R23 Central Illinois District

R23

Central Illinois District Christ is risen indeed! The Good News of the crucified and risen Lord echoes through the Central Illinois District (CID)’s 148 congregations, which are spread out among half of the counties in our state.

This Good News is sorely needed in a “bad news” world. On Jan. 28, 2026, CID President Michael Mohr was arrested by federal law enforcement on charges related to child pornography. The present report is being written shortly thereafter. We pray God’s hand of justice and mercy will prevail for all affected by this situation and for the whole church. We ask the Lord for His continued grace and wisdom.

In view of the president’s incapacity, on Feb. 2, 2026, the CID board of directors designated the undersigned as acting president, to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the presidency. I welcome the prayers not only of the district but also of the larger Synod.

The previous year, 2025, had already been a time of chang-

2026 Convention Workbook 108 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS greetings from Pioneer on the Lake; Deaconess Susan Knowles, who represented Ambassadors of Reconciliation and spoke of her call to serve as director of deaconess formation at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne; and the Rev. Robert Marshall, who spoke on behalf of Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

The Rev. Dr. Chris Wicher and the Rev. Dr. John Brunner, former district presidents, brought greetings to the convention. Rev.

Dr. Brunner in his address paid tribute to the late Rev. Dr. David Belasic, who preceded him in the district presidency.

The Rev. Dan Galchutt served as keynote speaker for the convention and presented several times on the subject of invincible hope, based on the convention theme. The Rev. Stephen Gewecke, New Jersey district president, served as banquet speaker. The Ser - vant of Christ award, recognizing exceptional service to Christ and His people, was presented to three recipients: the Rev. Barry Keurulainen; DCE Sue Steege; and Mr. Rick Porter.

The Rev. John L. Pingel was elected to a second term as Eastern district president. The Rev. Jeff Nickel of Buffalo was elected first vice-president; the Rev. Dr. Ed Grimenstein, Pittsburgh Region, was elected second vice-president; the Rev. Robert Wiedmayer of Rochester was elected third vice-president (he subsequently took a call to the Southeastern District and the Rev. William Dorow was appointed to the vacancy); and the Rev. John Zimmerman, Philadelphia Region, was elected fourth vice-president. Circuit visitors for the 11 circuits were elected in circuit caucuses.

The major focus of the convention was the invincible hope (1 Peter 1:3)

we have as Christians, based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. President Pingel in his sermon at the opening service spoke to the fact that the church has experienced many a so-called cultural shift across 20 centuries and has not only survived but prospered. God’s Word is still true and His Holy Spirit attends the Means of Grace. Congregations large and small have every reason to be confident and hopeful about the future. Rev. Esget affirmed this message in his closing sermon and then presided over the installation of elected officers.

LCEF regional vice-president A.J. Sinisgalli was introduced to the delegates and appreciation was extended to Mr. Rick Porter who held that position for 17 years.

A number of overtures were approved at the convention, among them (the first four being addressed to this Synod convention):

• To Appoint a Task Force to Improve District Representation on Synod Boards, Boards of Regents, and Commissions • To Address Uses of Artificial Intelligence • To Bring Resolutions with Strong District Support to the Convention Floor • Thanksgiving for the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed • To Approve a Circuit Realignment (Niagara Circuit and Niagara South Circuit)

In his convention address, President Pingel spoke to the accomplishments of the past three years and also cast a vision for the future. Among the accomplishments: Small Church Clarity, facili - tated by Revs. Billy Brath and John Glover, has been conducted in all four regions of the district; Regional Listening Sessions, hosted by district staff, conducted in all four regions; increased assistance to small churches and church workers; initiatives aimed at revitalization and rebirthing of existing congregations; increased opjoined the Northern and Southern Illinois Districts in hosting the summer Illinois Lutheran School Administrative Conference.

Deaf Ministry in CID is in a time of transition. In late 2024, the district’s longtime missionary to the deaf, the Rev. Thomas Phillips, accepted a call to Michigan. CID probably cannot afford a full-time replacement, so the search is on to call a sign language–capable pastor who can serve our districtwide deaf parish on a part-time basis. Also, since most of the work with the deaf is now handled through this multipoint parish, with a deaconess in training, the district is attempting to sell the Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf building in Jacksonville.

Funding the Lord’s work as carried out corporately by the district has been a recurring concern for CID. Overall, while offerings received by our congregations have been increasing through the last 25 or so years, what the churches have remitted to the Synod and district has been declining.

In addition to noting this ongoing concern, the 2025 CID convention took two actions in the area of finances. In one of these, the district authorized a $3 million funding campaign, to provide for repairs and upgrades at district-owned facilities, most of which are mission sites, and to continue building endowments for district missions. It also reaffirmed “A Dollar for Missions,” which CID first adopted in 2022 pursuant to the Synod’s 2019 Res. 8-02. Our 2025 district convention reaffirmation seems to have been taken seriously. By the end of 2025, CID received more than twice as much in “Dollar for Missions” contributions for that year as the total it had received in either 2023 or 2024.

Since CID’s last Synod convention report, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peru disbanded, and Trinity Lutheran Church, LaRose merged with St. Paul Lutheran Church, Varna. Through the Small Church Summit and other means, our district continues trying to counsel very small congregations about their options.

The challenges of ministry sometimes seem overwhelming. The limitations of us all often frustrate. The perils of our own sins always threaten. Yet, like St. Paul, we can be “as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6:9–10). For Christ is risen indeed!

Mark R. Eddy, Acting President