By Anthony Oliphant
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southern Illinois District (SID) elected the Rev. Heath Curtis of Worden, Ill., to his first term as district president at the district’s 60th convention, held in O’Fallon, Ill., Feb. 20–22.
Curtis, who was elected on the third ballot, has served for 11 years as coordinator of Stewardship in the LCMS Office of National Mission.
Also elected were:
- Rev. Dr. Stephen Krenz, Columbia, Ill., as first vice-president (first term); and
- Rev. Mark Surburg, Marion, Ill., as second vice-president. This is Surburg’s first elected term after being appointed to the role in August 2024.
All elected officials were installed during the convention.
The convention theme was “Heirs of Eternal Life,” based on Titus 3:3–8. The convention unanimously resolved to:
- Expand its prison ministry outreach by assisting inmates, families and victims of crime;
- Encourage, recruit and raise future church workers; and
- Declare former district president Rev. Timothy J. Scharr as President Emeritus.
The Rev. Anthony Oliphant is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Ill.
Posted March 7, 2025
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