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MINNESOTA NORTH AT THE 2025 LCMS YOUTH GATHERING | | | |
Nearly 500 youth and adults from the Minnesota North District attended the LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana. This triennial event, which The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) has held since 1980, brought together nearly 20,000 other youth and adults from around the United States and the world.
At the Gathering, participants heard the Gospel proclaimed each day in Bible studies and breakout sessions, fostered relationships with fellow Lutherans, and completed a collective 150,000 hours of community service.
"Youth ministry starts in homes and congregations, but the Gathering gives youth a chance to see Christ’s church beyond their own communities, as they come together to hear God’s Word with thousands of their peers from LCMS churches all across the country." ~ An LCMS District President
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Rev. Hayden Brown was ordained and installed at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria on June 21, 2025.
Pictured are: Back row: Rev. Kirk Lee, Rev. Jeff Ross, Rev. Jonathan Jahnke, Rev. Steve Meltzer, Rev. Noah Wehrspann, Rev. Dr. Steve Turner. Front row: Rev. Matthew Lorenz, Rev. Scott Brown, Rev. Hayden Brown, Rev. Brady Finnern, Rev. Ryan Pumphrey and Rev. Dane Compton.
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Rev. Dr. James Gimbel was installed at St. John in Kimball on July 7, 2025.
Pictured are: back row: Rev. David Strohschein, Rev. Henry Koopman, Rev. Don Kirsch, Rev. David Taylor, Rev. Paul Cloeter, Rev. Dr. Tim Rehwaldt, Rev. Greg Tomhave, Rev. David Buchs and Rev. Andrew Gimbel. Front row: Rev. Mark Johnson, Rev. Joshua Reber, Rev. Dr. James Gimbel, Rev. Brady Finnern, Rev. John Beck.
| | | St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, MN (the southern most congregation in the MN North District), celebrated their 150th Anniversary on June 22, 2025. | | Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley, MN celebrated their 125th Anniversary on June 29, 2025. Rev. Nathanial Biberdorf, former pastor; Rev. Jonathan Varns, current pastor and District President Rev. Brady Finnern were all on hand for the celebration. They are pictured here with some members of the anniversary committee. | | Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN their 125th Anniversary on June 22, 2025. Rev. Donald Fondow, former MNN DP, served as preacher; Rev. Terry Yahr, current pastor, was the liturgist; and Rev. Dr. Larry Harvala, son of the congregations, was the lector. | | On June 8, Rev. Timothy Lamkin was recognized as the Outstanding School Shepherd in Minnesota. He serves Zion Lutheran in St. Francis. He is pictured with Sean Martens, the MN North Education Executive. Congratulations! | | On June 8, Melissa Lamkin was recognized as the Outstanding School Administrator and the Outstanding High School Teacher in Minnesota. She serves Good Shepherd Lutheran High School in Otsesgo. She is pictured with Sean Martens, the MN North Education Executive. Congratulations! | | | | |
Minnesota North District LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) chainsaw trained members were called on to help after a storm caused damage in northern Minnesota.
They worked by Long Lost Lake on County Highway 39 west of Itasca State Park. A total of 5 chainsaw trained members worked a 4 day deployment. This was the first damage chainsaw deployment ever in MN North. The team did a great job. Many thanks to the crew who helped.
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The Minnesota North delegation to the LWMW National convention on June 26–29, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska gathered with thousands of women under the theme Growing in God's Grace.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18)
Attendees were inspired to dig deeper in God’s Word, nurtured to share the love of Christ with enthusiasm, and encouraged to support missions and our mission goal with joy.
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Concordia Theological Seminary’s Christ Academy: Timothy and Phoebe School program took place in June. Christ Academy provides an incredible experience for high school students, especially for those considering church work.
Two Timothy School students and one Phoebe School student from the MN North District attended Christ Academy this summer: Elijah Berthiaume, Eva Anderson, and Joshua Franck. Miss Rebecca Pumphrey also served as a proctor for Phoebe School.
| | A team from Faith Community Lutheran Church in Zimmerman, MN embarked on a missionary journey to Alaska in June. Pastor Gillard shares: "Missionary exercises {refer to Luke 10} are well underway for this team in the 49th state with the beautiful Saints of God at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Wasilla, Alaska. Many wonderful connections are being made and their hospitality is incredible. In terms of the hammer and nail work, we are ahead of schedule. Credit to Alaska Mission for Christ for brokering the relationship." | | | | | |
CHURCH WORKER WIVES RETREAT
Are you the wife of a church worker (or do you know one who would be blessed by some time to herself?) Join us for our annual retreat at Lutheran Island Camp on September 25-27, 2025. Enjoy Bible Study, Worship, fellowship and time for some R&R in a beautiful fall setting. Learn more and register at the link below.
