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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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30 matches

Photo of Franklin Edward Simek Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 59

Franklin Edward Simek Jr.

LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees

Franklin Edward Simek Jr. LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees not specified Millstadt, IL; Trinity, Millstadt IL (SI); LCMS 45 Franklin Edward Simek Jr., Millstadt, IL; Trinity, Millstadt IL (SI); LCMS 45; Retired. S: CUC BOR incl. Fin., Capital Strategy, Governance and Audit Coms., LCMS Chief Admin. Office...

pp. 85-89

Index

Index

...1, 45 Benke, David H. ................................................. 9, 13 Benkendorf, Rodney A. ........................................... 53 Berg, John Matthew ................................................ 31 Bertsch, Arie Duane ............................................... 34 Bestul, Mark C. ......................................

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

...Rev Keith August†‡ Riverton, IL BULL, Jeff Ames, IA BUMAN, Mr Dan† Bennington, NE BURLEY, Mr Eric William Panama City, FL BURMA, Mrs Deb Columbus, NE BUSSMAN, Rev John Mark† Cullman, AL BUUCK, Dr Steven Jeffrey Las Vegas, NV BYRNES, Mr Steve Lake Forest, CA CAIN, Rev Paul J Jr† Sheridan, WY CARLSON, Rev Daniel Roy† Milaca, MN CASADAY, Mr...

Photo of Peter Kristoff Lange from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 12

Peter Kristoff Lange

President of the Synod

...ncordia, MO.............................1990–1999 St. John’ 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...

Photo of Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 9

Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball

President of the Synod

...023; 2,114 in 2019; 1,338 in 2016; 1,479 in 2013; 2,007 in 2010; 2,075 in 2007; and 2,581 in 2004). As required by Bylaw 3.12.2 (d), here following are the names and tallies of all ordained ministers who received nominating votes: Matthew C. Harrison ....................................................................900 Joel D. Biermann...

Photo of Timothy Paul (Tim) Ahlman from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 37

Timothy Paul (Tim) Ahlman

West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President

...Murray ..............................................................................22 Bradley W . Jurischk .........................................................................16 T imothy P . (Tim) Ahlman ................................................................9 Alfonso J. (AJ) Espinosa .........................................

pp. 13-24

First Vice-President of the Synod

First Vice-President of the Synod

...e; Alfonso J. (AJ) Espinosa; John A. Flamme; David C. Fleming; 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....

Photo of Lawrence Robert Rast Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 21

Lawrence Robert Rast Jr.

First Vice-President of the Synod

Lawrence Robert Rast Jr. First Vice-President of the Synod First Vice-President of the Synod ordained Board of Regents, River Forest Emmanuel, Fort Wayne, IN (IN) Birth Year Name .................Lawrence Robert Rast Jr. Locale ..................................F ort Wayne, IN Congregation ...Emmanuel, Fort Wayne, IN (IN) Birth Year ........

Photo of Don Richard Stuckwisch Jr. (Richard) from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 22

Don Richard Stuckwisch Jr. (Richard)

First Vice-President of the Synod

Don Richard 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 ...................

Photo of Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 25

Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball

Central Region Regional Vice-President

...ting congregation of the Synod. He must reside within the designated region to be eligible for nomination to that regional vice-presidency (Bylaw 3.12.2.7 [a] and 3.12.2.8 [c]). Restrictions: The candidates for regional vice-president in each region are the five eligible ordained ministers within that region who receive the most nominatin...

Photo of Peter James Brock from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 27

Peter James Brock

Central Region Regional Vice-President

...eighbors, support and encourage pastors and other church workers, and walk together in opportunities for outreach and human care to the ends of the earth. 28 | Vice-President: East-Southeast Region b. Nominations and Candidates for EastSoutheast Region Regional Vice-President Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained (East-Southeast Region) (...

