Pastor Thomas Eggold and Merv Koehlinger honored with the 2025 Rev. Oswald Bertram Award

Worship Anew operates, gratefully, through the work of volunteers. They give of their time, talents, and energy to help to provide resources for aging adults to live a full and abundant life in Jesus Christ.

Two of those volunteers are the Rev. Thomas Eggold and Merv Koehlinger who are being honored this year with the Rev. Oswald Bertram Award for their outstanding service to the ministry.

The award is named in honor of the Rev. Bertram who conceived of the idea of Worship Anew in 1965, then known as Worship for Shut-Ins.

Rev. Bertram dedicated his life to serving the Lord and spreading God’s Word through television ministry until his passing in 1979. The Rev. Oswald Bertram Award now recognizes individuals who have devoted their time, talents, and energy to assist Worship Anew in its ministry, making significant and outstanding contributions by sharing Christ’s love.

“This year, we are honored to present the Rev. Oswald Bertram Award to two exceptional individuals,” said Matthew Leighty, executive director of Worship Anew. “Their service and commitment to sharing Christ’s love through Worship Anew are a blessing from the Lord.”

Pastor Eggold has served as a pastor for Worship Anew since 2018. Over the years, he has given freely of his time and his exceptional talent to share the Word of God through the Worship Anew program.

“Worship Anew has been a real blessing for me, and it’s helped me to understand the church in a different way,” Pastor Eggold said. “It’s completely humbling to receive this award. There are so many other people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this ministry possible. … But it’s a team—it’s a team effort top to bottom truly.”

Pastor Eggold has concluded his time at Worship Anew but will continue to be an integral part of this ministry.

“His compassion and enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ have inspired many,” Leighty said. “As he moved his time to other important initiatives, we thank Rev. Eggold for his vital contributions to our ministry, which have been immeasurable, and we are grateful for his faithful dedication to serving the Lord.”

Merv Koehlinger has been a volunteer on the production team for more than 10 years. He has served as a camera operator as well as assisting with closed captioning. He also currently serves on the Worship Anew Board of Directors.

“Merv’s commitment to excellence and his unwavering support of furthering our mission has made a profound impact on Worship Anew,” Leighty said.

Koehlinger first became connected with Worship Anew through his parents, who were regular viewers. Many years later, he got to know Paul Melin, Worship Anew’s director of video production and accessibility, who asked him to help with the production of the program.

“I continue now to help out whenever I can and however I can,” Koehlinger said. In his retirement, he gives freely of time and talents and anything else asked of him.

He volunteers through Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Senior Saints and donates platelets at the Red Cross every two weeks.

“I volunteer because I can give back to many people,” he said. “(Worship Anew specifically) gives me a chance to allow thousands of people to experience spiritual growth.”

In his career, Koehlinger studied engineering and worked with the Atomic Energy Commission. After needing a career change, he gave back by teaching high school physics at his alma mater, Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Ind.

In retirement, it’s important for him to keep going, and there’s no better way to do that than to give back.

“If you are asked for and given an opportunity to volunteer, if it’s something that you think would be fun, go ahead and do it. Learn something. I’ve enjoyed everything that I’ve done in retirement. I keep learning. I keep trying new things. That’s the best way to live out of retirement,” he said.

Watch this video in honor of our award recipients.