Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026

Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionCandidate slate

Lutheran Church Extension Fund Board of Directors

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

Candidates (8)

1.
Michael Lea KummSioux City, IA
Holy Cross, Dakota Dunes SD· Pastor· LCMS member 73 yrs

Personal statement

Having served 13 years on Synod's Board of Directors, I bring extensive experience in the administration and needs of various programs synodwide. I have no preconceived program or platform other than ensuring our congregations and our ordained and commissoned church workers receive full cooperation and reviews for the best fnancial support possible and to support the needs and ministries of the LCMS.

Synod service

Years
  • LCMS Chm10
  • LCMS B0D Vice Chm. & Chm. Personnel Com
  • Chm. Supervisory Int'l Luth. Soc. Wittenberg8

District service

Years
  • 2

Congregation service

Years
  • Pastor26

Other service

  • Interim Gen. Mgr. KFUO Radio
2.
Kevin D. RobsonKirkwood, MO
Hope, St. Louis MO· Candidate Status/ Former LCMS CMO· LCMS member 66 yrs

Personal statement

Thanks be to God for our fathful, energetic Lutheran Church Extension Fund team. LCEF splen- didly advances mission and ministry within and beyond Synod by providing vital hnancial resourcesand services-with impeccable integrity and overflowing joy! My recent decade of service as LCMS Chef Mssion Ofhcer familiarized me wich theassets, connected systems, vast opportunities, and challenges that lie ahead for both the Synod and LCEF. It would be an honor to carry forward a strong theological, financial, marketing, board governance, and strategy background-acquired in Synod, congregation, and secular work contexts-in serving and confessing Christ through the LCEF

Synod service

Years
  • LCMS 10
  • LCMS
  • LCMS Found.
  • LCMS Conv. Fl. Com
  • Conc. Int'i Found
  • LCMS Pastoral Formation Com

District service

  • Pres. MN Confessional Luth
  • Dist. Conv. Fl. Com

Congregation service

Years
  • Pastor15

Other service

Years
  • R&D Proj. Engineer/Grp. Ldr6
  • Product Mgr/Business Devel. Specialist10
3.
Blaise Carroll SedneyBel Air, MD
· Pastor· LCMS member 49 yrs

Personal statement

I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for service to the Synod. My work in fnancial stewardship has strengthened my conviction that everything we have is a gft from God entrusted to us for His purposes. Scripture calls us to love and serve one another and I believe wise, faithful stewardship is

Congregation service

Years
  • Trustee2

Other service

Years
  • Owner & Portfolio Mgr. Morgan-Aly Wealth Mgmt. Grp5
  • Fin. Cons. at TD Ameritrade 4
4.
Matthew Willam HurtlenneRacine, WI
Hales Corners, Hales Corners WI· Assoc. Prof. of Human Resource Devel· LCMS member 50 yrs

Personal statement

With a doctorate in human resources and extensive leadership experience as a strategic planner, I am enthusiastic about serving the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. My expertise in organizational change, behavior, and research methods enables me to provide data-driven insights to support the LCMS. Additionally, my involvement on the Lutheran Federal Credit Union board and my dedication to the LCMS uniquely position me to promote fiscal responsibility and sustainable ministry growth for our church.

Synod service

  • Univ. Reviewer
  • / Dean of the School of Business
  • 7 / Exec. Dir of Univ. Strategic Plng

Congregation service

  • Vol. Basketball Coach
  • School Bd. Dir
  • Elder
  • Church Mem
  • AV Team

Other service

Years
  • Hood College Prog. Reviewer
  • 2
  • Better Business Bureau Found2
  • Academy of Human Re- source Devel. 2,LOCEF Future Plng. Mem3
  • Dodge County 4-H Found5
  • Fin. Adv. Thrivent1
5.
Jill M. JohnsonEdwardsville, IL
· Accountant/Business Owner· LCMS member 62 yrs

Personal statement

As a current member of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Board of Directors, I feel I would be a good candidate to continue to help this extremely important agency for our Synod. I have learned a great deal of information about LCEF over the last three years, and it will allow me to be a well-trained board member in the future. LCEF is key in helping the Synod's ministries grow and thrive, and I am well qualified to assist and promote LCEF.

Synod service

Years
  • LCEF3

District service

  • Treas. SI7

Congregation service

Years
  • Cong. Treas16

Other service

Years
  • Lewis and Clark Com. College6
  • CPA
  • Business Owner
  • Bank Auditor
6.
Jonathan H. KramerNixa, MO
Hope, Republic MO· Retired· LCMS member 71 yrs

Personal statement

I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to serve on the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Board of Directors and the LCEF audit committee over the past seven years. I would welcome the chance to continue to use my financial background in this way. LCEF has an important role to play in supporting the LCMS in its mission and ministry. It is vital for LCEF to remain financially sound so that it can continue to be a benefit to districts, local congregations, schools, universities, rostered church workers, RSOs, and the other organizations of the LCMS while providing a benefht to its investors. LCEF works at developirng partnerships with other LCMS organizations, and it is important that these endeavors continue.

Synod service

Years
  • LCEF 7

District service

Years
  • LCEF 4

Congregation service

  • Treas
  • Pres
  • Elder
  • Chm. Stewp. Com

Other service

  • Hospital Fin. & Admin. 40
7.
Gretchen A. RobertsMaryville, TN
Praise, Maryville TN· CEO and Owner· LCMS member 42 yrs

Personal statement

Despite declining church membership, financial pressure on churches and schools, and a volatile interest rate and macroeconomic environment, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund continues to provide vital fnancial support to congregations and members, including to my own church's building project in 2023. As a steward of fnancial resources, LCEF carries both the burden and privilege of balancing risk and reward on behalf of its ministry partners. My experience in marketing and sales, and as the owner of an accounting, tax, and financial advisory firm, along with 13 years on the CPH Board of Directors, equips me to serve faithfully from a confessional Luther- an perspective.

Synod service

Years
  • incl. Secy
  • Fin. & Investment Com. Exec. Com13

Congregation service

  • Choir
  • Tchr. Dir
  • Pres
  • Pastor's Wife

Other service

Years
  • Marketing Chm. First Luth. School5
  • and Owner Red Bike Adv3
  • Dir. Content & Customer Marketing Alteryx and Autodesk5
8.
Ryan WeirTopeka, KS
· Fiscal & Data Coord· LCMS member 48 yrs

Personal statement

I am honored to be nominated for a position on the Luther- an Church Extension Fund Board of Directors. I view LCEF asa critical tool for the Synod'sjob of supporting congregations in their ministry, witness, and outreach. I appreciate LCEFS stewardship of financial resources to strengthen local congregations. Ifelected, I would provide disciplined governance, engage in collaborative teamwork, and communicate clearly to ensure that LCEF continues to be a strong and responsible partner in the church's work.

Congregation service

  • Cong. Pres
  • Cong. Mem. & Chm. Endowment Bd
  • Luth. School Assoc. of Topeka . Trustee
  • Stewp. Bd
  • Property Com

Other service

Years
  • Prog. Analyst & Data Coord. State of Kansas Dept. of Health and 1 Environment7
  • Nonpartisan Fiscal Analyst State of Kansas Legislative Research Dept2
  • Budget Analyst State of Kansas Dept. for Children and Families3
  • Fiscal Analyst/ Data Analyst Kansas State Dept. of Ed7
  • Fiscal & Data Coord. Kansas State Dept. of Ed4

About this position

Lutheran Church Extension Fund Board of Directors. 3 seats up for election. Authorized by 2023 Handbook, pp. 129–31..

Conditions for election →

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 →