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Lean structure with the local church at its heart

The NALC is very lean structurally, but there is enough structure to help congregations with their ministries. The NALC’s focus is on assisting the ministry of congregations, not on congregations assisting the ministry of the national church.

Executive Staff

The Bishop carries out a pastoral ministry within the church, serving as pastor for the pastors and congregations of the NALC. The Bishop preaches the Gospel, forgives sins, administers the Sacraments and judges doctrine (Augsburg Confession XXVIII). The Bishop carries out a ministry of visitation throughout the church, is a defender of the faith, and promotes the mission of the church.

San Jose, California, United States

Basic Biographical Information: Bishop Selbo has been married for 33 years. He and his wife, Mary, have been blessed with four children and just recently with two grandchildren. Bishop Selbo graduated from San Jose State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. He received a Master of Divinity degree in 1986 and earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Preaching in 2013, both from Luther Seminary. He enjoys golfing, fishing, working in the yard and spending time with family and friends.

The General Secretary functions as the chief operating officer of the NALC managing its day-to-day administrative functions.

Norwalk, Ohio, United States

The Rev. Andrew S. Ames Fuller

Director of Communications

The Director of Communications works with the NALC Executive Staff, Executive Council, and others in the organization to develop and implement communications and marketing strategies to support overall NALC goals and messages, and reach individuals and congregations looking for a Christ-centered, mission-driven church that is making disciples. He also collaborates with pastors, congregations, and others in the NALC to achieve message and identity consistency and the highest standards for internal and external communications.

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

The Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba

Assistant to the Bishop for International Mission

The Assistant to the Bishop for International Mission leads efforts on behalf of the NALC in coordinating international mission activity within the church and support for other related activities.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

The Rev. Phillip Gagnon, STS

Assistant to the Bishop for Domestic Mission & Discipleship

The Assistant to the Bishop for Domestic Mission and Discipleship focuses his efforts in domestic mission, working to support efforts to plant new churches and provide congregational renewal. He also works with the Life-to-Life Discipleship Team to support pastors, lay leaders and congregations interested in intentionally developing disciple-making cultures within their congregations.

St. Albert, Alberta, Canada

Note: Pastor Gagnon is currently on long-term disability (as of May 15, 2022). He is fighting B-cell lymphoma. Prayers are requested. If you need something related to domestic mission please contact Pastor Brad Hales or Pastor David Keener at [email protected].

The NALS President serves as administrator of the North American Lutheran Seminary system, including the Seminary Center at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA and other partner seminaries.

Ambridge, Pennsylvania & Ashland, Ohio, United States

Area Assistants to the Bishop

The assistants to the bishop provide discipling and pastoral care for the deans, pastors and mission districts in five geographic areas of the North American Lutheran Church.

The Rev. Marv Combs

Western Area Assistant to the Bishop

Huntington Beach, California, United States
Current term ends December 2025

The Rev. Dr. Jess Abbott

Midwestern Area Assistant to the Bishop

Loveland, Ohio, United States
Current term ends December 2023

The Rev. Bill White

Eastern Area Assistant to the Bishop

Lexington, South Carolina, United States
Current term ends December 2023

The Rev. Kevin Ree

Northern Area Assistant to the Bishop

Bentley, Alberta, Canada
Current term ends December 2025

The Rev. Mark Braaten

Southern Area Assistant to the Bishop

Bullard, Texas, United States
Current term ends December 2025

Rev. John F. Bradosky, Bishop Emeritus

Director of Area Support and Development

Bradenton, Florida, United States

Program Staff

The Rev. Brad Hales

Director of Church Planting and Aging Ministries

The Director of Church Planting and Aging Ministries helps start new congregations and house churches, assists churches in starting senior and middle age ministries, and using these age groups as a catalyst for outreach and renewal.

Culpeper, Virginia, United States

Mary Bates

Disaster Response Coordinator

The Disaster Response Coordinator works with NALC congregations to respond to disasters in their area.

