One hundred sixty-five congregations comprise Iowa District West. Interstate 35, with a few exceptions, serves as our eastern border. Our 2025 district convention convened under the theme “One generation commends Your works to another” (Psalm 145). LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison preached during our opening Divine Service, “The Word of God is living and active!”
During this triennium, we have been acting upon Synod and district convention resolutions concerning reaching out into our communities with Jesus’ love, church worker wellness, promoting a culture of life, encouraging and recruiting pastors and other professional church workers, and more. How are we reaching out into our communities? Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney conducts “Art of Neighboring” workshops and visioning workshops to help individuals and congregations see how they can be neighbors in their communities and bring people to hear the Word of God in our churches. Mrs. Julie Mann assists congregations in establishing Swaddling Clothes ministries as well as Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT). The district reaches out to hurting families and congregations with our LERT training and volunteers and has recently served homes and churches in our district impacted by tornados and flooding. LERT volunteers also traveled to Concordia Seminary to help clear trees and debris following a tornado. Our district also supports Orphan Grain Train. What about church worker wellness and mental health issues? In addition to our two annual professional church worker conferences, we have begun an annual Mutual Consolation of the Brethren gathering initiated and led by Rev. Chad Dietrich. We are renewing our emphasis among pastors on regularly attending our monthly circuit winkels. We host an annual pastors’ wives’ retreat at Camp Okoboji. We passed a resolution to encourage every congregation to enact sexual abuse prevention strategies. We’ve devoted 3 percent of our entire district budget to expand staff and resources of Lutheran Family Service under the care and direction of Rev. Max Phillips and Ms. Wanda Pritzel. Rev. Phillips shares that Lutheran Family Service is the oldest service organization in Iowa, having been organized in 1901. Its mission includes bringing comfort to those who have had an abortion, those who are unexpectedly pregnant, those suffering mental health challenges, and others in need. Rev. Jonathan Conner leads seminars encouraging appropriate use of social media. Also, we have begun regular circuit visitor Zoom meetings followed by in-person meetings to discuss opportunities and issues as we walk together, because Christ is risen indeed! What about promoting a culture of life? Our district convention passed a resolution supporting and encouraging adoptions. Pastors travel to our state capital to discuss life issues and legislation with state government officials at lunch and learns and also Pastors Day on the Hill. Revs. Cory Kroonblawd and Paul Schulz are actively planning activities prior to and alongside the annual Iowa March for Life.
Our convention essayist, the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich of Concordia University, St. Paul, spoke of the changing of generations. President Friedrich told the story of his family’s history in the district. “While times are changing, our theology and confession do not change.”
How are we encouraging and recruiting pastors and other professional church workers? Our 35 preschools serve over 1,400 children. Our eight Lutheran schools are each increasing in enrollment. By God’s grace, with our schools bringing Jesus Christ to God’s dear children, He may lead more into professional church work. The district has distributed over $250,000 in aid again this year to 18 district students attending our Concordia universities and seminaries. Also, our district provides a generous fund available for church workers to help with debt reduction. How about music among God’s children? David’s Harp is a recognized service organization of the Synod that is helping raise the next generation of church musicians in local congregations. It began in the district, at St. Paul, Council Bluffs, several years ago.
The Rev. Paul Egger was elected president of Iowa West District on the first ballot. The Rev. Jonathan Riggert was elected first vice-president and the Rev. Benjamin Dose, second vice-president, also on first ballots.
Our district office has recently experienced major transitions in staffing. From those retiring: District President Steve Turner (after 10 years) to Paul Egger; Administrative Assistant Mrs. Sue Light (46) to Mrs. Emilie Jensen; District President Administrative Assis-
District President Rev. Dr. Steve Turner expressed gratitude and love for the delegates and for the opportunity to serve as the district president for 10 years. He spoke of the strides our district has made in ethnic ministries, in partnerships between congregations, and in support for God’s mission. “Our strength does not lie in us, but in the grace and peace that comes from Jesus Christ.”tant Mrs. Jill Davis (15) to Mrs. Michelle Hammers land; Lutheran Church Extension Fund Vice-President Mrs. Carole White Mander nach (26) to Mr. Josh Remington; and Gift Planning Coordinator Mr. Jim Schroeder (36) to Mr. Leon Shoenfeld. With so many rookies and much to learn, we thank God for our continuing experience in the district office of (in decreasing order of years of experience): Business Manager Roger Curtis, Executive Assistants Ms. Rhonda Mohr and Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney, Missionary-at-Large Rev. Pedro Lopez, and IOWAY Director Mrs. Julie Mann. What about missions here and around the world? Rev. Lopez has been expanding ministry opportunities with Hispanic communities all around the district. Rev. Daniel Mapur has been working with the Sudanese congregation at Grace, Le Mars. There are possibilities for additional Sudanese ministries in Denison, Storm Lake, and Des Moines. In the middle of the district, Mission Central, under the leadership of Mr. Gary Theis and Rev. Steve Schulz, promotes mission awareness and support for missionaries sent around God’s earth. Our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League with mites and prayers supports district, Synod, and worldwide outreach. Our district sends 40 percent of our receipts on to the Synod for the Synod’s work. Another blessing: More of our district congregations are returning to our biblical, confessional, historical practice of every Sunday Communion: the Lord’s Supper for the Lord’s people each Lord’s day, answering the question “How often would Jesus like to meet at His table with hurting souls and care for them?” We in the district look forward to our Lord’s work under His blessing as we gather for our 2026 Synod convention, celebrating Christ Is Risen Indeed! We live in this reality now and into days eternal by His grace. And we anticipate His return, crying out with all His faithful, “Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!”