Lange elected to first term as California-Nevada-Hawaii president

The Rev. Michael R. Lange of Brentwood, Calif., was elected on the third ballot to his first term as president of the LCMS California-Nevada-Hawaii District during the district’s 71st convention, May 11–12 in Sacramento, Calif.

Lange succeeds the Rev. Dr. Robert Newton, who announced his intention to retire prior to the convention. Newton was first elected to the post in 2003 and served five three-year terms.

Also elected were:

Rev. Dr. Thomas Zelt of Fremont, Calif., as first vice-president and chair of the Board of Directors;

Rev. Jason Bredeson of Sacramento, as vice-president of the Northern Region;

Rev. Mitchell Gowen of Aiea, Hawaii, as vice-president of the Hawaii Region;

Rev. Jeddidiah Maschke of Carson City, Nev., as vice-president of the Nevada Region;

Rev. Aaron Smith of Mountain View, Calif., as vice-president of the Pacific Region; and

Rev. Clarence Eisberg of Fresno, Calif., as vice-president of the Southern Region.

Installation of officers will be held on a date to be determined.

The convention theme was “Hearts Burning with Christ for the World,” based on Luke 24:32.

In convention business, delegates passed resolutions to:

encourage and affirm lay ministry within the CNH District;

eliminate the prohibition of Board of Director members being elected from the same circuit;

renew the term of the CNH District Disability Ministry Task Force for three years; and

clarify the role and relationship of the CNH Mission Agency to the CNH Board of Directors.

Delegates also debated and then rejected a resolution to remove the requirement for a full-time district president.

Posted May 17, 2018