Caldwell, Ohio, United States
740-509-1132

The Rev. Teresa Peters

Director of Youth and Family Ministry

The Director of Youth and Family Ministry consults with and supports individuals serving in the area of youth and family ministry in their congregations; providing opportunities for individuals to connect and form a Christ-centered community of faith, working together to care for— and equip—our young people.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The Rev. Dr. David Baer

Newsletter Editor

The Newsletter Editor works with the Director of Communications to share the stories of the NALC.

Whitewood, South Dakota, United States

The Rev. David Keener

Director of Renewal and Discipleship

The Director of Renewal and Discipleship works in the areas of congregational renewal and in integrating discipleship into all areas of our NALC mission strategy.

Evans, Georgia, United States

The Rev. Shelly Schultz

Call Process Coordinator

The Call Process Coordinator assists congregations and pastors through the NALC call process. This  includes regularly meeting and praying with congregation call committees, pastors, and mission district deans from the point of receiving a vacancy through calling an ordained pastor.

Jackson Center, Ohio, United States

Melanie Corn

Youth and Family Specialist

Supports Director of Youth and Family, with an emphasis on helping mission districts do events like day camps, district youth group gatherings, etc.

Irmo, South Carolina, United States

The Rev. Dr. Jess Abbott

Special Ministries Military Endorser

Loveland, Ohio, United States

The Rev. Jeff Morlock

Director of Vocational Discernment for The North American Lutheran Seminary

Pastor Morlock networks with pastors, congregations, deans, area assistants to the bishop, NALC staff, and others to identify potential students for the NALS network. He guides potential students in discerning a call to ordained ministry and assists them in understanding NALS standards, requirements, and application procedure, managing all aspects of the recruitment process.

Galloway, Ohio, United States

Administrative Staff

Maddie Benson

Director of Development

Longmont, Colorado, United States

Ariel Wicker

Associate Director of Communications

The Associate Director of Communications works with the Communications Director to support the communication needs of the NALC.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Alana Brooks

Communications Assistant

The Communications Assistant provides support to the communications team wherever necessary, handling website updates, writing and proofing content, composing email and social media messages, archiving content, and more.

Center Moriches, New York, United States

Steven Neaton

Communications Specialist (NALS)

New Baltimore, Michigan, United States

The Rev. Tony D. Ede

Communications Specialist

Dallas, Texas, United States

Anne Gleason

Financial Administrator

New Brighton, Minnesota, United States

The Rev. Carol Fryer

Missions Specialist

New York, New York, United States

The Rev. Susan Fox

Dallas Office Administrator

Dallas, Texas, United States

The Rev. Wendy Berthelsen

Assistant for Certification

Cedar Hill, Texas, United States

Angela Breidenbach

Mission Support & Development

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

The Rev. Tom Brashears

Director of Leadership Development

Irvine, California, United States

Shannon Ames Fuller

Administrative Assistant to the General Secretary

Dallas, Texas, United States

Robin Harris

Administrative Assistant

Jonestown, Pennsylvania, United States

Rebecka Frontz

Administrative Coordinator for The North American Lutheran Seminary

Irwin, Pennsylvania, United States

Executive Council

The Executive Council functions as the board of directors for the NALC, providing leadership for the church between the annual Convocations. The Executive Council consists of the Bishop, four clergy and four lay members who are elected for staggered three-year terms. Terms begin on October 1 in the year elected and end on September 30, three years later. No member of the Executive Council, except the Bishop, may serve more than two consecutive full terms. A partial term of more than two years is considered a full term. The General Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer have voice but not vote on the Executive Council.

The Treasurer is the chief financial officer of the NALC, overseeing the receiving and disbursing of all funds and keeping accurate accounts of all transactions. Further, the Treasurer provides complete and accurate reports for review by all members of the NALC.

Sedona, AZ
Current term ends 2024

The Rev. Mark Werner

Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary is appointed by the Executive Council and assures that proper records are made and retained. Among other things, the Recording Secretary shall assure the maintenance of current lists of (i) ordained ministers of the NALC; (ii) congregations of the NALC; and (iii) commissioned lay leaders of the NALC. The lists maintained by the Recording Secretary shall be used to determine who may participate in Convocations and exercise other rights of membership.

