Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026

Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionCollege/University Boards of Regents

Concordia University, Irvine

9 candidates placed on this slate by the Committee for Convention Nominations. 2 link to a profile in the directory.

Candidates (9)

1.
Elroi ReimnitzVictorville, CA
Faith, Hesperia CA· Pastor· LCMS member 66 yrs

Personal statement

I have the required qualifications as a candidate with an advanced degree (Th.D., 1975) and theological acumen gained through extensive teaching experiences as an adjunct professor at the Lutheran University of Brazil, Trinity Theological Seminary, and CUI. Since having taught at CUl in 2014, I have also been very supportive of the faculty, staff, and students with my prayers and personal financial giving. I will be responsible for the academic, inancial, and spiritual health of CUI. I am also very supportive of the doctrinal position of Synod and will conduct all affairs of CUl according to the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of Synod.

Congregation service

Years
  • Pastor48

Other service

Years
  • Adjunct Faculty30
  • Dir. Cultural Language Inst2
  • Commissioner Traffic and Transportation Com2
  • /Coach/ Referee Amer. Youth Soccer Assoc10
  • HOA28
  • Pres./Treas. S. Çalif. Soccer Officials Assoc9
  • Contrib. The Lutheran Witness
2.
Muluneh TayeAlarmeda, CA
Redeeming Grace, Santa Clara CA· Church Plant Pastor· LCMS member 20 yrs

Personal statement

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Christ and His church, having served in pastoral and leadership roles across the California-Nevada-Hawaií District for over 16 years and now as a church-planting pastor. I care deeply about strengthenirng congregations for faithful witness in an increasingly complex context. Drawing on pastoral formation and professional experience in business and organizational leadership, I seek to support sound governance, stewardship, and accountability in service of the Gospel. If elected, I will listen well, ask faithful questions, and work collaboratively so our institutions and agencies may serve congregations and keep Christ at the center of our shared mission. MINISTERS OF RELIGION- -COMMISSIONED Elect 1 minister of religion-commissioned (3year term)

Other service

Years
  • Corp. Exec. & Sr. Mgr17
3.
Robert Scott FogoHouston, TX
Gloria Dei, Houston TX· Exec. Dir· LCMS member 54 yrs

Personal statement

As an alumnus of Concordia University Irvine and a lifelong servant of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, I am honored to be considered for the Board of Regents. For 30 years I have served Lutheran high schools-13 as a teacher and 17 in administrative leadership strengthening academic excellence and Lutheran identity. Christian liberal arts colleges today face significant challenges: demographic shifts, fnancial pressures, cultural headwinds, and increasing regulatory demands. I am fully committed to our Synod's doctrine and mission and to ensuring Concordia remainsa faithful, financially sound institution dedicated to forming future LCMS church workers and Christ-centered leaders for generations to come.

Synod service

  • Mem. Bd. for Youth Serv

District service

  • Pres
  • Various Dist. Com

Congregation service

  • Bible Study Tchr
  • Pres. Youth Grp

Other service

Years
  • Exec. Dir. Luth. Ed. AssOc. of Houston4
  • Luth. Prin11
  • Luth. Tchr./Coach/ Admissions Dir./Asst Prin15
4.
Sarah Elizabeth GaffneyHamel, IL
· Deac./Tchr· LCMS member 57 yrs

Personal statement

My family's university is Concordia University Nebraska. I transferred to and graduated from Concordia University Chicago for the deaconess program. Attending two Concordias gave me experiences in both small town and citycampuses. Growing up in a church work family resulted in family conversations regarding changes in our university system My desire is that our Concordias would stand solidly on Scripture and the Lutheran Confessionsso that we may continue to spread the Gospel, as Matthew 28:19-20 explains. May our universities take this to heart so that we properly train our next workers to carry on and adhere to our common confession.

District service

  • Mem.

Congregation service

Years
  • Parish Deac11
  • Tchr
  • Tchr
  • Youth Grp
  • Ladies' Aid

Other service

Years
  • Voice of Care10
  • Safe Harbor Residential School2
  • Secy. Spiritual & Professional Growth Conc. Deac. Conf5
  • Deac. Interviewer 4
  • Classical Ed

Also candidate for: Board of Regents, Irvine

5.
Julie Ann MannFort Dodge, IA
· Dir. of I0WAY· LCMS member 56 yrs

Personal statement

As an alumna, I continue to uphold and celebrate CUI's core convictions and mission. In the 2 lst century, the importance of continuing to prepare people to be light and salt in the world seems even greater, and serving as a guiding voice to continue the excellent work would be a privilege. We need to remain an institution where instruction and life experiences are centered on high-quality pedagogy and rooted in the Great Commission. I believe CUI is bold in its initiatives while remaining firmly committed to our biblical worldview, and I would like to see that continue and grow. LAYPERSSONS Elect 2 laypersons (3year term)

