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This reader is built from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees. It is provided as a source-navigation and reading aid. Verify all elections, candidate eligibility, convention procedures, and official ballots against official LCMS convention materials.
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44 matches
p. 9
Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball
President of the Synod
Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball President of the Synod President of the Synod ordained Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained (3-year term) Regional Vice-President (Central Reg.) St Name .......... Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball Locale .........................................W orden, IL Congregation ......St. P aul, Hamel, IL (SI) Birth Year ........
p. 25
Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball
Central Region Regional Vice-President
Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball Central Region Regional Vice-President Central Region Regional Vice-President ordained Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained (Central Region), 1 minister of religion—ordained (East-Southeast Region), 1 minister of St Name ........Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball+ Locale .........................................W orden...
pp. 77-81
Nominees Submitted to the Committee for Convention Nominations, available for floor nominations from the pool
Nominees Submitted to the Committee for Convention Nominations, available for floor nominations from the pool
...NDOS, Rev Joel A Geneseo, IL BROWN, Dr Charles Wheaton, IL BRUNS, Mr James Kenneth† Watseka, IL BUCHMUELLER, Rev Barrett Ryan Country Club, MO BUCHS, Rev David Michael† Little Rock, AR BUELTMANN, Rev Keith August†‡ Riverton, IL BULL, Jeff Ames, IA BUMAN, Mr Dan† Bennington, NE BURLEY, Mr Eric William Panama City, FL BURMA, Mrs Deb Columbu...
pp. 85-89
Index
Index
...14, 28, 37 Alb, Larry A. ............................................................ 9 Allen, Jon ......................................................... 74, 76 Allen, Michael S. ................................................... 28 Alms, Paul Gregory ................................................. 28 Andersen, Eric Neil ..............
pp. 5-6
Report of Nominations by Ballot
Report of Nominations by Ballot
Report of Nominations by Ballot Ballot nomination process overview for President, First Vice-President, and regional vice-presidents. Preface | 5 ing of paper ballots. The contractor exclusively handled voting credentials and sent reminder emails to congregational leadership as needed. The nomination period was Oct. 18, 2025, to Feb. 18,...
pp. 5-7
Preface
Preface
...otes on presidential, vice-presidential, regional vice-presidential, and floor-nomination processes. Preface | 5 ing of paper ballots. The contractor exclusively handled voting credentials and sent reminder emails to congregational leadership as needed. The nomination period was Oct. 18, 2025, to Feb. 18, 2026. Instructions and credential...
p. 12
Peter Kristoff Lange
President of the Synod
...hn’ s Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS ...................................1999–2015 Synod Offices P osition Y ears LCMS Council of Presidents ................................................... 2015–present Chair man of Floor Committees for Synod Conventions .........2016, 2019 LCMS Board of Directors .............................................
p. 33
David Paul Ramirez
Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President
.... 2014–present Synod Convention Delegate ...................................................................2016 Committee f or Nominations ..................................................................2026 District Offices P osition Y ears CID Pastors’ Conference Planning Committee........................2011–2013 South Wisconsin Dis...
p. 30
Jeffrey Eric Skopak
East-Southeast Region Regional Vice-President
...1999–2005 V ice Chairman, Hands of Hope Pregnancy Centers, Tucson, AZ ................ 2008–2014 Guest Lecturer , Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO............................2010 V isiting Professor for the International Lutheran Council (Lutheran Leadership Development Program)........... 2019–present Podcast: Christ, Culture, and Cinem...
pp. 31-33
Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President
Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President
...ovgaard ...........................................................................79 Mark D. Brandt ...............................................................................55 David P . Ramirez .............................................................................49 Jamison J. Hardy .............................................
pp. 34-36
Great Plains Region Regional Vice-President
Great Plains Region Regional Vice-President
...votes: Nabil S. Nour ................................................................................128 Matthew R. Richard .......................................................................41 David C. Mumme ...........................................................................22 Steven D. (Steve) T urner ..........................
p. 24
Sean August Willman
First Vice-President of the Synod
...eed, in this world that church of God faces tribulation—persecution, false prophets, false doctrine, persistent sin—but Christ our Lord gives peace: “Take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Let us in the LCMS, who know that tribulation acutely, press on with the joy of Christ victorious and boldly “make a defense to anyone wh...
