A Journey of Faith Across a Turbulent Century
Memoirs of a Refugee Pastor by Philipp Weingartner
How do you find the courage to go on when everything you knew is gone?
That is a question faced by Philipp Weingartner several times in his life. Born into a family of insignificant farm labourers in a town, region, and country erased from our maps, Philipp set out on a journey—both geographical and spiritual—across the front lines of two World Wars, and eventually across an ocean to a new life in Canada. This biographic collaboration between Erich Weingartner and his late father Philipp's writings gives witness to the tenacity of the human spirit. It provides abundant affirmation that commitment to a life of faith can empower ordinary people to become extraordinary in times of great need. Based on diaries, letters, articles and sermons, A Journey of Faith details one man's lived experience of tragedy, survival, and a passion to serve the less fortunate.
"Philipp Weingartner's memoirs are a compelling story of faith, love, courage and commitment to community that puts a personal, deeply human face on the plight and promise of refugees around the world today. Richly annotated by his editor son Erich, drawing on his own decades of work in this field, this is a celebration of what the churches have done over a century to protect and serve displaced persons and a challenge to us all to continue to do so in response to those in need today."
—Rev Dwain C. Epps, International Affairs Director, World Council of Churches (retired)
"This compelling narrative of Pastor Weingartner's faith as it was expressed in the midst of war, privation and forced migration, rhymes with similar narratives that are being lived out in real time today by countless millions in many parts of our world. His story inspires us to address these early 21st century tragedies with the same measure of resilient faith by which Pastor Weingartner engaged the tragic circumstances of his early 20th century lived experience.."
—Rev Dr. Michael J. Pryse, Bishop, Eastern Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
"Most of the first 25 years of my life I lived just around the corner from my grandfather. The stories he told and the faith he lived were a source of inspiration and love. Eventually I followed in his footsteps and became a pastor myself. I am thankful that my grandfather left this legacy for his descendants. His faith illuminates every page of this book. May it inspire all who read it."
—Rev Thomas Arth, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sudbury Ontario.
Pastor Philipp Weingartner ministered to churches in former Yugoslavia, to refugees in post-war Austria, and finally to immigrants in Canada as founder of St. John's Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Ontario.
