We all play a role in telling the next generation.
Select yours below.
About
Whether you’re prayerfully discerning a call to full-time ministry, or helping someone else recognize their gifts, you have been created with unique influence. Ministry Recruitment Counselors exist to support every member as they consider their role in sending workers into the harvest field.
Mark Schroeder
Northern and Western Wisconsin Districts
Mark has spent nearly twenty years in public ministry as a teacher, coach, and pastor across Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Arizona. When asked what led him to ministry, he cannot point to a single moment, and he thinks that is the point. Parents, congregation members, brothers, and friends all encouraged him to consider ministry. Now as a ministry recruitment counselor, he gets to be that person for someone else. Mark and his wife, Alissa, have three children.
Sam McKenna
Southeastern Wisconsin and Michigan Districts
Sam grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, with little exposure to Christian life. He came to faith as an adult confirmand. After a 33-year career as a Marine, soldier, and contractor in recruiting, he now serves as a ministry recruitment counselor. Sam hopes to pass on a few truths: the joy of serving as a minister of the gospel is real, and encouraging others toward public ministry is everyone’s job, not just the pastor’s. Sam and his wife, Missy, have three adult children.
Mary Heckendorf
Arizona-California and Pacific Northwest Districts
Mary Heckendorf grew up in Arizona. Her parents were amazing models of ministry service who encouraged her from a young age to pursue teaching ministry. She served 25 years in education before becoming a ministry recruitment counselor. She is passionate about encouraging others to consider lives of service and sharing the gospel. Mary lives in Reno, Nevada, with her husband, Joel. They are blessed with three children, their spouses, and grandchildren.
Don Patterson
South Central, South Atlantic, and North Atlantic Districts
Don grew up in Garland, Texas, where his parish pastor’s joy in a life devoted to sharing the gospel first pointed him toward public ministry. After earning a degree from East Texas State University and completing seminary training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Don served Holy Word Lutheran Church in Austin for 34 years, during which he served as district president, mentored 23 vicars, planted seven new churches, and wrote two books. He and his wife, Mary, have four sons and seven grandchildren.
David Russow
Minnesota, Nebraska, and Dakota-Montana Districts
David, a “preacher’s kid,” was born in Wisconsin, lived in California, was confirmed in Nebraska, and then called Minnesota home. Throughout 46 years of ministry, he has served new missions in Wyoming, a teenage congregation (that daughtered another) in Colorado, a new mission in Minnesota, established churches, and a merged congregation with 281 years of combined history. He is thrilled to serve this new gospel opportunity as a ministry recruitment counselor and is convinced, as we all are, that, God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply. David and his wife of 46 years, Kay, have been blessed with five children (their firstborn newly carried to glory in heaven) and their spouses, and 13 grandchildren.
Common Questions
What is a Ministry Recruitment Counselor?
A Ministry Recruitment Counselor exists to encourage and equip you by providing support and resources, so you can confidently help others recognize their gifts and consider how God might use them. We live in a broken world and desperately need workers to share the message of Jesus.
When should I connect with a Ministry Recruitment Counselor?
Today! You don’t have to wait until someone asks, this is about early encouragement and ongoing conversations.
How can a Ministry Recruitment Counselor help me?
- I will pray for you and those you are encouraging.
- I can set up a trip to check out one of our Ministerial Education schools.
- I can help you with resources tailored to your specific needs.
- I can help provide encouragement and guidance as you have these conversations.
