Mission Field: USA --- Church Planting

How does the new pastor follow a church-planting pastor once the new congregation has been successfully planted?

Rev. Dr. John Fiene, Emeritus Senior Pastor of Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church, Zionsville, Indiana joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to consider how a pastor succeeds a church planter in a new congregation.

About Rev. Dr. John Fiene:Rev. Dr. John Fiene has been a Church Planter of Grace Lutheran Church in Sandy City, Utah, and later, Advent Lutheran Church, Zionsville, Indiana. Both congregations, subsequent to their own founding, initiated successful new mission congregations. He currently serves as pastor at University Lutheran Chapel on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder, Pastor Fiene has served as Vice-President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain District. He has taught on the subject of mission planting as an adjunct professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana as well as various pastors’ conferences.

Pastor Fiene is happily married to Solvieg Fiene. They are blessed with four children and eight grand children

People don’t talk about church planting if they know nothing about it.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb — Executive for Evangelism and Missions, Stewardship and Human Care at the Central Illinois District-LCMS, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore tools that are available to provide basic information to get the discussion started in your congregation.

About Dr. Ken Schurb:

The Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb has been an Administrative Assistant to the President of the Central Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod since the summer of 2017. Previously he served as a parish pastor for a total of 19 years in two congregations: Peace Lutheran Church in Berne, Indiana and Zion Lutheran Church in Moberly, Missouri.

The Rev. Schurb was trained to be both a pastor and a Lutheran high school teacher. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska with B.A. and B.S.Ed. degrees. Then he attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, from which he holds not only an M.Div. degree but also an S.T.M. He studied the Reformation with Dr. James Kittelson at The Ohio State University, where he received his M.A. and Ph.D.

Dr. Schurb taught at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1992 to 1994. For the next seven years he worked as an assistant to LCMS President A. L. Barry at the Synod’s International Center in St. Louis.

Within the Synod, over the years he has also been a member of the (now defunct) Board for Youth Ministry, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, the Committee on Convention Nominations, and the Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors. While a parish pastor in Missouri, he served as a Vice-President of that District. He is currently the Book Review Editor of the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, and occasionally teaches on an adjunct basis for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

Pastor Schurb and his wife Lana met in church in Columbus, Ohio. They have two children, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

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How does the current status of a congregations, both internally and externally, affect the strategic planning process?

Rev. Todd Kollbaum, Director of Rural and Small Town Mission and Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, NE, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore ministry planning.

About Rev. Todd Kollbaum:Pastor Kollbaum currently serves as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Madison, NE as well as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission. He was installed at Trinity on July 28thof 2019 and has served as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission since April 1, 2013. Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO.

Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for over 30 years. They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a Senior at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (a Sophomore at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE). They are also blessed to be grandparents to 2 year old Theodore Andrew born to Jordan and Steph and one year old Calvin Edward and 4 month old Elliot Neil born to Zach and Clarissa.

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The Holy Spirit works the same today as in any time in history—through the power of the Gospel!

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Mark Wood — Director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and LCMS Revitalization Initiative, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore emerging insights on how to connect the eternal Gospel to our generation.

Rev. Dr. Mark Wood

About Rev. Dr. Mark Wood: The Rev. Dr. Mark A. Wood serves as the director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and the LCMS Revitalization Initiative. He is the creator of the Every One His Witness evangelism program and the re:Vitality revitalization program. Prior to joining the LCMS Office of National Mission in June 2014, he served as the founding pastor of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Lithia, Fla., a daughter congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, Fla., where he served as the evangelism pastor from 2000 to 2008. A second-career pastor, he served for six years on active duty service in the U.S. Air Force and then worked 14 years in the aerospace-defense industry, primarily in project management systems. A 2000 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, he also holds an associate’s degree in computer programming, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Church Planting and Renewal from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. He is married to Mary Ellen, who works as a recruiter for a hospice and home health care personnel services agency. They have five adult children, six grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters.

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In this episode, Rev. Dr. Yared Halche — Facilitator for Inter-Ethnic Mission Engagement for the Southeastern District LCMS, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson —Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to clarify the mission and vision of new work from a biblical perspective and how to incorporate these concepts into a working plan.

About Rev. Dr. Yared Halche:Yared Halche was born and grew up in Ethiopia. He studied theology in Ethiopia, Norway and the United States. He earned his PhD in missiology from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, in 2009. Yared is married to Bethel and the Lord has blessed them with two children. Yared started serving in the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia as a youth leader during the difficult communist era. His professional career started as a seminary teacher in south Ethiopia and continued as a missionary and mission developer in the United States. He served as a mission developer in Las Vegas, NV and regional director for African Immigrants Ministry in the West coast. He pastored a congregation in Indiana that has members from 17 different countries. He currently serves as a Facilitator for Interethnic Mission in the Southeastern District of the LCMS.