Pittsgrove, NJ
Recording Secretary term ends 2023

Lay Positions

Clergy Positions

Court of Adjudication

The Court of Adjudication hears appeals from disciplinary decisions; resolves questions of interpretation of NALC governing documents; and decides claims that a person or entity has violated these governing documents. The Court of Adjudication consists of seven members, each elected to a three-year term by the annual Convocation. Terms begin on October 1 in the year elected and end on September 30, three years later. Any member of an NALC congregation shall be eligible for election and service.

Read the Court’s “Rules of Procedure”

The Rev. Dr. George Black
Auburn, CA
Current term ends 2025

Mr. Samuel Duncomb
Northwood, IA
Current term ends 2024

The Rev. Jeffray S. Greene
Brooks, GA
Current term ends 2025

The Rev. Leslie Haines
Fort Wayne, IN
Current term ends 2027

The Rev. Ryan Henkel 
Emmons, MN
Current term ends 2027

The Rev. Ronald Hoyum
Bainbridge Island, WA
Current term ends 2025

Mr. Matthew Lind
Bainbridge Island, WA
Current term ends 2025

Inquiry Panel

The NALC Constitution authorizes the Executive Council to develop a process for discipline and appeals. The Inquiry Panel is a part of that plan should such a process be needed.

The Rev. Tom Lurvey
Winnipeg, MB
204-981-4587

The Rev. Lisa Peterson
Marblehead, OH
419-265-9333

Mr. Dan Reynolds
Abilene, KS
785-479-0203

Mission Districts

Congregations shall join in collaboration to fulfill most effectively the ministry and mission of the NALC, normally based on common geographic boundaries. Such organization shall be done in consultation with the bishop and subject to the approval of the executive council.

The deans, who shall be ordained ministers of the NALC, shall be accountable to the bishop and shall support the work of the bishop by conducting similar functions in their respective mission districts. Deans shall serve as pastor to pastors, their families, and congregations and will conduct a ministry of teaching and visitation with pastors and congregations. Deans may continue to serve under the call of a congregation.

Atlantic Mission Region (4 Mission Districts)

Regional Dean

Position Vacant

Central Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Rodney Lilley (Lebanon, PA; 717-926-5647)
Region: South-central Pennsylvania (Lebanon, Lancaster and Berks counties and Abington)
Email

Northeast Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Gregory Davidson (Plymouth, MA)
Region: Delaware, New Jersey, New England, eastern New York, northeastern Pennsylvania
Email

Southern Mission District

Dean: The Rev.  Dennis Di Mauro (Warrenton, VA)
Region: Eastern Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia
Email

Western Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Paula Murray (Glen Rock, PA)
Region: South-central Pennsylvania to the Maryland border, west of the Susquehanna River
Email

Canadian Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Charles Jackson (Sherwood Park, Alberta)
Region: Canada
Email

Assistant Dean: The Rev. Erik Osness (Edmonton, Alberta)
Region: Canada
Email

Carolinas Mission Region (4 Mission Districts)

Catawba Valley Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Stephen Johnson (Hickory, NC; 843-509-9291)
Email              Website 

South Carolina Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Dave Tholstrup
Email             

Southern Piedmont Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Steven Paul King (Lincolnton, NC; 919-222-9071)
Email              Website 

Piedmont-East Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Carl Haynes (Salisbury, NC; 704-223-1468)
Email              Website 

Central Pacific Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Taylor Stempniak (Fresno, CA; 803-767-5128)
Region: Northern California and northern Nevada
Email

Eastern South Dakota Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Thomas Christenson (Castlewood, SD; 605-793-2444)
Region: Eastern South Dakota
Email

Great Plains Mission Region (3 Mission Districts)

