Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Pastor, teacher, and staff minister call report

5/2/2023 – 5/8/2023

The call report details when pastors, teachers, & staff ministers change positions within WELS. The Conference of Presidents oversees & coordinates the calling process.

NO DECISION REPORTED

Pastors	Current call	New call	Date issued
Rev Timothy Denney	Shepherd of the Hills LC Duluth MN	Faith LC Radcliff KY Pastor	3/19/2023
Rev Michael Duncan	Asia One Team	Zion LC Ogema WI St John LC Rib Lake WI Pastor; Retirement Call	4/14/2023
Rev Andrew Ewings	Resurrection LC Verona WI	Salem LC Woodbury MN Pastor	4/14/2023
Rev Joshua Schultz	Mountain View LC Great Falls MT	New Mission Start Marquette MI Pastor	4/14/2023
Rev John Berg	Divinity LC Saint Paul MN	Victory LC Lexington KY Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev Peter Sternberg	St John LC Red Wing MN	St Paul’s LC Menomonie WI Associate Pastor	4/16/2023
Pres Matthew Crass	Luther Preparatory School Watertown WI	St John LC Tappen ND Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev Joel Sauer	St Peter’s LC Sturgeon Bay WI	Mountain View LC Calgary AB Canada Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev John Schwartz	Redeemer LC Pierre SD	Good Shepherd LC Omaha NE Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev Ross Else	Emmaus LC Phoenix AZ	Mt Olive LC Lincoln NE Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev Wayne Shevey	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee WI	Gloria Dei LC Grand Blanc MI Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev James Backus	St Mark’s LC Watertown WI	Crown of Life LC Yucaipa CA Pastor	4/16/2023
Rev Daniel Iwinski	Immanuel LC Medford WI	Divine Savior LC Shawano WI Pastor	4/17/2023
Rev Peter Schlicht	Eastside LC Madison WI	Good Shepherd LC West Bend WI Associate Pastor	4/18/2023
Rev Daniel Laitinen	Multi-Language Productions	Divine Savior LC-Sienna Missouri City TX Pastor	4/18/2023
Rev Nathaniel Walther	Grace LC Minot ND	Messiah LC Green Bay WI Associate Pastor	4/20/2023
Rev Benjamin Schaefer	Mt Calvary LC Redding CA	Manitowoc Lutheran High School Manitowoc WI President	4/22/2023
Rev Dustin Blumer	Amazing Love LC Frankfort IL	Manitowoc Lutheran High School Manitowoc WI Pastor; Theology Department	4/22/2023
Rev Matthew Schaewe	Faith LC Sussex WI	Faith LC River Falls WI Pastor	4/23/2023
Rev Aaron Mueller	St Paul LC Howards Grove WI	St Paul’s LC North Mankato MN Associate Pastor	4/23/2023
Rev Lincoln Albrecht	River of Life LC Goodyear AZ	Immanuel LC Salem OR Pastor	4/23/2023
Rev Jasper Sellnow	St Paul LC Mauston WI & Friendship WI	Zion LC South Milwaukee WI Pastor	4/23/2023
Rev John Steinbrenner	Cross of Christ LC Boise ID	Peace LC Trinity FL Pastor	4/23/2023
Rev Matthew Natsis	Good Shepherd LC Livermore CA	St Paul’s LC Rapid City SD Associate Pastor	4/23/2023
Rev Caleb Kurbis	Living Savior LC Asheville NC	Riverview LC Appleton WI Associate Pastor	4/24/2023
Rev Jason Jobs	St John LC Markesan WI	St John LC Centuria WI Redeemer LC Saint Croix Falls WI Pastor	4/25/2023
Rev John Stelljes	Mt Olive LC Shakopee MN	St Lucas LC Milwaukee WI Associate Pastor	4/26/2023
Rev Caleb Bassett	Redeemer LC Fallbrook CA	St Stephen LC Beaver Dam WI Associate Pastor	4/30/2023
Rev Peter Zaferos	Mt Olive LC Suamico WI	Faith LC Sussex WI Associate Pastor	4/30/2023
Rev Craig Born	Risen Savior LC Navarre FL	Petra LC Sauk Rapids MN Pastor	4/30/2023
Rev Jesse Johnston	Mt Calvary LC Harrison WI	Morning Star LC Jackson WI Associate Pastor	4/30/2023
Rev Gregory Sitzman	Zion LC Monroe MI	Zion LC Monroe MI Associate Pastor	4/30/2023
Rev Newlin Schafer	Good Shepherd LC Jacksonville FL	Bethany LC Manitowoc WI Associate Pastor	5/1/2023
Rev Newlin Schafer	Good Shepherd LC Jacksonville FL	Faith LC West Newton PA Pastor	5/1/2023
Rev Joel Neumann	Faith LC Black River Falls WI	Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries Inc Oconomowoc WI Director of Ministry	5/2/2023
Rev Scott Miller	Light of Life LC Greenwood IN	Grace LC Ringle WI Pastor	5/4/2023
Teachers	Current call	New call	Date issued
Mrs Rebecca Engels		St Mark LS Green Bay WI Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call	3/26/2023
