have a pastor of its own.

“I am so humbled and honored to be called by Faith,” Reichelt said. “The whole thing is surreal. I almost can’t describe it.”

Under the supervision of pastors Jonathan Dinger and Jim Von Busch with Grace Lutheran Church, which is considered a sister church, Reichelt said he will lead Sunday worship and Bible study, officiate at weddings and funerals and perform baptisms at Faith Lutheran. He will also work to build a connection between the church and the community in hopes of helping more people to develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

“I love the people at Faith, and I want to see our congregation thrive,” he said, adding that he wants community members to consider the church a warm and safe place where they can learn about God’s love for them. “I’m so excited to lead this type of environment and be a messenger of the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.”

Previously, Reichelt led some Bible studies and worship services at churches in Soda Springs and Aberdeen over the course of 10-plus years as part of the Circuit Rider Ministry. While he was training and studying to become a deacon, he also led worship at Faith Lutheran once a month for approximately a year and a half.

Reichelt is looking forward to the opportunity to continue serving in the work he feels God has called him to do.

“(I want) to put God first in all we try to accomplish and make sure it’s God’s will being done and not mine,” he said. “If I do that and follow the leadership of my supervising pastors, Jonathan Dinger and Jim Von Busch, I think things will fall into place for us and goals such as growth and community connection will happen,” he said.

They’ve already made some changes to help draw younger families and youth to the church, Reichelt said. For instance, they started a Sunday school for youths between the ages of 3 and 16.

Reichelt himself is a family man. He and his wife, Kate, have two children: Will, who is in college, and Mallori, who is a senior in high school.

While he serves as a deacon at Faith Lutheran on a part-time basis, Reichelt says he will continue working at the Nationwide Insurance agency he owns and operates.

Some may also recognize Reichelt as a former sports anchor for KPVI Channel 6 and play-by-play announcer for Idaho State University football and basketball.

He continues to call games for local high school teams.

Reichelt says he’s made his share of mistakes over the years, and some may shake their heads when they find out he’s now a deacon, but he believes in the love, grace and mercy that comes through the sacrifice of his and others’ Savior, Jesus Christ.

“I want to share that message in a loving and friendly way to the congregation of Faith Lutheran and the people of East Idaho,” Reichelt said. “Our Sunday school for both kids and adults is each Sunday at 9 a.m. with worship at 10 a.m. Together we can take a journey to know Jesus.”