Sixteen Concordia Nebraska alumni receive calls and placements from LCMS seminaries

Both seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) recently conducted their call day events, a service at which concluding students receive their first calls to ministry and second-year students receive their assignments for vicarages and deaconess internships. Sixteen Concordia University, Nebraska alumni received calls or placements at these events.  

“As Concordia Nebraska is renewing our emphasis on church work preparation, this is a wonderful time to note the impactful contributions our graduates will make on behalf of the church,” said Concordia Nebraska Professor of Theology Dr. Mark W. Meehl.  

On Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne conducted its call day services, which included nine Concordia University, Nebraska alumni.  

Vicarage Placements:  

• Nathan Demlow ‘24, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Catonsville, Maryland 

• Jonathan Landrey ‘23, Immanuel Evangelical Church, Terre Haute, Indiana 

• Philip Norton ‘24, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gresham, Oregon 

  • Norton also received the Concordia Publishing House Award for Writing on the Lutheran Confessions 

• Brandon Streeks ‘24, Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur, Indiana 

• Caleb Zeckzer ‘24, Messiah Lutheran Church, Danville, California 

Pastoral Placements:  

• James Gramzow ‘22, Emmaus Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, Indiana 

  • Gramzow was also named this year’s outstanding student in Greek by the seminary 

• Morgan Phillips ‘22, St. John Lutheran Church, Wagner, SD and Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairfax, South Dakota 

• Carter Thorman ‘22, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ogallala, Nebraska 

  • Thorman was also named this year’s outstanding student in Hebrew by the seminary. He was also given the Shepherd’s Staff Award, a student-nominated honor presented to a fourth-year student who demonstrates outstanding pastoral care, faith and life. It is given to recognize a student for his exceptional service and dedication to the ministerial role. 

Deaconess Placement: 

• Julia Witt ‘23, Zion Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Ohio 

“As Concordia Nebraska is renewing our emphasis on church work preparation, this is a wonderful time to note the impactful contributions our graduates will make on behalf of the church.”

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis conducted its call day service, which included seven Concordia University, Nebraska alumni.  

Vicarage Placements: 

• Christopher Genszler ‘18, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana 

• Daniel Hampton ‘08, New Biginnings Lutheran Church, Pacific, Missouri 

• Zachary Johnson ‘20, Concordia Lutheran Church, Macungie, Pennsylvania 

• Jacob Morse ‘24, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Iowa 

Pastoral Placements: 

• Jacob Anderson ‘22, Associate Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas 

• Jacob Harding ‘20, Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Paola, Kansas 

• Joshua Marlatt ‘22, Associate Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois 

At Concordia University, Nebraska, we equip students to serve as the hands and feet of Christ and be His witnesses through our church work programs. Whether students desire to serve as a Lutheran educator, director of Christian Education, pastor, deaconess or parish musician, they will be prepared to share the love of Jesus around the world.