Third annual district forum held in St. Louis

Leaders from 31 LCMS districts joined staff of the LCMS International Center in St. Louis Dec. 2–3, 2025, for the third annual district forum. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)

By Mary Henrichs

Despite the snowy road conditions in St. Louis and much of the Midwest, the weather did not deter any of the 48 district leaders — representing 31 LCMS districts — who attended the third annual district forum at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) International Center (IC) in St. Louis on Dec. 2–3, 2025.

The event, hosted by the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM), acts as a key opportunity for ONM staff and district leaders to collaborate on areas of both growth and challenge that face their ministry.

Many district leaders shared that they had prioritized attending the forum: “We knew that this was going to be a really important conference to get more tools in our toolbelts,” said first-time attendee Deaconess Melissa DeGroot, mission executive for the LCMS Rocky Mountain District.

Attending for the third time, the Rev. Jim Henkell, ministry executive for the LCMS Pacific Southwest District, described the shared enthusiasm around the event: “The interaction with colleagues is phenomenal: to discover and learn what God is doing in their districts and to discern if that applies to us, and also to delight in it with them.”

The first part of the day included two breakout training sessions, offered by National Mission, from which participants could choose: one on “Exploring God’s Mission Here,” a Bible study and congregational planning tool; and another on ONM grant programs, led by Deaconess Maryann Hayter, LCMS manager of grantmaking.

The Rev. Dan Galchutt, ONM executive director and interim LCMS chief mission officer, explained “Exploring God’s Mission Here” as a resource designed to help facilitate “tough conversations with congregations that are in challenging spots.” It seeks to address the spiritual and emotional side of those conversations while also helping to isolate the relevant facts and numbers. Designed to be led by a district leader, the Bible study includes questions to guide congregational self-appraisal, then points the congregation toward possible next steps, such as revitalization, developing partnerships, church planting/replanting, or even a blessed end.

Throughout Galchutt’s presentation, group discussion revolved around two main questions: How can leaders and congregations be more proactive, and how can leaders encourage people to participate in the ongoing mission of God: seeking and saving the lost?

In the grantmaking training session, Hayter walked participants through nine separate grant programs that offer funding to congregations, schools, Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) and workers. “What I really love [about the district forum] is [that] it’s an opportunity to hear from the district personnel. … While I was giving them a ton of different information, I was also acquiring from them what we could do better to communicate with them and with the congregations and RSOs within their districts,” said Hayter.

Later in the day, discussion topics and presentations were provided by the district leaders. The Rev. Daniel Grams, mission executive in the LCMS Kansas District, and the Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, president of the LCMS Northern Illinois District, discussed church revitalization.

Grams walked through a case study of successful revitalization at Christ Lutheran Church in Manhattan, Kan., which had declined to only 12 members and was ready to close its doors. Through a partnership with the district and the calling of a pastor (the Rev. James D. Woelmer), the church devoted itself to the intention “that God may instill in our hearts a passion for the lost.” Woelmer visited and shared the Gospel with over 250 unchurched families. Over the course of two years, Christ Lutheran gained 45 new members and now has a weekly attendance of about 60.

No matter how big or small, “all of our congregations are always in need of revitalization,” said Buss in his presentation, which emphasized the importance of tapping into the energy and leadership of laypeople.

Addressing the group on the topic of all nations ministry, three mission executives presented: the Rev. Vue Lee from the LCMS Minnesota South District, the Rev. Dr. Yared Halche from the Southeastern District and the Rev. Kristopher Whitby from the Northern Illinois District.

“The Gospel works. Don’t be tired of the Gospel,” said Halche, a message echoed by Lee and Whitby, as all three gave testimony of the Lord at work across the U.S. through ethnic church plants, partnerships and urban ministry.

The ONM offered a resource fair for attendees to have consultation and discussion with staff, and, on the second day, district and ONM leaders took part in roundtable discussions focused on the districts’ recently concluded conventions, exchanging ideas, struggles and success stories in areas including school ministry, worker wellness, church planting and disaster response.

Speaking to the 48 district leaders and 32 ONM staff who had braved snowy roads to gather together, the Rev. Michael Meyer, ONM managing director, preached on James 5:7–12 during chapel at the IC: “Yes, there are dry spells and challenges, but there is also blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace, from which our hearts are established and rooted and strengthened. From the words and the promises of God, patience springs forth like a well of living water — patience to endure one another, on the one hand, and to endure with each other on the other. …

“And may there be a lot more of this. For we have the opportunity not to grumble, but to be patient — to share and converse, to listen and to learn, and to encourage and to endure together.”

Mary Henrichs (mary.henrichs@lcms.org) is a staff writer for LCMS Communications.

Posted Jan. 27, 2026