Celebrating partners in ‘God’s Mission Here’

(From left) The Rev. Bernard Ross III, the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Nehrt, Dr. Thaddeus Warren, the Rev. Max Phillips and the Rev. Glenn Merritt were honored at the LCMS Office of National Mission banquet, held during the 2026 LCMS convention on July 20 in Phoenix. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)

By Mary Henrichs

PHOENIX — Once the day’s business concludes, the evening activities of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention begin — often filled with official dinners, concerts and social events of all kinds. This year, on July 20, a new tradition was founded: the Office of National Mission (ONM) Recognition Banquet.

With 100 guests total and leaders from 33 districts in attendance, the goal of the gathering was “to get our mission partners together to look for ways to partner in the Gospel now and in the triennium to come,” said the Rev. Daniel Galchutt, LCMS chief mission officer and executive director of the ONM.

While looking to the work ahead, ONM staff also gave thanks for the partnership with districts and gave special recognition to eight servants of God’s mission in North America.

LCMS Youth Ministry recognized Dr. Thaddeus Warren, professor and chair of Human Social Services at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., for his service as a director of Christian education (DCE). Galchutt gave thanks for Warren’s faithful “servant leadership,” dedicating “time and talents to training, mentoring and supporting our future and current DCEs.”

“It’s a pleasure to … work with pastors to point to Jesus. That’s really what [DCEs] get to do,” said Warren. “Focusing on educating people and … bringing them to Jesus — all age groups, cradle to grave — is an incredible blessing.”

Each year, National Lutheran School Accreditation honors the work of a faithful pastor who provides outstanding encouragement, support and service to his school with the School Shepherd Award. During the banquet, the ONM recognized the School Shepherds of the past triennium: the Rev. Matthew Hoffmann of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, Ill. (2023); the Rev. Bernard Ross III of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alma, Mo. (2024); and the Rev. Dean Davenport of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Livonia, Mich. (2025). Hoffmann and Davenport were honored in absentia.

“I’m incredibly thankful that I have the opportunity to serve at a church that also has a school,” said Ross. “The mission is not far away. It’s right next door, because that’s where our school is. … Being able to participate in that [mission] and advocate for the school that I’m at and be their shepherd — it’s a joy. I wish every pastor had that opportunity.”

The Rev. Max Phillips, CEO of Perry Lutheran Homes and executive director of Lutheran Family Service (LFS) of Iowa, a Recognized Service Organization that offers worker wellness resources and support, received the Henry F. Wind award for outstanding leadership in specialized spiritual care. Said Galchutt, “Through your work, Max, you have demonstrated deep compassion, wisdom and a strong commitment to serving others through Christ.”

The Christus in Mundo award was presented to the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Nehrt, honoring “the lasting impact of [his] ministry and [his] faithful witness and service to others.” Galchutt continued, “Through your compassion and faithful commitment to Christ-centered pastoral care, you have brought comfort, hope and the mercy of Christ to those who have been incarcerated, to their families, to prison staff and to the church at large,” said Galchutt.

Nehrt began his service in prison ministry in 1994 at the Federal Correctional Institute in Greenville, Ill., after he was called as a pastor to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1993. “There were a lot of people who stepped up and mentored me,” said Nehrt, remembering in particular the Rev. Drs. Maurice Alms, James Rivett and Herbert C. Mueller Jr. — faithful servants now gone to be with Christ.

“The goal I have when I train or when I go into prisons is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard of it or who have forgotten that Jesus Christ died for their sins and that He wants them to be with Him eternally,” said Nehrt.

Finally, recognition was given to two recipients of the Disaster Lifetime Service Award: the Rev. Glenn Merritt, former director of LCMS Disaster Response, and the Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, former director of Church and Community Engagement for the ONM, who was recognized in absentia.

As Merritt’s award was presented, Galchutt gave thanks for his service: “Nominated by your peers and acknowledged by the church, your leadership has been marked by mercy in action, bringing both the comfort of the Gospel and the helping hands of Christ’s people to those in need. You have led with courage, served with humility, and walked alongside countless individuals and congregations in times of devastation and recovery.”

Merritt expressed thankfulness for “the opportunity to show the Gospel in action” in his service for LCMS Disaster Response.

Proclaiming the Gospel in Word and action is what the work of the ONM is all about, as Galchutt expressed when describing “God’s Mission Here,” the theme under which the ONM serves: “The Lord brings into our daily lives people who we have the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with and show the mercy of Christ to.”

Quoting from Martin Luther’s “The Freedom of a Christian,” Galchutt said, “‘The Christian lives not in himself for himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. Otherwise, he is not a Christian. He lives in Christ through faith and in his neighbor through love.’ …

“Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, and we’re looking forward to the triennium ahead.”

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 21, 2026