By Anthony Oliphant
The Missouri District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) met June 22–24 in Columbia, Mo., for its 22nd regular convention. Meeting under the theme, “Bold Hope in Christ,” inspired by 2 Corinthians 3:12, delegates re-elected the Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan of St. Charles, Mo., by acclamation to a fourth term as district president.
Also elected were:
- Rev. Craig Otto, Lee’s Summit, Mo., to a first term as first vice-president;
- Rev. Randy Asburry, St. Louis, to a first term as second vice-president;
- Rev. Samuel Powell, Jefferson City, Mo., to a first term as third vice-president; and
- Rev. Richard Cody, St. Joseph, Mo., to a first term as fourth vice-president.
Hagan was installed during the convention. Vice-presidents will be installed Aug. 12 at the Missouri District office.
Delegates adopted resolutions to:
- Realign circuits in the district to bring them into conformity with LCMS requirements of electoral circuits;
- Publicly oppose the Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3, which legalized abortion up to fetal viability;
- Celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism in 2029 by encouraging congregations and heads of households to teach the faith in the home;
- Approve the critical targets of the district’s strategic plan for the next triennium, providing ministry priorities and mission focus; and
- Encourage and celebrate muti-ethnic ministry and the Missouri District’s history of outreach to diverse communities, calling congregations to renew their commitment to reaching people of all backgrounds with the Gospel.
The Rev. Anthony Oliphant is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Ill.
Posted Aug. 4, 2025