Mrs Colleen Bauer	Christ the Lord LS Brookfield WI	Christ the Lord LS Brookfield WI ECM Director; Provisional, Full-Time Call	4/2/2023
Mr Henry Tomhave		Garden Homes LS Milwaukee WI Teacher; Grade 4	4/6/2023
Miss Brigetta Guelker	Southridge Early Learning Center Kennewick WA	Cornerstone Early Learning Center Hugo MN ECM Director	4/10/2023
Mr Kevin Needham	St Paul’s LS Saginaw MI	Christ-St John’s LS West Salem WI Principal; Grades 7-8	4/12/2023
Mr Tyler Geisthardt		Winnebago Lutheran Academy Fond du Lac WI Teacher; Math Dept Chair, Coach, Provisional Call	4/12/2023
Mrs Laurie Biersack	St Paul LS East Troy WI	Christ LS Big Bend WI ECM Director & 4K Teacher	4/12/2023
Miss Cheryl Henckel	Little Lambs Childcare Center West Bend WI	St Paul LS Lake Mills WI ECM Director & Teacher	4/13/2023
Mrs Laurel Dose	St Paul LS Columbus OH	St Philip LS Milwaukee WI Teacher; Lower Grades	4/16/2023
Mr Steven Biedenbender	St Paul’s LS New Ulm MN	Morrison Zion LS Greenleaf WI Teacher; Grades 7-8	4/16/2023
Mr Aaron Hartwig	St Paul LS North Fond du Lac WI	St John LS Lomira WI School Staff Minister; School Shepherd & Grades 3-4	4/16/2023
Mrs Lauri Lettner	Immanuel LS La Crosse WI	St Paul LS Tomah WI Teacher; Grade 1	4/16/2023
Mr Jared Witkowiak	Holy Trinity Lutheran Academy New Hope MN	St Paul LS Muskego WI Teacher; Grade 7, Athletic Director	4/16/2023
Mr Terrance Greening	Grace LS Glendale AZ	Bethany LS Hustisford WI Teacher; Grades 5-8, Administrative Release Teacher, One-Year, Three-Quarter Time Call	4/16/2023
Mrs Rebecca Berg	Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School New Ulm MN	Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School New Ulm MN Teacher; English, Music, Full-Time Permanent Call	4/17/2023
Mrs Abby Zuberbier	Emanuel LS New London WI	Emanuel LS New London WI Administrator; Guided Studies Administrator	4/17/2023
Mr Daniel Unke	Garden Homes LS Milwaukee WI	Luther High School Onalaska WI Teacher; Instructor, Boys Varsity Basketball Coach	4/18/2023
Mr Kurt Walker	Holy Word Christian Academy Austin TX	CrossLife Christian Academy Pflugerville TX Teacher; Grade 2-3	4/21/2023
Mr Anthony Navarro	Mt Olive LS Mankato MN	Mt Olive LS Mankato MN Teacher; One-Year Call	4/23/2023
Mrs Barbara Halvorson		Mt Olive LS Mankato MN Teacher; One-Year Call	4/23/2023
Mrs Natalie Priebe	Emmanuel LS Tempe AZ	Emmanuel LS Tempe AZ Teacher; Grade 5, Half-Time, One-Year Call	4/25/2023
Mrs Ruth Lee		Jesus Loves Me Learning Center North Mankato MN ECM Teacher	4/25/2023
Mrs Dyann Nommensen	St Paul’s LS Fort Atkinson WI	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL ECM Teacher	4/26/2023
Mrs Mary Dellar		Mt Calvary LS Waukesha WI Teacher; Grade 3, Provisional Call	4/26/2023
Mr Gerald Hosbach	Garden Homes LS Milwaukee WI	New Hope Lutheran Academy West Melbourne FL Teacher; Grades 7-8, Half-Time, One-Year Call	4/30/2023
Mrs Madeline Rasmussen	Mt Olive LS Delano MN	Mt Olive LS Delano MN Teacher; Kindergarten, Provisional Call	4/30/2023
Mr Adam Westra		Divine Savior Academy Doral FL Teacher; Theology Instructor, Provisional Call	5/2/2023
Mr Paul Berger	Christ Alone LS Thiensville WI	Salem LS Milwaukee WI Principal; One-Year Call	5/3/2023
Mr Michael Vlieger	Risen Savior LS Mankato MN	Risen Savior LS Mankato MN Principal; Grades 5-6, One-Year Call	5/3/2023
Mr Christopher Joch		Trinity LS Waukesha WI Principal; Provisional Call	5/7/2023
Mrs Lauren Woodhouse		Trinity LS Waukesha WI Teacher; Grade 6	5/7/2023
Mrs Megan Spaude		St Paul LS Stevensville MI Teacher; Grades 7-8	5/7/2023
Ms Violet Dumke		Lord of Life LS Thornton CO Teacher; Grades 1-2, Provisional Call	5/7/2023
Mrs Jill Russow	Christ Alone LS Thiensville WI	Christ Alone LS Thiensville WI Teacher; Upper Grades, Three-Quarter Time, Provisional Call	5/7/2023
Mrs Sarah Williams		Redeemer LS Tucson AZ Teacher; Kindergarten, One-Year Call	5/7/2023
Mrs Erin Moldenhauer	Redeemer LS Tucson AZ	Redeemer LS Tucson AZ ECM Teacher; One-Year, Three-Quarter Time, Provisional Call	5/7/2023
Staff Ministers	Current call	New call	Date issued
Mr Christopher Dean		Divine Savior LC-Delray Beach FL Delray Beach FL Congregation Staff Minister; Provisional Call	4/13/2023
Mr Kevin Walker	Bethlehem LS-North Germantown WI	Victory LC Jacksonville FL Congregation Staff Minister	4/16/2023