Photo of Jeffrey Eric Skopak from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 30

Jeffrey Eric Skopak

East-Southeast Region Regional Vice-President

...Toms River, NJ ................... 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...

pp. 31-33

Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President

Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President

...eceived nominating votes: Eric C. Skovgaard ...........................................................................79 Mark D. Brandt ...............................................................................55 David P . Ramirez .............................................................................49 Jamison J. Hardy .........

Photo of Richard Charles Rudowske Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 40

Richard Charles Rudowske Jr.

Secretary of the Synod

Richard Charles Rudowske Jr. Secretary of the Synod Secretary of the Synod ordained Board of Regents, St. Louis Springfield, MO; St. Paul, Concordia MO (MO); LCMS 27 Richard Charles Rudowske Jr., Springfield, MO; St. Paul, Concordia MO (MO); LCMS 27; Exec. LBT S: Miss. LBT 7, Guest Instructor CTSFW 5 C: Assoc. Pastor 3 O: COO LBT 9, Fin....

Photo of Jesse L. Yow Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 42

Jesse L. Yow Jr.

LCMS Board of Directors

Jesse L. Yow Jr. LCMS Board of Directors LCMS Board of Directors not specified Livermore, CA; Our Savior, Livermore CA (CNH); LCMS 48 Jesse L. Yow Jr.+, Livermore, CA; Our Savior, Livermore CA (CNH); LCMS 48; Ret. Dept. Head. S: BOD 6, CTCR 9, Editorial Serv. CPH. D: Lay Deleg. 2. C: Bd. of Elders 45, Lay Gov. Bd. 45, VP and Pres. of Cong...

Photo of Richard Philip Fielitz Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 50

Richard Philip Fielitz Jr.

Board for International Mission

Richard Philip Fielitz Jr. Board for International Mission Board for International Mission ordained Granite Bay, CA; Holy Cross, Rocklin CA (CNH); LCMS 54 Richard Philip Fielitz Jr., Granite Bay, CA; Holy Cross, Rocklin CA (CNH); LCMS 54; Ret. Federal Gov. Chief-of-Staff. S: Fl. Com. Mem. D: CNH and RM Dist. Conv. Fl. Com. Incl. Admin & N...

Photo of Bruce Edward Keseman from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 63

Bruce Edward Keseman

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents

Bruce Edward Keseman Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents ordained Freeburg, IL; Christ Our Savior, Freeburg IL (SI); LCMS 62 Bruce Edward Keseman+, Freeburg, IL; Christ Our Savior, Freeburg IL (SI); LCMS 62; Pastor. S: CSL BOR 7, Conv. Fl. Com., Conv. Deleg., Conv. Host, Worship Fo...

Photo of Richard Charles Rudowske Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 63

Richard Charles Rudowske Jr.

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents

Richard Charles Rudowske Jr. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents layperson Elect 2 ministers of religion—ordained, 1 minister of religion— Secretary b. Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Mo.) Board of Regents Elect 2 ministers of religion—ordained, 1 minister of religion— commissioned,...

Photo of Lawrence Robert Rast Jr. from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 65

Lawrence Robert Rast Jr.

Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents

Lawrence Robert Rast Jr. Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents layperson Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained, 1 minister of religion—commissioned, 2 laypersons (3-year term) First Vice-President XV. Report on Candidates for College/University Boards of Regents Elect 1 minister of rel...

pp. 28-30

East-Southeast Region Regional Vice-President

East-Southeast Region Regional Vice-President

..........29 Luke T . Zimmerman........................................................................18 Deric A. Taylor ...............................................................................16 Jeffrey E. Skopak .............................................................................13 W illiam A. (Bill) Harmon ..................

Photo of Andrew N. Grams from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 41

Andrew N. Grams

LCMS Board of Directors

Andrew N. Grams LCMS Board of Directors LCMS Board of Directors layperson Elect 1 layperson (6-year term) Franklin, TN; Redeemer, Nashville TN (MDS); LCMS 54 Andrew N. Grams+, Franklin, TN; Redeemer, Nashville TN (MDS); LCMS 54; Attorney. S: BOD LCMS Exec. Com., LEAD Com., Litigation Com., Governance Com. 7. D: MDS Const. Review Com. 19....

