Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Pastor, teacher, and staff minister call report

10/10/2023 – 10/16/2023

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

NO DECISION REPORTED

Pastors	Current call	New call	Date issued
Rev Joel Naumann	St Mark LC Eau Claire WI	One Africa Team Pastor; Ministry Training Missionary	9/7/2023
Rev Collin Vanderhoof	Pilgrim LC Menomonee Falls WI	New Mission Start Kronenwetter WI Pastor	9/9/2023
Rev Jonathan Learman	St Peter LC Theresa WI	Morning Star LC Jackson WI Associate Pastor	9/10/2023
Rev John Stelter	St John LC Princeton WI	Hope LC Irmo SC Pastor	9/14/2023
Rev Daniel Schmidt	St Matthew’s LC Oconomowoc WI	St Stephen LC Fall River WI Pastor	9/17/2023
Rev James Fleming	St Peter LC – North Campus Appleton WI	Beautiful Savior LC Cincinnati OH Pastor	9/17/2023
Prof Nicolas Schmoller	Martin Luther College New Ulm MN	Salem LC Stillwater MN Associate Pastor	9/17/2023
Rev Mark Panning	One Africa Team	St Peter LC Savanna IL Trinity LC Mount Carroll IL Pastor	9/20/2023
Rev Zachary Pudlo	Crown of Life LC West Saint Paul MN	Cross of Glory LC Peoria AZ Pastor	9/20/2023
Pastor Keith Schleis	Abiding Faith LC Smyrna TN	Mt Olive LC Lincoln NE Pastor	9/21/2023
Rev Joel Voss	Emanuel First LC Lansing MI	Michigan Lutheran Seminary Saginaw MI Pastor; Dean of Students	9/22/2023
Rev Aaron Steinbrenner	Peace LC Hartford WI	Martin Luther LC Oshkosh WI Associate Pastor	9/24/2023
Rev M John Derme	Shepherd of the Mountains LC Reno NV	Zion LC South Milwaukee WI Pastor	9/24/2023
Rev Benjamin Steenbock	Zion LC Hartland WI	First German LC Manitowoc WI Associate Pastor	9/24/2023
Rev Joseph Berg	Nain LC West Allis WI	Atonement LC Baltimore MD Pastor	9/24/2023
Rev Robert Frick	Mt Calvary LC Waukesha WI	Good Shepherd LC Burnsville MN Associate Pastor	9/24/2023
Rev James Werner	Reformation LC San Diego CA	Peace LC Trinity FL Pastor	9/24/2023
Rev Philip Kieselhorst	Shepherd of the Valley LC Westminster CO	Hope LC Chino Valley AZ & Prescott AZ Associate Pastor	9/25/2023
Rev Silas Schmitzer	St Matthew LC Stoddard WI	New Life LC Rockford IL Pastor	9/26/2023
Rev Matthew Minzlaff	Immanuel LC South Lyon MI	Petra LC Sauk Rapids MN Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Brian Roloff	Ascension LC Plymouth MN	Redeemer LC Tomahawk WI Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Luke Werre	Peace LC Sun Prairie WI	King of Kings LC Frankenmuth MI Mt Sinai LC Montrose MI Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Sean De Frain	St John LC Tarzana CA	St John LC Riga MI Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Mark Voss	Immanuel LC Long Valley NJ	Christ LC Pewaukee WI Associate Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Benjamin Blumer	NorthCross LC Lakeville MN	Crossroads Church Chicago IL Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Brian Pechman	Risen Savior LC Pooler GA	Christ the King LC Port Charlotte FL Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Benjamin Radtke	St Martin’s LC Watertown SD	Christ Our Rock LC Rochester