Missouri Synod’s School Ministry director wins Lutheran education top honor

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Vicki Biggs
Director, Integrated Communications
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
www.lcms.org
314-996-1236
314-556-3829 (cell)

Missouri Synod’s School Ministry director wins Lutheran education top honor
Cochran to receive LEA’ Christus Magister Award

ST. LOUIS, February 28, 2013—William “Bill” Cochran, director of School Ministry for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), will receive the Christus Magister Award, the Lutheran Education Association’s (LEA) top honor. Since 1965, the Christus Magister Award has been presented to Lutheran educators who have made significant contributions to Lutheran education.

“No one is more deserving than Bill,” said the Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the LCMS Office of National Mission. “He has been a faithful leader in Lutheran education for many years.

“Most importantly, Bill has endeavored to support all of our schools. While his clear objective has always been to see Lutheran schools as the ‘school of choice’ in their community, he has come alongside districts and schools to help make that a reality. The Synod has been blessed through his service.”

In its release, the LEA said that “Cochran has a distinguished ministry in leadership. Among his many contributions, he was co-founder of programs such as School Leadership and Development (SLED), Leadership with Purpose and three funding academies. He authored ‘Leadership and How to Start a Lutheran School’ for the LCMS Administrator’s Handbook and co-authored School Leadership and Mentoring (SLAM). Bill has visited many district teachers’ conferences, often providing presentations that were both informative and entertaining – and always Christ-centered.”

Before becoming the LCMS’ director of School Ministry in 2002, Cochran held a number of teaching and administrative positions at Lutheran schools and churches in Missouri and Illinois and served as the LCMS Eastern District’s education executive.

“One of my greatest joys in ministry is having the freedom and ability to share the saving Gospel message of Jesus Christ with students, parents, teachers and administrators,” Cochran said. “I also enjoy helping teachers grow into leadership positions, visiting Lutheran schools and observing their programs in action, and working with district education executives.”

He was among eight educators to receive LEA’s education awards for 2013. This year’s award recipients will be presented their award citations individually. They also will be recognized along with awardees from the two previous years during LEA’s triennial convocation, Oct. 24-25 in Milwaukee.

About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The 2.3 million-member Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a mission-oriented, Bible-based, confessional Christian denomination headquartered in St. Louis. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.lcms.org.

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