Comments:
Herbert James Pressler of Oakhurst Ward, Sydney has been called as mission president of the Australia Adelaide Mission. President Pressler brings to his new calling a lifetime of Church service having served for the past nine years as president of the Sydney Hebersham stake. He also served as counsellor in the stake presidency, high councillor, stake young men's president, bishop's counsellor, and ward mission leader.
A convert, he was baptised in 1966 at the age of 10 in his hometown of Adelaide, the only member in his family. He was able to stay strong in the Church in his initial years of his membership due to the strong influence and fellowshipping of the Jackson family in Adelaide. At the age of 12 he moved to Germany, later leaving home and moving to Portland, Oregon, just before his 16th birthday. There he was able to complete high school due to the support and sponsorship of a bishop and his wife. After graduating he worked at McDonald's for 9 months, saving money to return to Australia.
However, his life turned in a different direction when he recognised that the Lord had need of him in the mission field. He served in the Canada Vancouver Mission from 1975 to 1977. President Pressler said, "When I recieved my call the letter issuing my call stated that following the mission the Church would fly me back to my home in Adelaide."
On his return to Adelaide, President Pressler met Sue Marie Leach, and they were sealed in the New Zealand Temple six months later. They have three children. President Pressler speaks of his wife as "the strength behind the man - a great wife and mother." Sister Pressler has served in many ward positions, but especially loves teaching children.
"The Lord has always told me where to go and what to do," explained President Pressler. "He has always prepared people to assist me along the path; all I've had to do is listen and do." President and Sister Pressler heeded the promptings of the Spirit in March of last year when they felt they should sell his business and agreed he would act as consultant in that company until the 1st of April, 2000. It was not until they recieved their mission call that the reason became evident: they would start their mission on April 1st.
President Pressler said, "if I only had one thing to say to the people it would be: take time to listen to the promptings of the Spirit, then do. That's what the missionaries here will be doing, and they will have successes."
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