CALLS ACCEPTED

Pastors	Current call	New call	Date accepted
Rev William Heiges	Emanuel LC New London WI	Emanuel LC New London WI Pastor; Retirement Call, Senior Ministry	5/7/2023
Rev Stephen Kruschel	St John LC Two Rivers WI	St Paul LC Platteville WI Pastor	5/7/2023
Rev Benjamin Ehlers	Trinity LC Temple TX	St Paul LC Grand Junction CO Pastor	5/7/2023
Teachers	Current call	New call	Date accepted
Mrs Monica Quinnett		St John LS Watertown WI ECM Teacher; One-Year, Half-Time Call	4/20/2023
Mrs Sara Johnson	Good Shepherd LS Sioux Falls SD	Good Shepherd LS Sioux Falls SD Teacher; Grades 3-4, Permanent Call	4/30/2023
Mr Anthony Perry	Salem LS Owosso MI	West Lutheran High School Plymouth MN Teacher; Social Studies	5/3/2023
Mrs Linda Baumann	FVL Schools Inc Appleton WI	Trinity LS Brillion WI Teacher; Grade 4	5/3/2023
Mrs Kelly West	St Matthew LS Spokane WA	St Matthew LS Spokane WA Teacher; Grade 1, Provisional Call	5/3/2023
Mr Jeffrey Wetzel	St Paul LS Muskego WI	Christ LS Big Bend WI Principal; Grades 7-8	5/4/2023
Miss Mattison Martindale	Shepherd LS Albuquerque NM	St Bartholomew LS Kawkawlin MI Teacher; Kindergarten	5/4/2023
Mrs Stephanie Ivan		St Paul LS Appleton WI Teacher; Upper Grades Spanish, Less-Than-Half Time Call	5/5/2023
Miss Brianna Heikkinen		Living Hope LS West Allis WI Teacher; Grade 7, Provisional Call	5/5/2023
Ms Katie Anez		Mt Olive LS Delano MN Principal; Grades 6-8, Provisional Call	5/6/2023
Mrs Kayla Strege		St Paul LS Algoma WI ECM Director; Provisional Call	5/6/2023
Mr Paul Marquardt	Garden Homes LC Milwaukee WI	Wisconsin LS-Middle School (6-8) Racine WI Teacher; Grade 8 Homeroom, Grades 6-8 Social Studies	5/7/2023
Mrs Sheila Burfield		Precious Lambs Preschool Rochester MN ECM Director & Lead Teacher, Provisional Call	5/7/2023

