Pastor Heimer outside his home as people honked to celebrate

This year, due to COVID-19, people have found a way to uniquely celebrate people and their special days.  For Rev Dr. Karl Heimer, CEO of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) and Senior Pastor at San Pablo Lutheran Church, his 80^th birthday was marked by a once in a lifetime birthday car parade.

Organized by his son, Rev. Stephen Heimer from Zion Lutheran Church, everyone gathered at a near-by parking lot to decorate vehicles and form a caravan line.  The joy on Pastor Heimer’s face as people drove by, honking and waving, streamers and balloons flapping on the wind, was a heart-warming sight for all involved.

Pastor Heimer helps unload produce into the cold room Thursday afternoon

Pastor Heimer has been serving as sole pastor for San Pablo Lutheran Church since 1982, when he and his family moved from Cleveland, Ohio to El Paso, Texas, dedicating himself to this church’s mission to doing ministry for the surrounding Hispanic community.

“Back then, the entire area around San Pablo was heavily impacted by gang violence,” Pastor Heimer shared over lunch, his wife adding how it was so bad, pizza places wouldn’t deliver to the church, “We campaigned our surrounding community to find out what the greatest needs were, and that’s how the Food Emergency Program and our Cornucopia Thrift Shop came about.”

The many areas of mercy YLM is known for, such as the Food Pantry and Servant Event trips, have been taking place long before YLM became a non-profit in 2005.  Pastor Heimer has worked alongside dedicated board members, donors, supporters, volunteers, and staff to ensure God’s work continues to take place in, and through, YLM.

“I’ve seen the passion and the love expressed by staff, volunteers, and donors,” Pastor Heimer shared during a conversation on the continuation of kindness acts despite COVID-19 difficulties, “This place is not mine, it is not about me, it is not for me, but for, and about, the love of God and the love for His people.  I am nothing, a flawed man, but God’s glory is so bright here because we trust in Him.”

Miguel and Pastor Heimer pick up produce donation, which includes loading the pick-up truck

As COVID-19 continues to put restrictions on individuals, businesses, and organizations, Pastor Heimer works alongside his staff to ensure the help given to the communities in El Paso and Juarez continues.  From helping distribute food baskets on Saturday mornings, to picking up a truckload of produce from Quality Fruits and Vegetables, to helping unload thousands of pounds of potatoes from the Orphan Grain Train semi-trailer, Pastor Heimer believes to be a leader, one must put in the sweat equity and serve.

“It’s not a surprise for us when Pastor jumps in to help unload donations or drive the fork-lift or distribute things,” Miguel Muñoz, part of the Adelante Ministries of YLM, shared over lunch after unloading produce, “He’s always been a servant leader, and we’ve learned through him when it comes to God’s work, there’s no job too dirty or too small.”

Pastor Heimer will be the first to say the many blessings taking place at, and through, YLM are not because of any one person.  “God gets all the credit.  He’s in the business of changing lives, of developing and transforming people.  None of us, much less myself, can say we’re responsible for what takes place here at YLM, because it’s obvious to each of us, God alone gets the glory for what is taking place.”