Photo of Julie A. Johnson from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 58

Julie A. Johnson

LCEF Board of Directors

Julie A. Johnson LCEF Board of Directors LCEF Board of Directors not specified Edwardsville, IL; St. Paul, Worden IL (SI); LCMS 62 Julie A. Johnson+, Edwardsville, IL; St. Paul, Worden IL (SI); LCMS 62; Accountant/Business Owner. S: BOD LCEF 3. D: Treas. SI 7. C: Cong. Treas. 16. O: BOT Lewis and Clark Com. College 6, CPA, Business Owner,...

Photo of Joel David Biermann from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 10

Joel David Biermann

President of the Synod

...nal Re viewer ......................................................................2013–2019 Assistant Chaplain, LCMS Convention ..................................................2013 Planning Committee Member and Presenter , LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music ........................2014, 2017 Member, Convention Floor...

Photo of Sean August Willman from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 24

Sean August Willman

First Vice-President of the Synod

...resent P ersonal Statement The church of God is established, strengthened, and sustained by the Word of God and the Holy Sacraments. They are our only source of life in this fallen world. Indeed, in this world that church of God faces tribulation—persecution, false prophets, false doctrine, persistent sin—but Christ our Lord gives peace:...

pp. 25-27

Central Region Regional Vice-President

Central Region Regional Vice-President

...Central Region | 25 Sonntag; Terry D. Tieman; Gregory R. Truwe; Jay W . Watson; William C. Weedon; Joshua J. Willadsen; John C. Wohlrabe Jr.; Mark C. Wood As required by Bylaw 3.12.2.7 (c), the 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...

pp. 25-39

Regional Vice-Presidents

Regional Vice-Presidents

...Central Region | 25 Sonntag; Terry D. Tieman; Gregory R. Truwe; Jay W . Watson; William C. Weedon; Joshua J. Willadsen; John C. Wohlrabe Jr.; Mark C. Wood As required by Bylaw 3.12.2.7 (c), the 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...

Photo of Joel David Biermann from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 26

Joel David Biermann

Central Region Regional Vice-President

...ixth V ice-President, Central Region ........................................2019–2023 Second V ice-President, Central Region ............................... 2023–present District Offices P osition Y ears Member, Convention Floor Committees ...................................2000, 2015 Member, New England District Worship Commission ........

Photo of David Paul Ramirez from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 33

David Paul Ramirez

Great Lakes Region Regional Vice-President

...an Church, Union Grove, WI ......................... 2015–present Synod Offices P osition Y ears Doctrinal Reviewer .................................................................. 2014–present Synod Convention Delegate ...................................................................2016 Committee f or Nominations ......................

Photo of David Paul Ramirez from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 53

David Paul Ramirez

Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors

...Nom. Com. 1. D: CI and SW Pastors’ Conf. Plng. Com. 5, SI Fl. Com. 2, CV SW 5. C: Pastor 17. O: Duke Univ. Luth. Lutheran 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 Superviso...

Photo of Jonathan Everett Conner from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

p. 75

Jonathan Everett Conner

Concordia University Wisconsin Board of Regents

...rdained Manning, IA; Zion, Manning IA (IW); LCMS 41 Jonathan Everett Conner, Manning, IA; Zion, Manning IA (IW); LCMS 41; Pastor. D: IW Jr. Youth Com. Worship Coord/Dean 4, IW Pastors’ Conf. Com./Facil. Coord./Chm. 9, IW Stewp. Com. Chm. 7, Mem. IW BOD 7, IW Multi-Dist. Church Partnership Team 3. C: Pastor 22, Min. Overseer with a DCE 3....

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