MN Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Tyler Shinnick	Martin Luther LC Neenah WI	St John LC Waterloo WI Associate Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Benjamin Kempfert	Immanuel LC Waupaca WI	Trinity LC Watertown WI Associate Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Paul Krueger	Mt Lebanon LC Milwaukee WI	New Mission Start Idaho Falls ID Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Jason Schmidt	Shepherd of the Hills LC Tucson AZ	Mountain View LC Calgary AB Canada Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Christopher Goelzer	Good Shepherd LC Deltona FL	Rock of Ages LC Kansas City MO Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Glenn Rosenbaum	Grace LC Saint Joseph MI	St Peter’s LC Fond du Lac WI Associate Pastor	10/1/2023
Rev Steven Neumann	New Life LC – Central Kenosha WI	Messiah LC Green Bay WI Associate Pastor	10/3/2023
Rev Tyler Peil	Prince of Peace LC Salt Lake City UT	St John LC Wauwatosa WI Associate Pastor	10/3/2023
Rev Benjy Pederson	Cross of Christ LC Coon Rapids MN	Resurrection LC Chesapeake VA Pastor	10/5/2023
Rev Adam Manian	St John LC Vesta MN Peace LC Echo MN	Gloria Dei LC Grand Blanc MI Pastor	10/5/2023
Rev John Backus	Christ the Lord LC Clearwater FL	Green Valley LC Henderson NV Pastor	10/5/2023
Rev Daniel Heiderich	Good News LC Lehi UT	Our Redeemer LC Yorktown VA Pastor	10/6/2023
Rev Frederic Berger	St Paul’s LC Plymouth NE	St Paul’s LC Stevensville MI Pastor	10/8/2023
Rev Nathan Buege	Victory of the Lamb LC Katy TX	Peace LC Granger IN Pastor	10/8/2023
Pastor John Raasch Sr	Bethel LC Menasha WI	Grace LC Glendale AZ Associate Pastor	10/8/2023
Rev Stephen Schamber Sr	Holy Trinity LC Wyoming MI	Zion LC Valentine NE Pastor	10/9/2023
Rev Aaron Duve	Holy Redeemer LC Port Huron MI	Grace LC Ringle WI Pastor	10/9/2023
Rev David Horton	Beautiful Savior LC Petoskey MI	Eastside LC Madison WI Associate Pastor	10/9/2023
Rev Nicholas Guillaume	Grace LC Casa Grande AZ	Our Savior’s LC Wausau WI Pastor	10/10/2023
Rev Richard Tuttle	Zion LC Mount Pleasant MI	St Peter LC Chilton WI Pastor	10/11/2023
Rev Karl Schultz	Zion LC Rhinelander WI	Spirit of Life LC Caledonia MI Pastor	10/12/2023
Rev Souksamay Phetsanghane	Luther Preparatory School Watertown WI	St Croix Lutheran Academy West Saint Paul MN Pastor; Religion, Counseling	10/15/2023
Teachers	Current call	New call	Date issued
Mr Ryan Jacobs		Winnebago Lutheran Academy Fond du Lac WI Teacher; Provisional Call	9/27/2023
Mrs Susan Riediger	St Paul LS Bangor WI	St Paul LS Bangor WI Teacher; Grades 1-2, Permanent Call	10/4/2023
Mr Christian Monday	Zion LS Denver CO	Zion LS Denver CO Principal	10/8/2023
Miss Hannah Lange	St Paul LS Stevensville MI	Peace Lutheran Early Childhood Center Sun Prairie WI ECM Teacher; 3K	10/15/2023
Mr David Schulz	St Stephen LS Beaver Dam WI	Salem LS Owosso MI Principal; Grades 7-8	10/15/2023
Dr Susan Decker	West Lutheran High School Plymouth MN	Martin Luther College New Ulm MN Professor of English	10/15/2023
Mr Adam Glodowski	Trinity LS Kiel WI	St John LS Lewiston MN Principal; Grades 7-8	10/15/2023
