Nominee section
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
West-Southwest Region nominees for regional vice-president.
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.
Source pages: pp. 37-39
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Section source introduction
Vice-President: West-Southwest Region | 37
Nominee biographies
5 records

p. 37
Timothy Paul (Tim) Ahlman
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
Also candidate for: First Vice-President Personal Statement Centered on the 2026 Convention theme, “Christ Is Risen Indeed” (1 Cor. 15:20–22), I believe resurrection hope is the heartbeat of our mission. This truth is best lived out through koinonia— the deep, shared partnership in our Synod. Because no leader or church can “go it alone,” we must unite to carry out God’s will. By strengthening congregations, supporting pastors, and embracing collaborative ministry, we offer a bold, collective witness. I am convinced that partnerships are an essential vehicle for our Synod, ensuring the love of the triune God reaches every community through our shared work. e. Nominations and Candidates for WestSouthwest Region Regional Vice-President Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained (West-Southwest Region) (3-year term) Nominations Received: A total of 338 nominating votes were cast by 287 congregations of the region. Here following are the names and tallies of all ordained ministers who received nominating votes: Alfonso O. Espinosa......................................................................117 Yohannes A. Mengsteab .................................................................33 Anthony B. (Brian) Flamme ..........................................................22 Scott R. Murray ..............................................................................22 Bradley W . Jurischk .........................................................................16 T imothy P . (Tim) Ahlman ................................................................9 Alfonso J. (AJ) Espinosa ...................................................................9 Eric T . Lange .....................................................................................9 T errence C. (Terry) Chan .................................................................8 6 votes: Michael E. (Mike) Gibson; Daniel A. Hinton 4 votes: T imothy M. Klinkenberg; C. Bryan Wolfmueller 3 votes: Jon M. Braunersreuther; Lonnie A. Gonzales; Anthony F . Kobak; 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 D. Biermann; Alan D. Borcher; Ronald D. Burcham; John W . Cain; Daniel D. Deuel; Michael P . Dorn; Clarence H. Eisberg; Terry R. Forke; Daniel L. Freeman; Jayson S. Galler; Mitchell W . Gowen; Joel J. Held; Kenneth M. (Ken) Hennings; Quincy D. Koll; Kevin L. Kritzer; Michael A. Morehouse; Steven P . Mueller; Donald H. Neidigk; Robert C. Preece; Aaron M. Richert; Carl D. Roth; Jonathan B. Ruehs; Jason S. Rust; John W . Sias; Dale O. Snyder; Morris W . Stephens Jr.; Bradley R. (Brad) Stoltenow; Larry A. Stoterau; Robert P . Sundquist; M. Alan Taylor; Laerte Tardelli H. Voss; Paul G. Wenz; Thomas J. Zelt 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. 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 election of the West-Southwest Region VicePresident is expected to contain the names of the following top five consenting candidates in alphabetical order:
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p. 38
Bradley W ayne Jurischk
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
Open biography

p. 38
Eric T. Lange
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
Open biography

p. 38
Alfonso O. Espinosa
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
Also candidate for: First Vice-President
Open biography

p. 39
Yohannes Andemicael Mengsteab
West-Southwest Region Regional Vice-President
Open biography