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Church plants often begin worship in shared spaces, such as schools and theaters.

In this episode, Rev. Gaven Mize — Pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC — joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the importance of aesthetics in worship and how church plants can adapt to shared spaces.

About Rev. Gaven Mize:Rev. Gaven Mize is the pastor of Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, North Carolina. He holds a bachelor’s’ degree in Pastoral Ministry from Concordia University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana. Rev. Mize has recently defended his doctoral dissertation entitled, "Beauty Appreciation: Sensory Perception as Catechetical Aesthetics." Rev. Mize has presented papers at multiple symposia and has aid reinvasions and architectural catechesis for multiple churches in the LCMS.

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In the Great Commission, Christ calls us to make disciples of all peoples. In our globalized world, the peoples of the world are coming to us.

In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Buse, Executive Director at the Immigrant Mission Field Network, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how we engage in diaspora mission to reach the newly arrived.

About the Rev. Dr. Matthew Buse:Rev. Dr. Buse currently serves as the Founder and Executive Director of the Immigrant Mission Field Network, which supports LCMS congregations in mission field engagement with as many diaspora communities as possible. He is a 2020 graduate of the PhD in Missiology program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Prior to that, he served as Pastor in the Lutheran Church of Australia in parishes in Melbourne and rural South Australia. That arrangement came about after receiving a Master of Theology degree at Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide in 2008. He is a 2007 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary.

Rev. Buse and wife, Rachel, have been married for 18 years. They have two daughters, Mira and Alathea. The family lives in Fort Wayne, IN and are members of Ascension Lutheran Church.

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North America used to be more Christian; that's changing. We want to win it back. Is there a more effective narrative to explain the need for church planting?

In this episode, Rev. Daniel Yang — Director of the Send Institute, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, former Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore a more effective narrative to explain the need for church planting.

About Rev. Daniel Yang:Daniel is the Director of the Send Institute, leading and overseeing all of its initiatives. Prior to directing the institute, he planted a church in Toronto where he also helped recruit, assess, and train church planters through the Send Network and the Release Initiative. Daniel has served on various church staffs including Northwood Church, led by Bob Roberts Jr., where he was trained as a church planter and involved in global and multi-faith engagement. Prior to church planting, Daniel was an engineer for eight years. He earned an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and is currently a Ph.D. Intercultural Studies student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

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The less time a church planter spends looking at a computer screen, the better. What tools can efficiently handle administrative tasks to maximize ministry time?

In this episode, Mr. Peter Frank —Digital Product Owner at Concordia Publishing House, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how to use digital tools to maximize ministry time.

About Peter Frank:Peter Frank is full-time student at Concordia Seminary who also serves part-time at Concordia Publishing House as the Digital Product Owner. His responsibilities include leading Concordia Technology Solutions (CTS), the church management software division. A graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin, his background in theology, business, and technology gives him a unique perspective on software in the church. He is married and the father of two young children.

Resources are limited. How can ministries collaborate, merge or even “replant” to advance Christ's mission?

In this episode, Rev. Todd Kollbaum — director of LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore strategies to maximize resources for Christ's mission.

About Rev. Todd Kollbaum: Pastor Kollbaum currently serves as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Madison, NE as well as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission. He was installed at Trinity on July 28th of 2019 and has served as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission since April 1, 2013. Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO.

Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for over 30 years. They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a Senior at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (a Sophomore at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE). They are also blessed to be grandparents to 2 year old Theodore Andrew born to Jordan and Steph and one year old Calvin Edward and 4 month old Elliot Neil born to Zach and Clarissa.

Church planters are passionate. This passion, even with the best intentions, can lead to conflict.

In this episode, Mr. Ted Kober, Senior Ambassador for Ambassadors of Reconciliation, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore biblical and effective strategies to resolve conflict and heal through a reconciliation process.

Find the "Proclaiming God's Forgiveness" resource mentioned in this episode at aorhope.org/pgf.

