Today on Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate Preisinger sits down with longtime Bethany Lutheran member Sylvia Boedeker about her faith journey, from small-town Iowa to churches in Hawaii, Michigan, and beyond. Born to German immigrant parents, Sylvia shares how faith, family, and a deep reverence for nature have shaped her life and kept her rooted in church.
Sylvia opens up about working as a physical therapist, attending Bible study, and why church is one of the only places where she truly feels like she can breathe.
Whether you’re someone who finds God on a mountain hike or in the rhythm of Sunday worship, Sylvia’s reflections will help you see how faith weaves through every part of life, and why being part of a church community still matters.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How nature and liturgy can be both sacred spaces
What it’s like growing up as a child of immigrants with a strong sense of identity
How church provides a unique space for respectful dialogue and spiritual growth
The power of consistency, community, and connection in sustaining a lifelong faith
Why Sylvia says church is “one of the few places I can breathe”
🎧 Tune in now to hear Sylvia’s beautiful reflections and honest answers to our favorite question: Why are you still here?