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 Wisconsin, Western Wisconsin
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 can’t point to a single moment, and he thinks that’s 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, Michigan
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, Pacific Northwest
Mary Heckendorf grew up in Arizona. Her parents were amazing models of ministry service that 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 3 children, their spouses, and grandchildren. Mary enjoys time with family & friends, hiking, games, crafts, and reading. Joshua 1:9 daily encourages her: “Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Don Patterson
South Central, South Atlantic, North Atlantic
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. Don now serves as a Ministry Recruitment Counselor for the South Central and South Atlantic Districts.
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.
