When Bob and Mary Jo Luebbert first visited Northwood, Iowa, in 1987, the Baptist minister had a sense that he had found a home.

“I just had a feeling it was going to be our home,” Luebbert said. “At the time, I thought it might be for two or three years, but it was like the Lord was calling me to move here.”

During that visit 23 years ago, Luebbert took the job as pastor at Northwood Baptist Church. He faithfully served the small congregation and the community until last Sunday, when he held his final worship service before retiring.

On Sunday, June 13, there will be a farewell reception for the Luebberts from 2 to 5 p.m. at Signatures Supper Club. The public is invited.

Looking back, Luebbert is quick to say that he has always found Northwood to be a kind and friendly community.

“Right from the very start, people were always friendly,” he said, “and it wasn’t always that way in places were we had been.”

Natives of Missouri, Luebbert attended the Midwestern Baptist Theology Seminary, in Kansas City. His first congregation was in Glenwood, Iowa, where he served for nine years.

“Early on in my career, I was scared to death,” he said. “I wasn’t one who liked to talk in front of a crowd. I can remember my first sermon. I practiced and practiced and I had it timed for exactly 25 minutes. Well when I got up and preached, I was done in about 15 minutes.”

Mary Jo Luebbert says the move to Northwood was difficult, but only for a while. She left a daycare operation in Glenwood, only to start one here.

“We were in the bank and I saw a lady with six or seven kids following her,” said Mary Jo, “and I started crying.”

She asked the lady if she knew of anyone who needed a baby sitter. The lady responded that she didn’t know of any, but that she would check around. It was that same lady who introduced Mary Jo to her first daycare clients.

Since that time Luebberts have had hundreds of kids in their home through daycare and latchkey programs.

Pastor Luebbert has been active in church and community worship services, Bible studies, Vacation Bible School programs and youth ministries. On occasion he has even spoken out on community issues.

During the debate surrounding Worth County’s effort to bring the Diamond Jo Casino to Northwood, Luebbert voiced concern and opposition to the Casino.

“I wasn’t very popular with some people,” he said. “There is a casino there today, but I haven’t changed my position.”

Luebberts say they will miss Northwood and the people of the community.

“The people of our church family and the people we’ve met and dealt with over the years,” Bob Luebbert said. “I love dealing with people. I love to visit and the people here have been very good to us.”

The Luebberts are relocating to Jordan, where they will be closer (within 45 minutes) to all three of their adult children and their families.