Rogers Park, Chicago, IL – On April 5, Olak Sunuwar, a member of the pastoral team at Living Water Community Church in Rogers Park, met with five members of the Church Life Team (CLT) of Illinois Mennonite Conference (IMC). Olak graciously answers questions from the CLT concerning his theology, practice, life experiences, and calling to ministry. After a time of deliberation, Olak was granted a license towards ordination.

Olak was accompanied by his co-pastors Pastor Kristin Jackson, Pastor Stephen Lamp, Pastor Amos Shakya, and staff.  The CLT consisted of Charlotte Lehman, Doug Roth, Curt Fenton, Kim Litwiller and Michael Danner.

Licensing towards ordination initiates a two-year process whereby ordination candidates continue in cooperative ministry with the congregation. At the end of that period, the congregation will either confirm the candidate’s gifts or suggest an additional two-year period of testing. At the end of the licensing period, ordination candidates go through another interview process at the request of the congregation. At the end of that period, candidates are ordained.

Please welcome Olak to the team of credentialed pastors in IMC.  We’re grateful to have him as part of the wider church, even as the congregation of Living Water is blessed by his ministry in their midst.