August 2, 2025

Friends in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord.

This past week, I had the privilege of gathering with siblings in Christ from across the ELCA for our Churchwide Assembly. There were 14 voting members from the Western North Dakota synod. It was a week filled with worship, prayer, deep conversation, and faithful discernment about where God is leading us as a church.

One of the most significant moments of the week was the election of our next Presiding Bishop. Through the ecclesiastical ballot process, I was both humbled and deeply honored to have my name brought forward by the assembly. Over several days and ballots, the field of nominees was prayerfully narrowed. I finished fourth in that process, and I want to thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. It was a profoundly humbling experience to be considered for this role in our church.

This experience reminded me once again that leadership in the church is never about titles or positions—it is about faithfully listening for where God is calling us to serve. Throughout the week, I was deeply moved by the conversations I had with voting members from every corner of the ELCA. Their stories of ministry, their hopes for the church, and even their honest wrestling with our challenges gave me a renewed sense of gratitude for the body of Christ we share. I leave Phoenix more committed than ever to the ministry and mission we are doing together in Western North Dakota.

On the fifth ballot, the assembly elected the Rev. Yehiel Curry to serve as our next Presiding Bishop. I invite you to join me in praying for Bishop Curry, for those who will serve in other leadership roles elected at the assembly, and for the whole church as we step into the future God is preparing for us.

The assembly also addressed important matters for our common life, including the adoption of the new social statement “Faith and Civic Life,” updates to our governing documents, and commitments to deepen our work in justice, equity, and inclusion. While the work was sometimes challenging, it was always rooted in our shared faith in Christ and our calling to be “For the Life of the World.”

As I return home to our synod, my hope is renewed. I have seen the Spirit at work—in conversations over coffee, in the bold voices of young leaders, and in the deep love people carry for this church. I am convinced more than ever that God’s mission for us in Western North Dakota is vibrant and vital. Together, we will continue to proclaim Christ, serve our neighbors, and bear witness to God’s love in the world.

Thank you for being part of this journey, for holding me and our voting members in prayer, and for walking with the wider church in hope.

Serving in Christ together,

Bishop Craig