CALLS DECLINED

Pastors	Current call	New call	Date declined
Rev Mark Rohrback	Redeemer LC Cedarburg WI	Peace LC Granger IN Pastor	5/1/2023
Rev Theodore Olsen	Zion LC Kiel WI	Cross of Christ LC Kingman AZ Pastor	5/2/2023
Rev Jonathan Nitz	Star of Bethlehem LC New Berlin WI	St Mark LC Salina KS Pastor	5/3/2023
Rev Russell Wilke III	St Paul LC Mauston WI	Trinity LC Kiel WI Associate Pastor	5/4/2023
Rev Philip Moldenhauer	Our Redeemer LC Madison WI	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee WI Professor	5/4/2023
Rev Lucas Bitter	Intown LC Atlanta GA	Crown of Life LC Warren MI Pastor	5/4/2023
Rev Steven Waldschmidt	Christ Alone LC Dardenne Prairie MO	Trinity LC Neenah WI Associate Pastor	5/4/2023
Rev Joel McKenney	St Paul LC Algoma WI	Mt Olive LC Delano MN Pastor	5/5/2023
Rev Joel McKenney	St Paul LC Algoma WI	Trinity LC Watertown WI Associate Pastor	5/5/2023
Rev Peter Hagen	Resurrection LC Maumee OH	New Life LC Rockford IL Pastor	5/5/2023
Rev Andrew Schrimpf	Cross of Glory LC Baton Rouge LA	Salem LC Stillwater MN Associate Pastor	5/5/2023
Rev Marc VonDeylen	Lord of Life LC Friendswood TX	Our Shepherd LC Lancaster CA Pastor	5/6/2023
Rev James Grabitske	Trinity LC Buffalo MN St Paul LC Montrose MN	Good Shepherd LC Midland MI Pastor	5/6/2023
Rev Daniel Walters	Good Shepherd LC Burnsville MN	St Paul LC Prescott WI Pastor	5/6/2023
Rev Jason Free	Christ the Lord LC Brookfield WI	St John’s LC Jefferson WI Associate Pastor	5/6/2023
Rev Wayne Uhlhorn	NW-SA-SC-SEW Regional Mission Counselor	Board for Home Missions Administrator	5/7/2023
Rev Daniel Berg	Our Savior LC Harrisonville MO	Living Hope LC Peoria IL Pastor	5/7/2023
Teachers	Current call	New call	Date declined
Mr Luke Hartzell	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL	Arizona Lutheran Academy Phoenix AZ Teacher; Upper-Level Math	4/29/2023
Miss Megan Bauer	St John LS Wauwatosa WI	Divine Savior Lutheran Academy Delray Beach FL Teacher; Grade 2	4/30/2023
Mr Matthew Doering	Lakeside Lutheran High School Lake Mills WI	One Africa Team (OAT) Administrator	5/2/2023
Mr Joshua Walker	St Jacobi LS Greenfield WI	St Paul LS Stevensville MI Principal; Grades 7-8	5/2/2023
Prof Jordan Schmitzer	Michigan Lutheran Seminary Saginaw MI	West Lutheran High School Plymouth MN Teacher; Science & STEM	5/2/2023
Mrs Shelley Kromschroeder	Salem LS Greenfield MN	Bloomington LS Bloomington MN Teacher; Grades 6-8 Literature, Technology	5/2/2023
Mrs Joy Elowski	St Matthew’s LS Oconomowoc WI	Cross of Glory LS Washington MI Teacher; Grades 3-5	5/3/2023