Miss Kathleen VanOrman	Sola Fide Academy Lawrenceville GA	St Matthew’s LS Oconomowoc WI Teacher; Grade 2	10/15/2023
Mr Christopher Avila	Trinity LS West Bend WI	Zion LS Chesaning MI Principal; Grades 5-8	10/15/2023
Mrs Dina Dietzler	St Paul LS Appleton WI	Beautiful Savior LS Cincinnati OH Teacher; Grades 1-2, Grades 5-8 Physical Education	10/15/2023
Mr Kaleb Buch	St Luke’s LS Oakfield WI	Lord of Life LS Thornton CO Principal; Grades 7-8	10/15/2023
Mrs Erika Koniar		Zion LS Rhinelander WI Teacher; Grades 1-2	10/15/2023
Mr Paul Braun	Good Shepherd LS West Bend WI	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL Teacher; Grades 7-8 Math/Science	10/15/2023
Mr Eric Fillner	Star of Bethlehem LS New Berlin WI	St John LS Watertown WI Teacher; Grade 7 Homeroom, Grades 6-8 English Language Arts	10/15/2023
Mr Michael Koestler	Shoreland Lutheran High School Kenosha WI	FVL Schools Inc Appleton WI Administrator; Executive Director	10/15/2023
Mr Michael Starr	Great Plains Lutheran High School Watertown SD	Peridot-Our Savior’s LS Peridot AZ Teacher; Grade 6	10/15/2023
Mr Kyle Bender	Immanuel LS Greenville WI	St Paul LS Stevensville MI Principal; Grades 7-8	10/15/2023
Miss Hannah Cook	Zion LS Chesaning MI	Good Shepherd LS Wisconsin Rapids WI Principal; Grades 1-5	10/15/2023
Mrs Hannah Mueller	Grace LS Saint Joseph MI	Holy Trinity Lutheran Academy – Child Care New Hope MN ECM Director & Teacher	10/15/2023
Mr Joshua Tomlin	Apostles LS San Jose CA	Divine Savior Academy – Santa Rita Ranch Liberty Hill TX Teacher; Middle School Dept Science/History, Coaching	10/15/2023
Miss Alyssa Maertz	Holy Trinity LS Des Moines WA	Divine Savior Academy – Santa Rita Ranch Liberty Hill TX Teacher; Grade 4, Coaching	10/15/2023
Mr David Retzlaff	Good Shepherd LS Burnsville MN	St John LS Libertyville IL Principal & Staff Minister of Outreach	10/15/2023
Mr Nathan Menges	Cross of Christ LS Coon Rapids MN	Grace LS Saint Joseph MI Teacher; Grades 5-8 Dept. Science	10/15/2023
Mr Justin Vilski	Crown of Life LS West Saint Paul MN	Shepherd of the Valley LS Westminster CO Principal; Grades 3-5 HR/Rel., Grades 3-8 Dept. ELA, History, Social Studies, Geography	10/15/2023
Miss Kate Jaeger	Atonement LS Milwaukee WI	Living Hope LS West Allis WI Teacher; Grade 3	10/15/2023
Mr Matthew Behm	Trinity LS Aberdeen SD	St Matthew’s LS Winona MN Teacher; Grades 5-8	10/15/2023
Mr Justin Wintrone	St John LS Libertyville IL	St John LS Redwood Falls MN Teacher; Grade 7	10/15/2023
Ms Rachel Wendt	Mount Lebanon LS – Grades K5 – 4 – Alpha Milwaukee WI	Divine Savior Academy – Santa Rita Ranch Liberty Hill TX ECM Teacher; 4-Year-Old	10/15/2023
Mrs Kayla Wilkins	Trinity LS Marshfield WI	St Paul LS Algoma WI Teacher; Grades 1-2	10/15/2023
Miss Jennifer Hunt	Gethsemane LS Omaha NE	St Paul LS Algoma WI Teacher; Grades 3-4	10/15/2023
Mr Michael Allard	St John LS Neillsville WI	Salem LS Milwaukee WI Principal	10/15/2023
Mr Charles Galecki	St Paul LS Columbus OH	St John LS Milwaukee WI Principal	10/15/2023
