SA国际传媒 Newsroom
Pastoral, diaconal calls announced at fall chapel service
Students recognized for completion of programs
Ten students representing five programs at SA国际传媒, St. Louis were recognized Nov. 1 in the Chapel of St. Timothy and Titus for receiving pastoral and diaconal calls and completing their programs.
鈥淲e rejoice in the placement of the five pastoral candidates at a time when our church needs men to serve as pastors in the Lord鈥檚 harvest. I鈥檓 especially pleased to see five deaconesses being placed as well. They will serve Chinese, Hispanic and English populations, bringing spiritual care and theologically informed teaching to their congregations,鈥 said Dr. Glenn Nielsen, senior professor of Practical Theology, director of Placement and director of Certification. 鈥淲e thank our Lord for calling these dedicated men and women to serve in His church.鈥
Pastoral Formation
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Four students completed the M.Div. Program, a residential Ministerial Formation program that prepares men for the pastoral office.
- Matthew Gerzevske, Timothy Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Mo., LCMS Missouri District
- Nathan Harkins, Faith Lutheran Church, Abilene, Kan., LCMS Kansas District
- Erik Johnson,Concordia Lutheran Church, Maplewood, Mo., LCMS Missouri District
- Benjamin Vanderhyde, Calvary Lutheran Church, Wray, Col., LCMS Rocky Mountain District
Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS)
One student was recognized for completing his certification through CHS, the Seminary鈥檚 Spanish language pastoral formation program, and receiving his call.
- Jaime Gonzalez, Comunidad Cristiana Expansion, Rockwall, Texas, LCMS Texas District
Deaconess Studies
Residential Deaconess Studies
One student was recognized for completing the Residential Deaconess Studies program for certification as a commissioned deaconess.
- Michele Doel, St. John鈥檚 Lutheran Church and School, LaPorte, Ind., LCMS Indiana District
Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) Deaconess Studies
Two students were recognized for completing the Deaconess Studies program through CHS and for receiving their calls to serve as deaconesses.
- Fabiana Dos Santos, Comunidad Cristiana Expansion, Rockwall, Texas, LCMS Texas District
- Maria Barron Valadez, Comunidad Cristiana Expansion, Rockwall, Texas, LCMS Texas District
Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) Deaconess Studies
Two students completed the EIIT Deaconess Studies program. The program leads to commissioning as a deaconess in the LCMS.
- Kan Hsu, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Olivette, Mo., LCMS Missouri District
- Helen Zhang, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Olivette, Mo., LCMS Missouri District
The Seminary recognizes and celebrates calls throughout the year although the campus鈥 primary Call Day celebration typically is held in April. During call celebrations, students receive their first calls to ministry as well as assignments for vicarages and deaconess internships. The Seminary鈥檚 next primary Call Day is set for April 30.
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SA国际传媒, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of . To learn more, visit csl.edu.