Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026

Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionBoard for International Mission

Great Plains Region

3 candidates placed on this slate by the Committee for Convention Nominations. 1 links to a profile in the directory.

Candidates (3)

1.
Richard Xeem-Xais HerWhite Bear Lake, MN
Hmong, St. Paul MN· Pastor· LCMS member 17 yrs

Personal statement

I'm a second-generation Hmong immigrant and third-generation Christian. My parents came to the U.S. through Lutheran Social Services. I grew up in the church plants and mission outreaches of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. But as a young adult, my love for Scripture led me to part ways with the C&MA and join the LCMS. I have experienced firsthand what works and what doesn't from my C&MA days to my vicarage at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and the Hmong Mission of Eau Claire, Wis., to my current call at Hmong Lutheran Church (St. Paul, Minn.).

District service

  • Miss. FI. Com

Other service

  • Spkr.
  • Spkr. Christian Living Conf
  • Multi Asian Inter-ethnic Network
2.
Daniel PreusGrand Marais, MN
Life In Christ, Grand Marais MN· Ret. BIM· LCMS member 68 yrs

Personal statement

We have wonderful opportunities before us in the LCMS in the area of international mission. We have already seen marvelous growth in new congregations established and in theological education around the world. I am honored and excited to serve on the Board for International Mission at a time when our commitment to the proclamation of the pure Word as propounded

Synod service

Years
  • Dir. 6
  • First LCMS3
  • 6
  • LCEF 3
  • LCMS 3
  • LCMS 9

Congregation service

Years
  • Pastor20

Other service

  • Exec. Dir. Luther Academy 6
3.
Brent D. SmithOmaha, NE
Divine Shepherd, Omaha NE· Sr. Pastor, Dir. of Min· LCMS member 54 yrs

Personal statement

I currently serve as senior pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb., a congregation that "Loves God, Shares Jesus, and Serves People." In 2025, it stewarded its campus to serve its 1,000 members Word and Sacrament and care for 170 children in its Little Lamb Preschool and Childcare, but it also served 38,000 event participants from the local community. I am open to serving at the request of LCMS members where they see fit. After living and serving in Kazakhstan, Central Asia (1995-1997), and Eurasia (1999-2014), I continue to use a doctorate in missiology to mobilize international short-term teams and support individual missionaries from OIM and other RSOS from Divine Shepherd.

Synod service

Years
  • Career Miss19
  • Miss. Adv
  • Regional Dir. Eurasia7

District service

  • Exec. Dir. of Miss. Devel

Other service

Years
  • Exec. Devel. Officer 2
  • Adjunct Prof. Grand Canyon Univ2
  • Exec. Dir. Leading Edge Miss. Solutions10

About this position

Board for International Mission. 5 seats up for election. Authorized by 2023 Handbook, pp. 23, 103–5, 123, 144–46..

Conditions for election →

Other slates for Board for International Mission

Source: Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees, 69th Regular Synod Convention (Phoenix, Ariz., July 18–23, 2026), published by the Office of the Secretary. Bios key →