About Ted Kober:Ted Kober serves as Senior Ambassador for Ambassadors of Reconciliation (AoR). Since AoR’s founding, he served as President until 2015. Ted has published articles, Bible studies, devotions, training courses, and books including Confession & Forgiveness, Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean? and Built on the Rock: The Healthy Congregation. He teaches in congregations, church-worker conferences, schools, universities, and seminaries throughout the world. He has equipped church body leaders from more than 40 countries. A Certified Christian Conciliator™ since 1992, Ted consults and conciliates in cases ranging from personal disputes to lawsuits and church conflicts. Prior to reconciliation work, he owned or managed more than 30 different companies, and he resolved fifty-nine legal disputes in one estate. He has served on more than 50 boards of directors. He and wife Sonja live in Billings, Montana. They have one son and two grandchildren.

Jesus calls us to care for both the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez— director of LCMS Church and Community Engagement (Retired), joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how assessing needs in the community gives opportunity to share the Gospel.

About Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez:

Pastor Hernandez is a life-long Lutheran, who attended Lutheran elementary and high school in Texas and California.

He graduated from Concordia, Portland in 1963, Concordia Senior College in 1965 (B.A), Concordia Seminary in 1969 (M.Div.) serving his vicarage at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bronx, New York. He also graduated from New York Theological Seminary in 1974 with a Master of Sacred Theology. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, 2012.

He served as Pastor at Trinity and Zion, Wheatland and Douglas, Wyoming (1969-1973), Trinity, Watsonville, California (1974-1995), and Trinity, Glen Cove, New York (1995-1999). He also served as Director, Districts and Congregations, LCMS World Relief and Human Care (1999-2017).

He is married to Maureen (née, Remien) since December 21, 1968 and has five grown children and ten grandchildren.

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Church planting has historically been an important focus of both the national Synod and its districts. So how it is going?

In this episode, Ryan Curnutt— Senior Research Analyst, Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the current trends and challenges in church planting in the LCMS.

About Ryan Curnutt: Ryan Curnutt is senior research analyst at LCMS Research Services. He has served the LCMS national office for 11 years. He was the lead researcher for the 2017 Millennials and the LCMS research. Ryan is married to Kristina with three daughters.

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Gathering and deploying a team to launch various aspects of ministry is a key goal of a church planter.

In this episode, Rev. Jim Woelmer — Senior Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore strategies and advice to build this core team.

About Rev. Jim Woelmer:Rev James Woelmer is pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas, 2002-present. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1990. He served St. John Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska from 1990-2002. He received his Master of Family Life degree from Concordia University in Seward in 1999.

Pastor Woelmer is the Texas District Circuit Visitor, Circuit 13, 2015-present. He is the secretary for the Randolph Foundation, 2014-present. He served as the Chairman of the Lutheran Mission Alliance, 2014-2019. He serves on the Board of Regents Concordia University Nebraska, 2016-present. He is the Dal-North Zone LWML Pastoral Counselor, 2017-present. He is on the steering committee for Multi-Ethnic Ministry in North Texas, 2017-present. He was involved in the establishment of two new congregations: St. John Lutheran Church in Frisco (2015) and Faith Lutheran Church in Wylie (2020).

Pastor Woelmer enjoys jogging and gardening. He and his wife have five children and seven grandchildren.

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The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

Financial resources for church planting never seem to go far enough.

In this episode, Rev. Todd Kollbaum, Director of Rural and Small Town Mission, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the challenges and benefits of a church planter holding a job in addition to planting a church.

About Rev. Todd Kollbaum:Pastor Kollbaum currently serves as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Madison, NE as well as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission. He was installed at Trinity on July 28thof 2019 and has served as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission since April 1, 2013. Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO.

Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for over 30 years. They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a Senior at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (a Sophomore at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE). They are also blessed to be grandparents to 2 year old Theodore Andrew born to Jordan and Steph and one year old Calvin Edward and 4 month old Elliot Neil born to Zach and Clarissa.

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Whether local or global, congregations can face times of crisis and change. How can leaders inspire hope and overcome the paralysis of fear?

Rev. David Fleming— Executive Director for Spiritual Care at DOXOLOGY: the Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel, and associate pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore biblically-based principles to address and even leverage such times for good.

About Rev. David Fleming:Rev. David C. Fleming is DOXOLOGY’s Executive Director for Spiritual Care and a DOXOLOGY Collegium Fellow. He remains a part time pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI where he served as Senior Pastor from 1993-2019. He previously served in Warrenville, IL, a Chicago suburb, and is a 1986 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. He serves on the Concordia University Wisconsin Board of Regents. Rev. Fleming co-wrote “God’s Love at Christmas”, the 2010 Advent-Christmas resource from Concordia Publishing House and has written several articles for Seelsorger, DOXOLOGY's pastoral care journal. Fleming and his wife, Jo Marie, née Wunderlich, have three children and two granddaughters.