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Upcoming LERT trainings –
Basic and Chainsaw
(Lutheran Early Response Teams)
Basic LERT training -limit 30
WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 8:30am to 3:00pm.
WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls is the host congregation.
LERT Chainsaw Training – limit 10
PREREQUISTE: Basic LERT certification required. No exceptions. Minimum age:18
WHEN: Saturday, September 6, 2025, 7:30am to 4:00pm. 7:30am-Check in. 8am-Class begins.
WHERE: Faith Community Lutheran Church in Zimmerman is the host congregation.
What is LCMS Disaster Response?
It is a ministry of presence, a presence rich with God’s mercy and Word of life. It serves thousands of individuals and families all over the world who are suffering from loss in the wake of disasters like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires and tornadoes. It also provides an opportunity for the church to be visibly active in reaching out in mercy to serve the hurting and the homeless with physical and spiritual care. The church is able to provide Gospel-centered care for both body and soul in times of tragedy.
Disaster preparedness is a priority of LCMS Disaster Response. Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training, is a program designed to help train congregations to respond when tragedy strikes. In times of disaster the church responds in mercy and love for neighbors in need. Why? Because the love of Christ moves and empowers us to demonstrate his mercy and love in our words and actions. In times of tragedy and disaster, we point people to the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ.
Does your congregation want to get involved? We are looking for congregations to host a LERT training event in this coming year. For information on the responsibilities of hosting and scheduling an event, contact Rev. John Beck at john6beck@gmail.com or (320) 249-4012.
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CHOIR MUSIC AVAILABLE
St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Esko is looking to sell their collection of cantatas for half-off retail price, plus the cost of shipping (if you are unable to pick up). All copies are in good condition.
We also have file cabinets filled with octavos for purchase if anyone wishes to come and look through them.
If interested, please contact the church at (218) 879-3510 or stmattsesko@aol.com to receive a spread sheet of what we have available.
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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) seeks nominations for our next executive director, who will be based in the LWML office on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The position calls for a leader to articulate the mission, vision and ministry of Lutheran Women in Mission through relationships and partnerships around the Synod. Additionally, this leader must inspire a collaborative approach to strategy and mission with our staff and board of directors. Strong operational, financial and business acumen will be critical traits for success.
A detailed position description can be found at the link below. The LWML thanks you for your prayerful consideration of qualified candidates and asks that you submit names to Nathan Thomas, executive director of LCMS Human Resources (nathan.thomas@lcms.org). Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2025. Additionally, candidates may also apply on the Synod’s website: lcms.org/serve/careers/job-postings.
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Walk Where Jesus Walked in the Holy Land with Pastor Jake & Michelle
10 FULL DAYS in-country (13-day itinerary): Depart US on Nov 19 and return Dec 1, 2026.
✚ This spiritual pilgrimage will forever change how you read and understand the Bible. Walk from the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives under a full moon and pray where He prayed in deep anguish. Walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool of Siloam. Cruise the Sea of Galilee, wade in the River Jordan, and float in the Dead Sea. Bethlehem. Jericho. Wilderness of Judah. Nazareth. Capernaum. SO MUCH MORE! ✚
Despite the headlines, tourists are visiting Israel and having a great time. call/text Pastor Jake Gillard at 612-567-0059 for more info.
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The Minnesota North District continues to publish a supplement with the Lutheran Witness. You can find it in the center pages of the printed magazine or digitally at our website: https://www.mnnlcms.org/newsletter
Does your congregation have news to share? Send your photos and stories to our Lutheran Witness Editor, Rev. Travis Lauterbach at: the.lutheran.witness@mnnlcms.org
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm | Closed for Lunch Noon - 1:00pm
Due to varied schedules, office hours may vary, please call ahead for an appointment.
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