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 Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Selbo
Bishop
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 Rev. Dr. Amy C. Little
General Secretary
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 Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen
NALS President
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
The Rev. Dr. David Wendel
Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry & Ecumenism
The Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Ecumenism serves as the Bishop’s representative by responding to invitations, addressing concerns, representing the NALC and finding opportunities to foster and further the NALC’s ecumenical and inter-Lutheran commitments.
Jacksonville, Florida, 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
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
Anne Gleason
Financial Administrator
New Brighton, Minnesota, United States
Ariel Wicker
Communications Specialist
The communications specialist supports the communication needs of the NALC through emails, social media, website, editing, special events and other duties as needed.
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
Rebecka Frontz
Administrative Coordinator for The North American Lutheran Seminary
Irwin, Pennsylvania, United States
The Rev. Susan Fox
Dallas Office Administrator
Dallas, Texas, United States
The Rev. Carol Fryer
Missions Specialist
New York, New York, United States
Pastor Wendy Berthelsen
Assistant for Certification
Cedar Hill, Texas, United States
Sarah Louis
Office Administrator
Bedford, Texas, 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.
Mr. Michael Johnson, CFP
Treasurer
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
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
Current 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.
Rev. Dr. George Black
Auburn, CA
Current term ends 2025
Mr. Samuel Duncomb
Northwood, IA
Current term ends 2024
Rev. Jennifer Gold
Helotes, TX
Current term ends 2023
Rev. Jeffray S. Greene
Brooks, GA
Current term ends 2025
Rev. Leslie Haines
Fort Wayne, IN
Current term ends 2023
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.
Rev. Tom Lurvey
Winnipeg, MB
204-981-4587
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.
Convener of the Deans
Atlantic Mission Region (4 Mission Districts)
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. Dr. 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
Carolinas Mission Region (4 Mission Districts)
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
Michigan Mission District
Dean: The Rev. Dr. Jess Abbott (interim)
Region: Michigan (lower peninsula)
Email
Mid-South Mission District
Dean: The Rev. Scott Ness (Fayetteville, GA; 614-483-1046)
Region: Alabama, Florida panhandle, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee
Email
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
Ohio Mission Region (5 Mission Districts)
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
Co-Deans: The Rev. Scott Smith (Logan, OH; 740-603-2150), 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
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. Kris Brower
Region: Texas (north)
Email
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
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.