Mr Andrew Danner	St Paul LS Plymouth NE	Risen Savior LS Mankato MN Principal; Grades 7-8, Athletic Director	10/15/2023
Miss Wendy Fischer	St John LS Fremont WI	Zion LS Rhinelander WI Teacher; Kindergarten	10/15/2023
Mr David Zank	Kenosha Lutheran Academy (3-8) Kenosha WI	Ascension LS and Preschool Sarasota FL Principal	10/15/2023
Miss Miriam Schliewe	St John LS Redwood Falls MN	Tree of Life Learning Center Oconomowoc WI ECM Teacher; 4K	10/15/2023
Mr Neil Schliewe	Hope Christian Academy Westland MI	Zion LS South Milwaukee WI Principal	10/15/2023
Mr Jared Brennan	St Paul LS Green Bay WI	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL Teacher; Grades 7-8 Dept Government, Religion	10/15/2023
Miss Emily Muir	Evergreen Lutheran High School Tacoma WA	St Marcus LS – North Avenue K4 – Gr 8 Milwaukee WI Teacher; Grades 7-8 Science	10/15/2023
Mr Thomas Plitzuweit	St Matthew’s LS Oconomowoc WI	Great Plains Lutheran High School Watertown SD Principal	10/15/2023
Mr Mark Heckendorf	Winnebago Lutheran Academy Fond du Lac WI	Mt Olive LS Overland Park KS Principal & School Staff Minister	10/15/2023
Mrs Deborah Tessmer		Zion LS Chesaning MI Teacher; Grades K-1 & ECM Teacher	10/15/2023
Mr Daniel Douglas	Risen Savior Christian Academy Pooler GA	New Hope Lutheran Academy West Melbourne FL Teacher; Grades 7-8	10/15/2023
Mrs Katherine Douglas	Risen Savior Christian Academy Pooler GA	New Hope Lutheran Academy West Melbourne FL Teacher; Kindergarten, Half-Time Call	10/15/2023
Mr Casey De Frain	St Mark’s LS Watertown WI	St Luke’s LS Oakfield WI Teacher; Grades 5-6	10/15/2023
Mrs Abigail Galecki	St Paul LS Columbus OH	St John LS Milwaukee WI Teacher; Grade 4	10/15/2023
Miss Rebecca Gervais	Cornerstone Early Learning Center Hugo MN	Christ LC Baxter MN ECM Teacher; 4-Year-Old	10/15/2023
Mr Peter Mathwig	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL	Sola Fide Academy Lawrenceville GA Teacher; Grades 7-9 Social Studies	10/15/2023
Ms Amanda Weinrich	Neenah LS (3-8) Neenah WI	St Croix Lutheran Academy West Saint Paul MN Teacher; Special Education	10/15/2023
Mr Jesse Nofftz	Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School Commerce City CO	St Croix Lutheran Academy West Saint Paul MN Teacher; Social Studies	10/15/2023
Mr Andrew Schoenfeld	Holy Cross LS Madison WI	Michigan Lutheran High School Saint Joseph MI Teacher; Athletic Director, Grade 9 Religion, Grades 9, 12 Physical Education, Football Coach	10/15/2023
Mrs Carlene Braun	Bethlehem LS-North Germantown WI	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL Teacher; Grade 3	10/15/2023
Mrs Cassandra Schilling	Little Town of Bethlehem Preschool Carmel IN	St John LS Westland MI ECM Director & Lead Preschool Teacher	10/15/2023
Mr Bryan Scriver	Life LS Friendswood TX	Divine Savior Academy – Sienna Missouri City TX Teacher; Middle School Vice Principal, Grades 6-8 Social Studies	10/15/2023
Staff Ministers	Current call	New call	Date issued
Mr Nathan Gurgel	Manitowoc Lutheran High School Manitowoc WI	Luther Preparatory School Watertown WI Professor of Communication Technology	10/15/2023

