Under Construction
Hi. Thanks for visiting my blog. I thought it best to let people know something about me and my ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
[For LCMS Churches and church workers, you can find my formal SET (Self Evaluation Tool) here. This is the official document that I submit to the LCMS MO District President.]
Family
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| Pr. Sell & Donna |
The Lord blessed me with faithful Lutheran parents, who sacrificed a great deal to raise me and my brother in the Lutheran school system. As a "blue collar" couple from Detroit, they worked two jobs and raised us in our baptisms (Mt. 28:19-20).
My mom (Eleanor Moldenhauer) and dad (Ed) both died of cancer and our last days with them was a blessing of tears and joy. Hospice was was wonderful to our family and taught us about our new vocations as Hospice patients and caregivers (Philippians 3:9-11). My brother lives north of Detroit and works for RCO Engineering with his wife Allison and their 3 children.
My mom (Eleanor Moldenhauer) and dad (Ed) both died of cancer and our last days with them was a blessing of tears and joy. Hospice was was wonderful to our family and taught us about our new vocations as Hospice patients and caregivers (Philippians 3:9-11). My brother lives north of Detroit and works for RCO Engineering with his wife Allison and their 3 children.
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| Madison & Parker |
My wife (24 years) Donna (South Whitley, IN) works with autistic children in the local school system. Madison, my daughter (17), graduated early from high school and is working and attending college. Parker, my son, is in 8th grade at St. Paul's Lutheran School, Des Peres, MO.
Education
"I'm a Lutheran pastor because of my Lutheran school teachers."
Grade School
- Mt. Calvary Lutheran School, Detroit MI.
- Bethany Lutheran School, Detroit MI
High School
- Lutheran High School East, Harper Woods MI
College
Concordia University, Ann Arbor
Seminary
- Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne IN M. Div., Stm.
- Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO Phd course work and tests completed. Final exam and dissertate some day.
Church Ministry
Currently
Faith Lutheran Church, Washington, MO. Since November, 2010, serving as Faith's vacancy pastor as I await the Lord's call to a congregation.
Trinity Lutheran Ministries, Edwardsville, IL Since 2009 serving as visitation pastor, monthly visiting shut-ins, performing Senior adult services, and following through with end of life ministry. My bio at Trinity's website.
Most Recently
Immanuel Lutheran Church, (ILCSW Confirmation) Wentzville MO - Part time pastoral assistant. Serving shut-ins, preaching, teaching, and other responsibilities as needed. Mentor to younger staff members and focused on confirmation.
Ending in Hope - A committee of the Missouri District of the LCMS to help churches identify and transition at the end of their ministry in a given location. Ending in Hope helps congregations and pastors evaluate their ability to transition or possibly bring their congregation to place where they can decommission and support Christ's church in a different place.
From 1988 - 2008 (no particular order)
Concordia High School, Ft. Wayne IN - part time religion instructor
Holy Cross, Ft. Wayne IN - pastoral assistant while working on Stm.
St. Joseph Hospital, Ft. Wayne IN - manager of night shift chaplains
Trinity Lutheran Church, St. George UT - Sole Pastor (8 yrs); Trinity began a grade school and built the school during my tenure.
Hospice chaplain (6 yrs) for Dixie Medical Center, St. George. Developed and implemented the program. Trained local LDS bishops for asst. chaplaincy
Concordia Seminary, guest instructor of Greek with Dr. Jeff Gibbs.
St. Luke Lutheran Church, Clinton Twp. MI - Sr. Pastor with two associates and full grade school.
Concordia Publishing House Board of Directors
Concordia Ann Arbor, guest instructor - beginning and advanced Greek
LCMS 1998 convention delegate, education floor committee
Concordia Publishing House - Senior Editor of Academic, consumer, and professional books.
contributing editor with Concordia Commentary Series - including staff oversight
contributed to many articles, books, etc. during my tenure
The Friends of Mercy (LCMS World Relief RSO) - Founder and Executive Director
- Traveled the U.S. to speak on HIV/AIDS widows and orphans in Kenya
- Organized and lead annual groups to Kenya to work with local pastors on various projects, including building, education, and medical clinics
- Began to develop and publish for Lutheran Cancer & Hospice SocietyFunded an annual Deaconess Training Seminars for the deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (Dr. Walter Obare, Bishop) in conjunction with Dr. A. A. Just of Concordia Theological Seminary.
- In 2009, funding for The Friends of Mercy ceased and we thank God for the work we could do while it was yet day.
Secular Employment
- Operated Seminary Painters 12 years to pay for college and seminary
- Chrysler Corporation - assembly line
- Honey Baked - manager of retail stores, Detroit and Chicago
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