Concordia grads begin ministry

Eighty-three graduates of Concordia have accepted calls this year to ministry as directors of Christian education and as teachers in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and in the mission field.

"Even though we are facing tough economic times, God continues to find places for Concordia  graduates to share their knowledge, gifts, abilities, and the Good News of Jesus Christ in classrooms and with congregations," said Bill Schranz, Concordia's director of synodical placement.

Candidates were placed in 23 of the LCMS' 35 districts and will serve all ages in schools and congregations. The list below of newly called or contracted graduates is divided by district within the LCMS.

California-Nevada-Hawaii

Audrey Haynes, 5th and 6th grade, Redeemer Lutheran School, Ontario, Calif.
Elizabeth G. Morley, 4th grade, Emmanuel Lutheran School, Kahului, Hawaii
Amy M. Williams, Kindergarten, Zion Lutheran School, San Francisco, Calif.

Central Illinois

Rebekah J. Meyer, 1st grade, St. John Lutheran School, Buckley, Ill.
Melissa M. Wren, 1st grade, Trinity Lutheran School, Springfield, Ill.

Florida-Georgia

Gina M. Homolka Bossow, 3-yr-olds, Loving Arms Preschool, Largo, Fla.
Emily L. Hente, Director of Christian Education, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Orlando, Fla.
Christine, Mabrey, 5th-8th grade Math, Grace Lutheran School, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Jennifer L. Griedl Schranz, Middle Level Math and Computer, Faith Lutheran School, Eustis, Fla.
W. Bryan, Schranz, Middle Level Spanish and Literature, Faith Lutheran School, Eustis, Fla.
Ann M. Stevenson, Music and Band, Gloria Dei Lutheran Academy, Davie, Fla.

Indiana

Jeremiah A. Bauer, Director of Christian Education, Zion Lutheran Church, New Palestine, Ind.

Iowa East

Brittnie A. Besel, 3rd grade, Trinity Lutheran School, Davenport, Iowa
Melanie K. Heggemeier, Preschool, Trinity Lutheran School, Davenport, Iowa

Iowa West

Megan K. Koziel, 5th-8th grade Language Arts, Mt. Olive Lutheran School, Des Moines, Iowa
Anna C. Meyer, Preschool, Trinity Lutheran School, Boone, Iowa

Kansas

Kate M. Luckemeyer, Director of Christian Education, St. John Lutheran Church, Ellinwood, Kan.
Noell A. Richters, Kindergarten, Trinity Lutheran School, Winfield, Kan.

Minnesota South

David O. Coulson, Director of Christian Education, Zion Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, Minn.
Lise A. Strom Harwell, Kindergarten-8th grade Music, First Evangelical Lutheran School, Glenco, Minn.
Matthew C. Harwell, Director of Christian Education, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Glencoe, Minn.

Missouri

Hannah R. Krueger Andrews, 4th grade, Salem Lutheran School, Florissant, Mo.
Talitha L. Beaudean, Computer and Religion, Saxony Lutheran High School, Jackson, Mo.
Connie S. Bickel, Preschool, Christ Community Lutheran School, Kirkwood, Mo.
Christopher J. Dehning, 6th-8th grade, Immanuel Lutheran School, Lockwood, Mo.
Natalie M. Brock Evans, 6th-8th grade, Martin Luther Academy, Kansas City, Mo.
Brian J. Falls, Director of Christian Education, New Beginnings Lutheran Church, Pacific, Mo.
Kristen A. Bernhardt Fittje, Pre-Kindergarten, Immanuel Lutheran School, St. Charles, Mo.
Lauren E. Weedon Herberts, 5th-8th grade Language Arts, Our Redeemer Lutheran School, Overland, Mo.
Brittany F. Marrs Kruse, 2nd grade, River Roads Lutheran School Inc., St. Louis, Mo.
Emily M. Moyer, 1st grade, St. Paul Lutheran School, St. Joseph, Mo.
Meghann M. Pinter, 5th grade, St. Paul Lutheran School, Farmington, Mo.
Christopher M. Ramstad, 2nd grade, Immanuel Lutheran School, St. Charles, Mo.
Megan E. Polson Ripke, Art, Green Park Lutheran School, St. Louis, Mo.
Stephanie A. Rosburg, Middle Level English and Literature, Child of God Lutheran School, St. Peters, Mo.
Ashley A. Theilen, Kindergarten, Immanuel Lutheran School, Jefferson City, Mo.

Montana

Kathryn J. Douglas, 3rd grade, Trinity Lutheran School, Billings, Mont.
Debra D. Lee, Preschool, Wee Disciples Lutheran Preschool, Great Falls, Mont.