p. 37
Timothy Paul (Tim) Ahlman
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
...k; Paul A. Linnemann; James B. Maxwell; William H. Tucker 2 votes: John F . Davis Jr.; Jonathan M. Dinger; Jose M. Franco-Arango; Vincent R. (Vince) Harman; Robert M. Hiller; Michael R. (Mike) Lange; Zachary (Zach) McIntosh; Michael W . (Mike) Newman; Jeffery T. (Jeff) Schrank; Michael T. (Mike) Von Behren; Nathan M. Wendorf 1 vote: Joel...
p. 22
Don Richard Stuckwisch Jr. (Richard)
First Vice-President of the Synod
...rd Stuckwisch Jr. (Richard) First Vice-President of the Synod First Vice-President of the Synod not specified Emmaus, South Bend, IN (IN) Birth Year Name .............Don Richard Stuckwisch Jr. (Richard) Locale ..................................F ort Wayne, IN Congregation ..Emmaus, South Bend, IN (IN) Birth Year ............................
pp. 7-8
Abbreviations and Key
Abbreviations and Key
...er to years of service in those positions. Where appropriate, a plus sign (+) immediately following a last name designates that the candidate is an incumbent to the position. Example: Jane Smith is a candidate for a position on the Board for National Mission. Jane Smith+, Milwaukee, WI; Our Savior, Elton WI (SWD); LCMS 30; Attorney; S: BN...
p. 66
Jeremy Thomas Geidel
Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents
Jeremy Thomas Geidel Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents not specified Seward, NE; St. John, Seward NE (NEB); LCMS 25 Jeremy Thomas Geidel, Seward, NE; St. John, Seward NE (NEB); LCMS 25; Asst. Head of School. C: Cong. Pres., Call Com. O: Dir. of Graduate & Adult Enrollment & Operati...
p. 27
Peter James Brock
Central Region Regional Vice-President
...topher S. Esget .....................................................................109 W ally M. Arp ..................................................................................29 Luke T . Zimmerman........................................................................18 Deric A. Taylor ..............................................
p. 31
Luke Thomas Zimmer man
Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President
Luke Thomas Zimmer man Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President ordained Calvar y Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, PA (EN) Birth Year Name ..............Luke Thomas Zimmer man Locale ..........................Mechanicsburg , PA Congregation . Calvar y Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, PA (EN) Birt...
p. 42
Thomas J. Deadrick
LCMS Board of Directors
Thomas J. Deadrick LCMS Board of Directors LCMS Board of Directors not specified Pierre, SD; Faith, Pierre SD (SD); LCMS 36 Thomas J. Deadrick, Pierre, SD; Faith, Pierre SD (SD); LCMS 36; Atty./Deputy Secy. of State. S: CCM 13. D: Mercy and Miss. Couns. 4, Legal Couns. SD 6. C: Elder 9, Chm. Cong. 3. O: Drafted Articles of Org. for SE Dak...
p. 45
Peter C. Bender
Board for National Mission
Peter C. Bender Board for National Mission Board for National Mission ordained Colgate, WI; Peace, Sussex WI (SW); LCMS 64 Peter C. Bender+, Colgate, WI; Peace, Sussex WI (SW); LCMS 64; Sr. Pastor. S: BNM 10, Comm. on Worship LSB Agenda Comm. 8, OIM Sem. Lecturer in Catechesis 3, CTSFW Adjunct Faculty 6, CUW Adjunct Faculty 1, CUS Formal...
p. 45
Thomas E. Chryst
Board for National Mission
Thomas E. Chryst Board for National Mission Board for National Mission ordained or commissioned Elect 1 ordained or commissioned minister (Great Lakes Region) Fort Worth, TX; Messiah, Keller TX (TX); LCMS 50 Thomas E. Chryst, Fort Worth, TX; Messiah, Keller TX (TX); LCMS 50; Sr. Pastor. S: LCMS Strategic Miss. Devel., Nom. Com. 1, Conv. D...
