LCMS convention elects board members for Concordias

One of the pages (in orange) serving at the 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) rests outside the delegate area on July 23 as elections for Synod boards take place on the convention floor. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Stacey Egger

TAMPA, Fla. — On Wednesday, July 24, the fourth full day of business at the 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), delegates elected members to a number of Synod boards.

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Board of Regents

Ordained — The Rev. Bruce E. Keseman of Freeburg, Ill., was elected in the second round with 493 votes (or 52.4 percent).

Commissioned — Michael S. Staub of Houston was elected in the second round with 557 votes (or 59.8 percent).

Layperson — Mark O. Stern of Lake Forest, Ill., was elected in the second round with 603 votes (or 64.9 percent).

(Another ordained member, the Rev. Todd A. Peperkorn, was elected to this board Tuesday.)

Concordia College New York, Bronxville, N.Y., Board of Regents

Ordained — The Rev. Jon M. Ellingworth of Waverly, Iowa, was elected with 540 votes (or 58.2 percent).

Commissioned — Dr. Ross E. Stueber of Yorkville, Ill., was elected with 663 votes (or 72.5 percent).

Layperson (2) — Dr. Mark E. Gruenwald of Evansville, Ind., was elected in the second round with 460 votes (or 50.4 percent); and Dr. David M. Wolf of Bellingham, Mass., was elected with 552 votes (or 60.8 votes).

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

Ordained — The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Egger of St. Louis was elected with 575 votes (or 62.8 percent).

Commissioned — Carol R. Johnson of Fords, N.J., was elected with 536 votes (or 59.2 percent).

Layperson (2) — Dr. Edward C. Kopff of Louisville, Colo., was elected in the second round with 473 votes (or 51.3 percent); and Dr. Alison C. Witte of Fairborn, Ohio, was elected with 516 votes (56.6 percent).

Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., Board of Regents

Ordained — The Rev. Scott C. Klemsz of Salinas, Calif., was elected with 760 votes (or 84.7 percent).

Commissioned — Jeffrey S. Beavers of Orange, Calif., was elected with 706 votes (or 78 percent).

Layperson (2) — Peter K.S. Lee of Newbury Park, Calif., was elected in the second round with 550 votes (or 61.3 percent); and Laura G. Hemminger of Edmonds, Wash., was elected in the second round with 450 votes (or 50.4 percent).

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

Ordained — The Rev. Brad E. Birtell of Madison, Neb., was elected in the second round with 473 votes (or 53.8 percent).

Commissioned — Dr. Craig A. Ernstmeyer of St. Peters, Mo., was elected with 554 votes (or 63.4 percent).

Layperson (2) — Jill M. Johnson of Seward, Neb., was elected in the second round with 485 votes (or 54.9 percent); and Timothy Hu of Cheyenne, Wyo., was elected with 598 votes (or 66.7 percent).

Concordia University, Portland, Ore., Board of Regents

Ordained — The Rev. Timothy J. Pauls of Boise, Idaho, was elected with 492 votes (or 56.4 percent).

Commissioned — David O. Berger of Olivette, Mo., was elected with 480 votes (or 54.2 percent).

Layperson (2) — Michael P. Borg of Carpenter, Wyo., was elected with 492 votes (or 56.2 percent); and Brian T. Yamabe of Campbell, Calif., was elected with 784 votes (or 89.2 percent).

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

Ordained — The Rev. Dr. Brent L. Parrish of Prior Lake, Minn., was elected with 470 votes (or 53 percent).

Commissioned — Mark J. L’Heureux of Lincoln, Neb., was elected with 623 votes (or 72.5 votes).

Layperson (2) — Amy S. Wenthe of Rosemount, Minn., was elected with 521 votes (or 59.3 percent); and Paul C. Hinz of Bloomington, Minn., was elected in the third round with 510 votes (or 57.4 percent).

Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas, Board of Regents

Ordained — The Rev. Nathaniel W. Hill of Winchester, Texas, was elected with 558 votes (or 62.3 percent).

Commissioned — Dr. Mary B. Gaertner of Magnolia, Texas, was elected with 513 votes (or 59.2 percent).

Layperson (2) — Thomas J. Zachman of Lubbock, Texas, was elected in the fourth round with 457 votes (or 52.8 percent); and Bob Ssekyanzi of Houston was elected with 551 votes (or 64 percent).

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

Ordained — The Rev. David C. Fleming of Grand Rapids, Mich., was elected with 465 votes (or 53.4 percent).

Commissioned — Dr. Gary Petersen of Mequon, Wis., was elected with 630 votes (or 71.8 percent).

Layperson (2) — Deborah J. Davidson of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., was elected with 587 votes (or 67.8 percent); and James M. Riske Jr. of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, was elected with 505 votes (or 58.2 percent).

These elections concluded the work of Floor Committee 13 on Registration, Credentials and Elections at the 2019 Synod convention.

Posted July 24, 2019

The 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 20–25 in Tampa, Fla., at the Tampa Convention Center under the theme “Joy:fully Lutheran.” For more convention news:

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