ASSIGNMENT

Teachers		Assignment	Date assigned
Mr Jacob Mathena		Michigan Lutheran High School Saint Joseph MI Teacher; Permanent Assignment, Dorm Supervisor, Social Studies	10/15/2023

CALLS DECLINED

Pastors	Current call	New call	Date declined
Rev Michael Sullivan	Divine Word LC Ottawa ON Canada	Risen Savior LC Mansfield OH Pastor	10/7/2023
Rev Larry Schwanke	St John LC Milton WI	Peace LC Wautoma WI Pastor	10/10/2023
Rev Nathaniel Winkel	Mountain Valley LC Eagle CO	Emmanuel LC Hudson WI Pastor	10/11/2023
Rev Bill Limmer	Victory of the Lamb LC Franklin WI	Immanuel LC Sault Sainte Marie MI Pastor	10/12/2023
Rev Daniel Babinec	St John LC Gladwin MI Good Shepherd LC Beaverton MI	St Paul’s LC Broken Bow NE Pastor	10/12/2023
Rev Thomas Barthel	Rock of Ages LC Payson AZ	Salem LC Owosso MI Pastor	10/12/2023
Rev Nathan Seiltz	Multi-Language Productions	Living Shepherd LC Laramie WY Pastor	10/13/2023
Rev Jacob Scott	Zion LC Arlington WI	St John LC Two Rivers WI Associate Pastor	10/13/2023
Rev Nathanael Brenner	Holy Scripture LC Fort Wayne IN	Living Hope LC Peoria IL Pastor	10/13/2023
Rev James Krueger	Retired	St Matthew LC Ontario WI St John LC Kendall WI Pastor	10/14/2023
Rev James Borgwardt	Redeemer LC Fond du Lac WI	Living Savior LC Kalispell MT Pastor	10/14/2023
Rev Johann Caauwe	St John’s LC Wood Lake MN	Grace LC Geneva NE Trinity LC Grafton NE Pastor	10/14/2023
Rev Andrew DeGier	Trinity LC Merrill WI	Memorial LC Williamston MI Pastor	10/14/2023
Rev David Rosenau	St Mark LC Leesburg FL	Faith LC Antioch IL Associate Pastor	10/14/2023
Rev William King	Good Shepherd LC Cedar Rapids IA	Faith LC Radcliff KY Pastor	10/14/2023
Staff Ministers	Current call	New call	Date declined
Mr James Boggs	St John LC Lannon WI	Divine Word LC Plover WI The Word LC Stevens Point WI Congregation Staff Minister	10/6/2023

RESIGNED

Pastors	Current call	Date resigned
Rev Wolf Parsons	St John’s LC Dakota MN	10/23/2023
Teachers	Current call	Date resigned
Dr Brent Nolte	St Paul LS Mount Calvary WI	10/11/2023
Mrs Kendra Bergmann	Divine Savior Academy – Sienna Missouri City TX	10/13/2023
Mrs Ruth Tuskowski	Shoreland Lutheran High School Kenosha WI	6/30/2024
Mrs Julia Marshall	Divine Savior Academy Doral FL	6/30/2024

CALLED TO ETERNAL GLORY

Teachers	Home church	Death date
Mr Roger Hinz	Living Water LC Hot Springs Village AR	9/26/2023
Prof Eldon Hirsch	St John LC Jefferson WI	10/15/2023

RETIREMENT

Pastors	Current call	Date retired
Rev Thomas Hartwig	Grace LC South Saint Paul MN	12/31/2023
Teachers	Current call	Date retired
Mrs Valerie Hagemann	St Paul LS Wonewoc WI	12/31/2023
Mrs Rebecca Schulz	St Matthew LS Iron Ridge WI	6/30/2024
Miss Sharon Fickau	Zion LS 3K-4K Hartland WI	6/30/2024