Synod service

  • LERT Dist. Disaster Relief Coord

District service

  • Dir. of IOWAY Youth & Adult Outreach

Congregation service

Years
  • Worship Musician11

Other service

Years
  • Luth. Tchr./Prin25
  • Accreditation Team
6.
Paul P. EdmonMedford, MA
First, Boston MA· TC St. Research Computing Specialist· LCMS member 43 yrs

Personal statement

In the confusion of a rapidly changing world the Word of God remains "the pure, clear fountain of Israel" (SD Rule and Norm 1). If elected to serve, I will use my experience in science and technology to assist the CTCR in drafting clear and timely theological treatises. I will also work to ensure that we enter into altar and pulpit fellowship with church bodies that share our commitments to the primacy of the Scriptures and a subscription to the Book of Concord in all its doctrines.

Synod service

  • 10, 1, Lay Deleg. LCMS Cony. 2, LCMS Com. A. Com. Sem

District service

Years
  • Lay Deleg Dist. Conv3

Congregation service

Years
  • Cong. Pres. 7. Tcht8
  • Choir15

Other service

  • Supercomputer Specialist 15

Also candidate for: College/University Boards of Regents (Concordia University Irvine)

7.
Laura G. HemmingerBremer. ton, WA
Our Savior, Tacoma WA· Homemaker· LCMS member 36 yrs

Personal statement

Our Concordia universities give us the opportunity toshare Jesus in a uniquely Lutheran context with students, many ofwhom have never heard the Gospel. I mentored students from many of our universities through my work at Lutherans For Life andhave seen the positive impact that an education with a strong Lutheran identity, one that affirms our Lutheran Confessions, can have on students' faith development and future ministry. I've beenhonored to serve as a regent at Concordia Irvine, and I'd be privileged to continue to support the university's commitment to upholdingthe tradition of sound Lutheran, biblically based education.

Synod service

Years
  • 7
  • NYG Plng. Team3
  • LCMS Life. Min. Spkr2
  • LCMSU Spkr2

Congregation service

  • Music Ldr
  • Youth Min. Ldr
  • Vol
  • Youth Miss. Trip Chaperone
  • Women's Min

Other service

  • Spkr
  • Higher Things Conf. Spk. Beautiful Feet Conf. Spkr
  • Young Women's Rep
  • Grant Writing
  • Dir. & Devel. Officer of Y4Life
  • March for Life
  • Sidewalk Coun. Outside Abortion Clinics
  • Pregnancy Ctr. Vol
8.
Gary C. NelsonRohnert Park, CA
St John's, Petaluma CA· Attorney· LCMS member 9 yrs

Personal statement

Our Concordia universities exist to educate our children so that they may know Christ and be found in Him on the Last Day, and when possible, to strive to educate all children, not just our own, in the truth of God'sWord. This is accomplished by providing the best possible education we can using the resources with which we are entrusted, while being faithful to the inerrant Word of God. As a lifelong Californian, want to ensure that Concordia University Irvine serves Christ's church in California and the greater West in this way and that it is found faithful in its teaching and practice.

District service

  • Conv. Deleg
  • Structure Fl. Com

Congregation service

  • Cong. Pres.6
  • Elder

Other service

Years
  • Legal Adv8
  • Partner in Law Firm
9.
Brian Takashi YamabeCampbel, CA
Shepherd of the Valley, San Jose CA· Prin. Software Engineer· LCMS member 20 yrs

Personal statement

Having served as regent at Concordia University Portland andas a 2010 LCMS convention delegate, I understand this role's responsibility. My 10 years on my congregation's board ot elders, study of Synod docunments, and theological work alongside LCMS clergy have grounded me in the Synod's mission. My 30 years in technology have shown me that thechurchmust lead-not react--on Al and emerging technologies. and I believe CUl is well positioned to guide the LCMS in doing so. My daughter attends CUI, where I have seen how a Lutheran education groundedl in the Gospel and the Confessionsshapes students for lives of faith and service.

Synod service

Years
  • 3

Congregation service

Years
  • Cong. Secy12
  • Elder12

Other service

Years
  • Podcast Editor
  • Software Devel30

About this position

Concordia University, Irvine — Board of Regents. 4 seats up for election. Authorized by 2023 Handbook, pp. 171–78..

Conditions for election →

Other slates for College/University Boards of Regents

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 →