p. 53
Rodney A. Benkendorf
Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors
Rodney A. Benkendorf Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors ordained Cape Girardeau, MO; Hanover, Cape Girardeau MO (MO); LCMS 57 Rodney A. Benkendorf+, Cape Girardeau, MO; Hanover, Cape Girardeau MO (MO); LCMS 57; Pastor. S: CHI BOD 7. D: CV MO 5. O: LWML MO Dist. Pastoral Coun...
p. 55
Thomas R. Halvorson
Concordia Publishing House Board of Directors
Thomas R. Halvorson Concordia Publishing House Board of Directors Concordia Publishing House Board of Directors layperson Sidney, MT; Trinity, Sidney MT (MT); LCMS 12 Thomas R. Halvorson+, Sidney, MT; Trinity, Sidney MT (MT); LCMS 12; Civil Attorney. S: BOD CPH 7, Lay Deleg. 3. D: Lay Deleg. MT 3, Exhibitor of Confessional Luth. Books at...
pp. 9-12
President of the Synod
President of the Synod
...eceived the highest number of votes were notified to obtain their approval in writing for the inclusion of their names on the ballot. Because there were no declinations and because the Bylaws of the Synod provide no opportunity for adding names to this slate, other than due to the death, declination, or unavailability of a candidate, the...
pp. 13-24
First Vice-President of the Synod
First Vice-President of the Synod
...eming; Terry R. Forke; Daniel M. (Dan) Galchutt; Stephen A. Gewecke; Randall L. Golter; Roosevelt Gray Jr.; Keith H. Grimm; Vincent R. (Vince) Harman; Andrew M. Harris; Benjamin D. Haupt; Jeffrey B. Hemmer; Kenneth M. (Ken) Hennings; Kenneth N. Hessel; Josemon T. (Joe) Hoem; Eric C. Johnson; Todd A. Jones; Chad D. Kendall; Derek S. Klemm;...
pp. 25-27
Central Region Regional Vice-President
Central Region Regional Vice-President
...he nominees who received the highest number of votes were notified to obtain their approval in writing for the inclusion of their names on the ballot. Because the Bylaws of the Synod provide no opportunity for adding names to this slate, other than due to the death, declination, or unavailability of a candidate, the ballot for the electio...
pp. 25-39
Regional Vice-Presidents
Regional Vice-Presidents
...he nominees who received the highest number of votes were notified to obtain their approval in writing for the inclusion of their names on the ballot. Because the Bylaws of the Synod provide no opportunity for adding names to this slate, other than due to the death, declination, or unavailability of a candidate, the ballot for the electio...
p. 58
Jonathan H. Kramer
LCEF Board of Directors
...as an important role to play in supporting the LCMS in its mission and ministry. It is vital for LCEF to remain financially sound so that it can continue to be a benefit to districts, local congregations, schools, universities, rostered church workers, RSOs, and the other organizations of the LCMS while providing a benefit to its investor...
p. 70
Dan Buman
Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents
Dan Buman Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents not specified Bennington, NE; St. Mark, Omaha NE (NEB); LCMS 33 Dan Buman, Bennington, NE; St. Mark, Omaha NE (NEB); LCMS 33; Dir. of Nuclear Oversight & Strategic Asset Mgt. S: CUNE Found. Bd. 7, Conv. Deleg. D: Conv. Deleg. O: BOD NE...
p. 70
Douglas Tewes
Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents
...uglas Tewes Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents not specified Bennet, NE; Messiah, Lincoln NE (NEB); LCMS 58 Douglas Tewes+, Bennet, NE; Messiah, Lincoln NE (NEB); LCMS 58; Orthopedic Surgeon. S: CUNE BOR 3, CUNE Found. Bd. 18. C: Call Com. 3, SS Tchr. 8. O: CUNE Team Physician, Ma...
p. 8
+
Abbreviations and Key
+ Incumbent
p. 10
Joel David Biermann
President of the Synod
...ration ......2016, 2019 Chairman, Committee for Convention Nominations...............2019–2023 Chairman, Convention Floor Committee: Schools, Family, Young Adults, and Youth ...................................2023 Sixth V ice-President, Central Region ........................................2019–2023 Second V ice-President, Central Region...
p. 11
Brady Lee Finnern
President of the Synod
...r, we will strengthen congregations through robust visitations (Acts 15:36–41), diligent searching of the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), exhorting everyone to holy living by the Holy Spirit’s power (1 Cor. 6:11), and zealously witnessing Christ’s atoning blood and empty tomb to our communities. The Lord grant it. 12 | President of the Synod Com...
p. 20
Peter Kristoff Lange
First Vice-President of the Synod
....................................................... 2019–present Commission on Theology and Church Relations ................ 2019–present Chair man, Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry . 2019–present Chair man, Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry ..................... 2019–present F irst Vice-President, The Lutheran Ch...
p. 21
Lawrence Robert Rast Jr.