Regional Dean

The Rev. Dennis Beckmann (Mankato, KS; 785-476-5220)
Email 

Great Plains Mission District East

Dean: The Rev. Fritz Brandenburg (Westboro, MO)
Region: East of Hwy 77
Email

Great Plains Mission District South

Dean: Vacancy
Region: South of 400 through Missouri including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Ava, Missouri

Great Plains Mission District West

Dean: The Rev. Jeff Cottingham (Gothenburg, NE)
Region: Hwy 77 North to South and KS 400 East to West
Email

Great Rivers Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Carlin Ours (Pontiac, IL)
Region: Illinois
Email

Heartland Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Doug Gast (Greenfield, IN; 317-727-0612)
Region: Indiana and Kentucky
Email               Website

Iowa Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Christopher Staley (Saint Ansgar, IA; 515-357-9052)
Region: Iowa
Email               Website

Michigan Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Jess Abbott (interim)
Region: Michigan (lower peninsula)
Email

Mid-Northeast Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Nila Cogan (Friedens, PA; 814-483-0296)
Region: western Maryland, western New York, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia
Email                Website

Mid-South Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Scott Ness (Fayetteville, GA; 770-461-3403)
Region:  Alabama, Florida panhandle, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee
Email

Minkota Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Steve Bliss (Wannaska, MN; 218-469-2182)
Region: Minnesota and eastern North Dakota
Email                Website

Northwest Mission District

Co-Deans: The Rev. Jody Becker (Salem, OR, 715-415-4323); The Rev. Ian Wolfe (Baker City, OR)
Region: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington

Email The Rev. Jody Becker         Email The Rev. Ian Wolfe

Ohio Mission Region (5 Mission Districts)

North West Ohio Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Hilbert (Bert) Schultz (Jackson Center, OH; 715-418-1037)
Region: counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Shelby (north of Ohio 119), Van Wert, Williams, and Wood
Email                Website

North Central Ohio Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Katherine Pennington (Mansfield, OH)
Region: counties of Crawford, Erie, Huron, Marion, Morrow, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wyandott
Email                Website

North Eastern Ohio Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Michael Koch (Medina, OH; 330-635-8008)
Region: counties of Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne
Email                Website

Southeastern Ohio Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Tom Jacobson (Thornville, OH; 740-246-6576)
Region: counties of Athens, Belmont, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Licking, Madison, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Union, Vinton, and Washington

Email

Southwest Ohio Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Mark Daniels (Centerville, OH)
Region: counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby (south of Ohio 119)
Email               Website

Rocky Mountain Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Ken Hohag (Colorado Springs, CO)
Region: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and the corner of Texas below New Mexico
Email

Sonshine Mission District of Florida

Dean: The Rev. Alan Peacock (Jacksonville, FL; 904-553-4203)
Region: Florida (except panhandle area)
Email

Southwest Pacific Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Randy Ouimette (Arroyo Grande, CA)
Region: Arizona, southern California, Hawaii and southern Nevada
Email

Texas Mission Region (3 Mission Districts)

North Texas Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Ricky Richards
Region: Texas (north)
Email

Southeast Texas Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Jared Stillions (Hallettsville, TX; 404-291-4205)
Region: Texas (southeast) and Louisiana
Email                 Website

Southwest Texas Mission District

Dean: The Rev. Ralph Reitmeyer (Llano, TX; 210-632-2990)
Region: Texas (southwest)
Email                 Website

Western Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming  Mission District

Dean: The Rev. David Baer  (Whitewood, SD)
Region: western Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming
Email

Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

Co-Deans: The Rev. Mark Knappe (Menomonee Falls, WI), The Rev. Tom Reiff (Arbor Vitae, WI)
Region: Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

Email The Rev. Mark Knappe          Email The Rev. Tom Reiff

Website

Ministry of Oversight

The Church is expressed primarily in the congregation but is also manifested in wider structures that serve the ministry of the local congregation. Oversight in the Church has been fundamental since New Testament times. The NALC is served by a bishop, and by regional pastors who are called deans. Both men and women may serve in all offices of the church.

Learn more about the Ministry of Oversight.