Delegates elect CUS board members; university and seminary regents

During the last two days of business at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, delegates elected members to the board of regents for each of the Concordias. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

Reporter staff

MILWAUKEE — On Wednesday, Aug. 2, and Thursday, Aug. 3, at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), delegates elected 22 pastors, commissioned ministers and laypeople to fill seats on the Concordia University System Board of Directors, as well as on the boards of regents for the Concordia universities and seminaries. Floor Committee 13 Chairman Rev. Scott C. Sailer, president of the LCMS South Dakota District, presented the slate of candidates for each position.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod Board of Directors

Ordained or Commissioned Minister — Jason M. Braaten (Central Illinois District) was elected with 494 votes (51.89%); and

Layperson (2) — Jonathan H. Kramer (Missouri District) was elected on the second ballot with 482 votes (50.58%), and Julie Johnson (Southern Illinois District) was elected on the second ballot with 517 votes (55.06%).

Concordia University System Board of Directors

Ordained Minister — Mark P. Braden (English District) was elected with 583 votes (61.63%);

Commissioned Minister — Jonathan Giordano (Southern Illinois District) was elected with 561 votes (59.11%); and

Layperson (2) — Ellen R. Lange (English District) was elected on the second ballot with 610 votes (63.08%), and Gary R. Thompson (South Wisconsin District) was elected on the third ballot with 568 votes (61.47%).

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Matthew W. Rueger (Iowa District East) was elected with 518 votes (55.52%); and

Layperson (2) — Beverly K. Yahnke (South Wisconsin District) was elected with 498 votes (57.77%), and Kaibo Feng (New England District) was elected on the second ballot with 537 votes (60.07%).

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Adam C. Koontz (Rocky Mountain District) was elected on the third ballot with 497 votes (54.20%); and

Layperson (2) — Paul P. Edmon (New England District) was elected with 519 votes (56.78%), and Matthew R. Kenitzer (Iowa District East) was elected with 495 votes (52.72%) on the third ballot.

Concordia University Chicago (River Forest, Ill.) Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Eric R. Andrae (English District) was elected with 483 votes (51.71%) on the second ballot;

Commissioned Minister — Jennifer Siukola (Indiana District) was elected with 657 votes (70.65%); and

Layperson (2) — John Thoelke (Texas District) was elected on the second ballot with 530 votes (56.68%), and Alison C. Witte (Ohio District) was elected on the fourth ballot with 535 votes (57.84%).

Concordia University Irvine (Irvine, Calif.) Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Scott R. Klemsz (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) was elected with 597 votes (63.85%);

Commissioned Minister — Jeffrey S. Beavers (Pacific Southwest District) was elected with 636 votes (67.88%); and

Layperson (2) — Laura G. Hemminger (Northwest District) was elected on the second ballot with 481 votes (51.44%), and Michael C. McThrow (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) was elected on the third ballot with 470 votes (50.81%).

Concordia University, Nebraska (Seward, Neb.) Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Brad E. Birtell (Nebraska District) was elected with 500 votes (53.36%);

Commissioned Minister — Craig A. Ernstmeyer (Missouri District) was elected on the second ballot with 538 votes (58.10%); and

Layperson (2) — Timothy Hu (Wyoming District) was elected on the second ballot with 565 votes (60.04%), and Douglas Tewes (Nebraska District) was elected on the fourth ballot with 541 votes (57.98%).

Concordia University, St. Paul (St. Paul, Minn.) Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Donald J. Fondow (Minnesota North District) was elected with 488 votes (58.87%);

Commissioned Minister — Mark J. L’Heureux (Nebraska District) was elected with 591 votes (72.34%); and

Layperson (2) — Paul C. Hinz (Minnesota South District) was elected with 484 votes (57.21%), and Karl J. Abbott (Southeastern District) was elected with 484 votes (58.45%).

Concordia University Texas (Austin, Texas) Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — Nathaniel W. Hill (Texas District) was elected with 521 votes (61.58%);

Commissioned Minister — Miguel A. Ruiz (Texas District) was elected with 612 votes (73.91%); and

Layperson (2) —Bob Ssekyanzi (Texas District) was elected with 544 votes (64.45%), and William Brandt (Texas District) was elected with 596 votes (70.78%).

Concordia University Wisconsin (Mequon, Wis.) Board of Regents

Ordained Minister — David C. Fleming (Michigan District) was elected with 492 votes (58.36%);

Commissioned Minister — Jennifer L. Knox (South Wisconsin District) was elected with 426 votes (54.83%); and

Layperson (2) — Stephen Saunders (South Wisconsin) was elected with 493 votes (59.25%), and David Lambert (English District) was elected with 485 votes (57.74%).

Posted Aug. 3, 2023/Updated Aug. 4, 2023/Updated Aug. 21, 2023

2023 LCMS Convention

Under the theme “We Preach Christ Crucified,” the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 28–Aug. 3, 2023, at the Baird Center in Milwaukee.

There are several ways to get convention news, including:

Web

• lcms.org/convention/national

• reporter.lcms.org

Video

• lcms.org/convention/national/livestream

• vimeo.com/thelcms

• youtube.com/thelcms

Social media

• facebook.com/lcmsconvention

• twitter.com/lcmsconvention