Success Story
Rachelle McCalla
Pastor
The trend, of course, is for many young adults to leave Nebraska, to say farewell to the place where their parents live, in search of a new, more exciting life. Ray and Rachelle McCalla followed the fleeing crowd. But earlier this month, they found their way back.
Rachelle is the daughter of Ryan and Kerry Richter of Norfolk. After graduating from Norfolk High in 1996, Rachelle left her hometown for Hastings College. Ray McCalla, originally from Clarinda, Iowa, graduated from Northwest Missouri State and then went on to get his master’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A summer job in 1999 at Camp Calvin Crest, just outside of Fremont, brought the two together. But at summer’s end, Ray left for the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and Rachelle went back to complete her studies at Hastings College.
But like many young adults, she didn’t consider returning home. She was determined to explore more exciting options, like Princeton Seminary. Eventually, though, she ended up in Dubuque with Ray. After receiving their master’s degrees in divinity, the McCallas made their way to a number of cities throughout the country, including Columbia, S.C., and Bayfield, Wis., where they were co-pastors of a Presbyterian congregation. Columbia was overused and underserved, according to Rachelle. The large city was spread out all over. Wisconsin was also a disappointment, and proved to be a desolate environment. “We felt isolated from people,” Ray said.
The McCallas gradually came to realize that they really wanted to make their home in Nebraska. “We wanted to be closer to family, familiar climate and closer to our roots,” Rachelle said. Rachelle sat with their 4-month-old daughter, Eleanor, and gently bounced her on her knee. “Ellie” giggled; unaware that she, along with 2-year-old brother, Henry, had played a major role in the family’s relocation.
The McCallas were impressed by the schools, the standard of living and the hospitality of the people in Wayne and Northeast Nebraska. When a position opened at the First Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Ray and Rachelle felt they were called to return to Nebraska. One of their unexpected joys, the McCallas said, has been getting reacquainted with Valentino's, Runza, and Nebraska as a whole. “We needed to leave to appreciate how”.
- Story Courtesy of the Norfolk Daily News