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In this follow-up episode on the December 2020 podcast, "Why Should We Plant Churches?" Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz— full professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, dean of graduate studies, director of PhD Missiology Program and co-director of International Studies, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the guiding principles of church planting based on an article by church planting expert Daniel Sanchez.

About Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz:Dr. Schulz joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in the fall of 1998. He serves as professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, dean of Graduate Studies and director of the Ph.D. in Missiology Program.

In 1984, Schulz earned his B.A. degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1988, he successfully completed his M.Div. studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. In 1990, he earned his S.T.M. degree at CTSFW. He then served in the Independent Evangelical–Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) as vicar in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1990–1992. In 1994, he concluded his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, by earning a Th.D. in Systematics.

From 1994–1998, Dr. Schulz was a missionary in Serowe, Botswana, for the Lutheran Church Mission of the SELK. He also served as a guest lecturer at CTSFW during the Fall Quarter in 1997.

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Planting churches is joyous indeed but it's not easy and requires commitment, energy and resources. Should it still be a priority?

The Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz — full professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, dean of graduate studies, director of PhD Missiology Program and co-director of International Studies, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the biblical and practical reasons why new churches should be planted even today.

About the Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz:Dr. Schulz joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in the fall of 1998. He serves as professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, dean of Graduate Studies and director of the Ph.D. in Missiology Program.

In 1984, Schulz earned his B.A. degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1988, he successfully completed his M.Div. studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. In 1990, he earned his S.T.M. degree at CTSFW. He then served in the Independent Evangelical–Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) as vicar in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1990–1992. In 1994, he concluded his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, by earning a Th.D. in Systematics.

From 1994–1998, Dr. Schulz was a missionary in Serowe, Botswana, for the Lutheran Church Mission of the SELK. He also served as a guest lecturer at CTSFW during the Fall Quarter in 1997.

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The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

Social media has become the new social marketplace. We know people hang out there. How do we connect with them to share the Gospel?

In this episode, Seth Hinz— Brand, Marketing, & Creative Director for Pathfinder Church in St. Louis, Missouri, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore communications and social media strategies for outreach.

About Seth Hinz: Seth Hinz is the Brand, Marketing, & Creative Director for Pathfinder Church in St. Louis, Missouri (Nov 2018 – Present). He has also served as the Web/Media Director for Michigan District, LCMS (2010 – 2018), where he grew the District’s digital presence to be a thought leader for LCMS churches in Michigan and beyond in the areas of healthy workers and healthy congregations. He has served as the Social Media Manager for the LCMS National Youth Gathering (2013, 2016, 2019). He founded Lutheran Communicators – a Facebook group comprised of over 2,600 Lutherans interested in communication, social media, and creativity.

He is a graduate of Concordia University Ann Arbor with a BA in Communications and Business Administration, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Administration. He is the son, nephew, and grandson of LCMS pastors.

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The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

Christ's call to "make disciples" includes helping recently connected people to identify with and feel ownership in the ministry.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, Senior Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how ministries can integrate newcomers into the life of the Body of Christ.

About Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe:Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe serves as Senior Pastor at Our Savior Lutheran church in Minot, North Dakota. He earned his M.Div. (2010) and D.Min. (2015) from Concordia Theological Seminary. His dissertation is entitled: “Forming Servant Leaders: Increasing Congregational Involvement in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.”

Trampe has spoken as Plenary at the Synod RSTM Conference and has contributed as a Content Expert to the upcoming Re:Vitality module “Members of One Body.” Trampe served as Secretary of Floor Committee #12 at the 2019 Synod Convention under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola. He was recently assigned to the North Dakota District Witness Task force for Planting and Revitalizing Congregations by President Arie Bertsch.

Trampe has been married to Andrea (Kahle) since 2005, and they have two sons: Jonathan (10) and Andrew (7).

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God can do immeasurably more that we ask or even imagine. Even so, figuring out how to fund a mission looms large.

In this episode, Rev. Mark Frith, LCEF Vice President of Ministry Support, and Casey Carlson, Missouri District Vice President for LCEF, join hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore one of the most daunting aspects of church planting, "From where will the fund come?"

About Rev. Mark Frith:Rev. Mark Frith is Vice President, Ministry Support for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), serving the Central Region. In this role he and his teams serve and support the District LCEF Vice Presidents, their District Staff, congregations, schools, and other ministries with Ministry Clarity Processes, Stewardship, Campaigns, Architectural Counsel, and Laborers For Christ.