Mr Daryl Weber	Bethlehem LS-South Menomonee Falls WI Bethlehem LS-North Germantown WI	East Fork LS Whiteriver AZ Principal	5/3/2023
Mrs Bridget Weber	Bethlehem LS-North Germantown WI	East Fork LS Whiteriver AZ Teacher; Grade 6	5/3/2023
Mr Jason Snodie	Trinity LS Waukesha WI	Good Shepherd LS West Bend WI Teacher; Grade 6 HR, 5-8 Dept., Music – school choir, school/church music	5/3/2023
Mr Zachary Biebert	St Mark LS Green Bay WI	Crown of Life Christian Academy Fort Myers FL Principal	5/3/2023
Mrs Brittany Battermann	Immanuel LS Greenville WI	New Hope Lutheran Academy West Melbourne FL Teacher; Grades 1-2	5/4/2023
Mrs Sophia Dorn	St John LS Waterloo WI	St Paul LS Lake Mills WI Teacher; Grade 6 Homeroom, Grades 6-8 Science	5/4/2023
Miss Brea Biebert	Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School Wauwatosa WI	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL Teacher; Grade 7 Science, Theology	5/4/2023
Mr William Geisz		Illinois Lutheran High School Crete IL Teacher; Spanish	5/4/2023
Mrs Joan Arndt	Good Shepherd LS Burnsville MN	Peace Lutheran Early Childhood Center Sun Prairie WI ECM Teacher; 3K	5/5/2023
Mr Thomas Banaszak	Morning Star LC Jackson WI	St John LS Libertyville IL Principal & Staff Minister of Outreach	5/5/2023
Mr Kenneth White	St Paul LS East Troy WI	Trinity LS Marinette WI Principal; Grades 5-8 (50% teaching)	5/5/2023
Mr William Arndt	Good Shepherd LS Burnsville MN	Peace LS Sun Prairie WI Teacher; Grade 7	5/5/2023
Mr Daniel Kell	Christ LS Zumbrota MN	St Paul LS Bloomer WI Principal; Upper grades	5/6/2023
Mr Neil Schliewe	Huron Valley Lutheran High School Westland MI	Zion LS K-8th Grade Hartland WI Principal; Grades 5-8	5/7/2023
Miss Rachel Nemitz	St John LS Manitowoc WI	Winnebago Lutheran Academy Fond du Lac WI Teacher; Special Education	5/7/2023
Mr Nathan Deering	Lord of Life LS Thornton CO	Immanuel LS Salem OR Teacher; Grades 4-5, Athletics	5/7/2023

RESIGNED

Teachers	Current call	Date resigned
Mrs Lisa Haider	St Martin’s LS Watertown SD	4/21/2023
Ms Tina Bennett	Leap of Faith Early Childhood Center New Lisbon WI	4/30/2023
Ms Kasey Hoffman	Dei Spring Child Care Center Cold Spring MN	4/30/2023
Mr Nathan Graumann	Apostles Lutheran High School San Jose CA	6/30/2023
Staff Ministers	Current call	Date resigned
Mr Nathan Graumann	Apostles LC San Jose CA	6/30/2023

RETIREMENT

Pastors	Current call	Date retired
Rev William Heiges	Emanuel LC New London WI	6/30/2023
Rev Donald Pieper	Green Valley LC Henderson NV	7/31/2023
Rev David Voss	Memorial LC & LS Williamston MI	10/31/2023