Nebraska

Karyn R. Backhus, Preschool, St. Paul Lutheran School, Utica, Neb.
Derek W. Bult, 7th and 8th grade Science, St. John Lutheran School, Seward, Neb.
Doni A. Douglass, 2nd and 3rd grade, Christ Lutheran School, Lincoln, Neb.
Barbara A. Fremder, Church Music, Pacific Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb.
Seth M. Heidtbrink, Science, Heartland Lutheran High School, Grand Island, Neb.
Katheryn M. Leonhardt, 3rd grade, Trinity Lutheran School, Fremont, Neb.
M'Leigh D. Rempfer, 7th grade Math, Immanuel Lutheran School, Columbus, Neb.
Charlene Stortz, Middle Level Science and Technology, Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk, Neb.
Jessica A. Sunderman, 4th grade, Messiah Lutheran School, Lincoln, Neb.
Jessica R. Werner, Aide, St. John Lutheran School, Seward, Neb.

Northern Illinois

Elaine R. Filter, Theology and History, Faith Lutheran High School, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Rebecca A. Mol, 5th-8th Math and Science, St. Paul's Lutheran School, Chicago Heights, Ill.
Ashley M. Strecker (Brunkhorst), 3rd grade, St. Paul's Lutheran School, Chicago Heights, Ill.
Kyle A. Strecker, 4th grade, St. Paul's Lutheran School, Chicago Heights, Ill.
Nathaniel H. Watt, Chemistry and Physics, New Lutheran High School, Green Bay, Wis.
Gary A. Zimmerman, Director of Christian Education, Trinity Lutheran Church, Tinely Park, Ill.

Northwest

Jennifer L. Schulteis, 3rd grade, Bethlehem Lutheran School, Kennewick, Wash.
Lindsey A. Howell Weidner, Preschool-8th grade Music, Anchor Lutheran School, Anchorage, Alaska

Ohio

Adele T. Bohnert, Preschool, St. Mark Lutheran School, Milford, Ohio
Benjamin L. Triplett, History, Cleveland Lutheran High School, Rocky River, Ohio

Oklahoma

Amber Navarrette Jackson, 1st grade, First Lutheran, Ponca City, Okla.

Pacific Southwest

Daniel B. Kober, Computer, Faith Lutheran High School, Las Vegas, Nev.
Dana L. Kaio Lewis, 3rd and 4th grade, Christ the Redeemer Lutheran School, Phoenix, Ariz.
Jonathan R. McDaniel, Math and Physics, Faith Lutheran High School, Las Vegas, Nev.

Rocky Mountain

Sarah M. Andrews, Director of Christian Education, Zion Lutheran Church, Farmington, N.M.
Jenny R. DiGiorgio, 1st grade, Immanuel Lutheran School, Loveland, Colo.
Emily A. Hansen, 4th and 5th grade, Messiah Lutheran School, Longmont, Colo.
Jenna A. Lindeman, 4th grade, Trinity Lutheran School, Pueblo, Colo.
Michelle M. Griedl Luevano, 7th grade, Christ Lutheran School, Albuquerque, N.M.

South Dakota

Marianne M. Allen, Kindergarten-2nd grade, Bethesda Lutheran School, Hot Springs, S.D.
Andrew E. Koepp, Director of Christian Education, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, S.D.

South Wisconsin

Cassandra S. Drenkow, Director of Christian Education, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tomah, Wis.
Hannah R. Ferry Meineke, German and Literature, Milwaukee Lutheran High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
Heather C. Sell, Director of Christian Education, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Brookfield, Wis.

Southeastern

Rebekah A. Beal, Director of Christian Education, Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, Kernersville, N.C.
Cara B. Duensing, English and Writing, Baltimore Lutheran High School, Towson, Md.
Mark J. Edmiston, 5th-8th grade Social Sciences and Science, St. John's Lutheran School, Winston Salem, N.C.
Melissa A. Edmiston, Preschool Director, St. John's Lutheran School, Winston Salem, N.C.
Jessica M. Nehrt, 4th grade P.E., St. John's Lutheran School, Winston Salem, N.C.

Southern

Joel I. Henschen, 4th and 5th grade, St. John Lutheran School, New Orleans, La.

Southern Illinois

Matthew J. Foster, Math and Social Sciences, Christ our Savior Lutheran High School, Evansville, Ill.

Texas

Kenneth C. Knippa, Director of Christian Education, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas
Andrew M. Schultz, Physics, Concordia Lutheran High School, Tomball, Texas

International

Jennifer M. Anderson, LCMS World Missions - Kazakhstan
Ann C. Hershberger, Missions - Mexico City