Sias elected to fourth term; BOD welcomes new member

The Rev. Dr. John W. Sias shares a lighthearted moment with LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison during convention business on July 20. Sias was elected to a fourth term as Synod secretary. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Rachel Bomberger

PHOENIX — The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in convention has re-elected the Rev. Dr. John W. Sias to a fourth term as Synod secretary. Delegates also elected one new member and three incumbent members to the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD).

Andrew N. Grams and Jesse L. Yow were re-elected as lay members representing the Central and West-Southwest regions, respectively. Jan W. Lohmeyer was re-elected as an at-large commissioned member. Newly elected to the board (as an at-large lay member) is John W. Edson.

Detailed election results are as follows:

Secretary of Synod

Richard C. Rudowske Jr. (MO) — 149 votes, 17.74%

John W. Sias (MO) — 691 votes, 82.26%

LCMS Board of Directors — Central Region — Lay

Andrew N. Grams (MDS) — 479 votes, 58.20%

Aaron J. Silletto (IN) — 226 votes, 27.46%

Kevin W. Washburn (MDS) — 118 votes, 14.34%

LCMS Board of Directors — West-Southwest Region — Lay

First ballot:

Trey Cox (PSW) — 181 votes, 21.24%

Jerald L. Folkerts (RM) — 91 votes, 10.68%

Stephen Reavis (TX) — 202 votes, 23.71%

Jesse L. Yow Jr. (CNH) — 378 votes, 44.37%

Second ballot:

Trey Cox (PSW) — 182 votes, 21.02%

Stephen Reavis (TX) — 226 votes, 26.10%

Jesse L. Yow Jr. (CNH) — 458 votes, 52.89%

LCMS Board of Directors — At-Large — Lay

First ballot:

Thomas J. Deadrick (SD) — 228 votes, 26.86%

David C. Eastburn (IE) — 211 votes, 24.85%

John W. Edson (MNS) — 410 votes, 48.29%

Second ballot:

Thomas J. Deadrick (SD) —313 votes, 36.23%

John W. Edson (MNS) — 551 votes, 63.77%

LCMS Board of Directors — At-Large — Commissioned

First ballot:

Nathan T. Domsch (NEB) — 226 votes, 25.95%

Jay A. Krause (SI) — 225 votes, 25.83%

Jan W. Lohmeyer (SO) — 420 votes, 48.22%

Second ballot:

Nathan T. Domsch (NEB) — 316 votes, 36.49%

Jan W. Lohmeyer (SO) — 550 votes, 63.51%

2026 LCMS Convention

Under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 18–23, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.

There are several ways to get convention news, including:

Web

• lcms.org/convention/national

Video

• lcms.org/convention/national/livestream

Audio

• kfuo.org

Social media

• facebook.com/lcmsconvention

Email

• lcms.org/reporter-signup

Posted July 20, 2026