Mark’s experience in ministry includes parish pastor, district staff, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. He is married to his wife, Leigh. They are blessed to be the parents of their adult children, Aaron and Hannah

About Mr. Casey Carlson:Carlson serves as the LCEF district vice president – Missouri. He has a B.S. in Finance from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. After 15 years of commercial banking experience between St. Louis, Missouri, and Des Moines, he joined LCEF in 2017.

Besides being an avid sports fan, he enjoys serving others. In the past, he has served as treasurer for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ankeny, and led two high school servant groups from Concordia, Kirkwood.

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The years at college are formative, shaping the worldview and faith of students for their entire lives. What is at stake?

In this episode, Rev. Marcus Zill, Director of Campus Ministry and LCMS U for the LCMS, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore why campus ministry is vital for the future of the church and how your ministry can be involved.

About Rev. Marcus Zill:The Rev. Marcus T. Zill serves as the director of Campus Ministry and LCMS U. He facilitates connectivity among those engaged in campus ministry; oversees campus ministry conferences, training events and the development of related resources; hosts a campus ministry related radio program through KFUO called The Student Union, and provides support and consultation for the growing number of LCMS campus ministries and for those who wish to develop campus outreach.

Prior to beginning work in this position in July 2014, Zill served for more than 15 years as the full-time campus pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Campus Center in Laramie, Wyo., working with students at the University of Wyoming. During that time, he also helped found Higher Things, a youth-oriented Recognized Service Organization, and served for seven years as its Christ on Campus Executive.

Zill and his wife, Bethany, have two sons, Sterling and Grant. The Zill family lives in Albuquerque, N.M.

Lutheran schools are perfect places for outreach to occur.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Schmidt, Director of LCMS School Ministry, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore howto unleash the powerful instrument that Lutheran schools can be for evangelism and discipleship.

About Dr. Rebecca Schmidt:Dr. Rebecca Schmidt currently serves as director of School Ministry for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in classroom teaching from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. She completed a doctorate in educational leadership and supervision at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas. She completed colloquy through Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her professional experience includes teaching, directing early childhood programs, and serving as principal in Lutheran elementary schools in Michigan, Arkansas, and Missouri. Schmidt and her husband, Russell, reside in St. Charles, Mo. They are blessed with two married daughters and four grandchildren.

A place and space for ministry is a natural desire for those planting churches. Unfortunately, what should be a blessing can become an unsustainable burden.

Rev. Mark Frith, Vice President of Ministry Support, and Mr. Casey Carlson, Missouri District Vice-President for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, join hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, share insights on this important topic.

About Rev. Mark Frith:Rev. Mark Frith is Vice President, Ministry Support for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), serving the Central Region. In this role he and his teams serve and support the District LCEF Vice Presidents, their District Staff, congregations, schools, and other ministries with Ministry Clarity Processes, Stewardship, Campaigns, Architectural Counsel, and Laborers For Christ.

Mark’s experience in ministry includes parish pastor, district staff, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. He is married to his wife, Leigh. They are blessed to be the parents of their adult children, Aaron and Hannah

About Mr. Casey Carlson:Carlson serves as the LCEF district vice president – Missouri. He has a B.S. in Finance from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. After 15 years of commercial banking experience between St. Louis, Missouri, and Des Moines, he joined LCEF in 2017.

Besides being an avid sports fan, he enjoys serving others. In the past, he has served as treasurer for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ankeny, and led two high school servant groups from Concordia, Kirkwood.

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The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

In this episode, Rev. Stephen Heimer, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, and Mission Facilitator at Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how mercy and outreach, both commanded by Jesus, work together to fulfill His mission. The Great Commission calls us to reach all people for Christ. The Great Commandment calls us to love all people, especially the poor, in word and deed.

About Rev. Stephen Heimer:Stephen Heimer is pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, also teaching and leading worship each week at Iglesia de la Santa Biblia in Anapra, Mexico. These congregations, working closely with Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), provide help to people in need on both sides of the border.

Stephen served on staff at YLM from 1996 to 2019 in areas of outreach, communications, and as Chief Operating Officer during a variety of natural, human, and economic disasters that affected the border region. Stephen is married to Krysia Heimer who has earned an MA in Christian Outreach from Concordia University St Paul. Both are founding members of Adelante Ministries and Mariachi San Pablo, sharing the Gospel and assisting congregations in evangelism and outreach throughout the United States and northern Mexico. They are parents of five children ages 2 to 12.