First Vice-President of the Synod
...ical and confessional foundation would be consistently upheld for the sake of the mission entrusted to us. Also candidate for: Board of Regents, River Forest 22 | First Vice-President Personal Statement I am honored to be nominated for the position of First Vice-President of the LCMS. With a deep commitment to our faith and mission, I bri...
p. 26
Joel David Biermann
Central Region Regional Vice-President
...District ..............................2006–2009 Member , Northern Illinois District East Region Pastoral Conference Committee ......................................2006–2010 Secretary, Northern Illinois District Nominations Committee ...........2009 Circuit V isitor, Southern Illinois District ....................................2015–201...
p. 39
Yohannes Andemicael Mengsteab
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
...am Number of Children ................................3 College .......................................Concordia College, Bronxville, NY (1987) Seminary ................................ Concordia Seminar y, St. Louis, MO (1991) Other Degrees .......ThM, Western Seminary (1993); PhD in Missiology, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne...
p. 53
David Paul Ramirez
Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors
...eran Campus Min. Coord. 1, Grad. Asst. CTSFW 1, Organizer, Jr. and Sr. High Youth Confs. 5, Chm. NLSA Accreditation Com., Zion Luth. School, Bugenhagen Conf. Plng. Com. 9, Little League Baseball Coach 6, Vicarage Supervisor 1, Co-Planner, Faith of Our Fathers Conf. 2. I would be excited and honored to serve on the board for Concordia Hist...
p. 54
Alessandro Meregaglia
Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors
...lecting, preserving, and making available important historical records. Serving on the CHI board would allow me to put my education and training to use for the benefit of the LCMS. During my catechesis, I learned that faithfully proclaiming the Gospel today requires understanding the church’s past. That principle shapes my commitment to p...
p. 58
Matthew William Hurtienne
LCEF Board of Directors
...uman Resource Devel. S: Univ. Reviewer CUNE, CUW/CUAA Dean of the School of Business, 7 CUW/CUAA Exec. Dir of Univ. Strategic Plng. C: Vol. Basketball Coach, School Bd. Dir., Elder, Church BOD Mem., AV Team. O: Hood College Prog. Reviewer, BOD LFCU 2, BOD Better Business Bureau Found. 2, BOD Academy of Human Resource Devel. 2, LCEF Future...
p. 59
Glenn R. Pittsford
LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees
...education, encouragement, and facilitation and nonprofit management to support the very capable Foundation staff as they serve donors desiring to benefit and support the vital ministries of the LCMS with their God-given accumulated assets after their lifetimes. Striving for increased endowment and current gift support for the Lord’s work...
p. 59
Mark O. Swenson
LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees
...t management of assets. I strongly support the work of the Foundation and wish for their continued growth, as their services can provide a long-term benefit to LCMS members and congregations and ministries. My background in institutional investment management would align with the role of the Foundation and help me serve as a trustee. XII....
p. 67
Mark D. Wolfrum
Concordia University Irvine Board of Regents
...lot. The importance and value of a high-quality education within the Lutheran educational system cannot be understated. As a lifelong LCMS Lutheran and beneficiary of the Lutheran educational system, playing even a small part in ensuring that high quality and God’s Word is retained in that educational process would be my honor. b. Concord...
p. 70
Stan Ullerich
Concordia University Nebraska Board of Regents
...ivate college—with visiting stints at an R-1 land grant, applied international university’s campus and “one of the Concordias”—has provided experiences well suited to benefit CUNE’s board and its students. Continued service in my home congregation, our circuit, Iowa District West, and RSOs (LFS, LCEF , BLHS) attest to my desire to “Grow G...
