Convention Workbook

partnership with Concordia Seminary St. Louis,
continues to form pastors who are prepared to
launch ministries in ethnic, urban, and multicultural
contexts. This seminary-level track
combines the best real-time distance education
technologies with traditional face-to-face methods
to simultaneously reach students in various cities
and states in the Western region of the United
States. We are grateful for the students and
graduates of this program who currently serve as
vicars and pastors in California, Arizona, Nevada,
Colorado, Texas, Washington, and Oregon. We
are grateful for our partnership with our
congregations, ministers, and laity who help
identify and support future church workers and
continue to pray that our Lord raise up workers
for his harvest.
Each year Concordia University’s partnership
with the district is exemplified in a number of
exciting ways. Concordia’s student music and
drama ensembles visit congregations and schools
to perform in worship services and school chapel
services. These groups include The Concordia
Choir, Concordia Wind Orchestra, Concordia
Sinfonietta, Women’s Ensemble, Men’s Chorus,
Exalt, Witness and Acclaim a cappella quartets,
Concordia Brass, String Quartet, Clarinet Quartet,
Jazz Combo, Concert Handbells, Spirit Bells, and
the ACTS drama team. These performance
engagements always form an integral part of
Concordia’s outreach to congregations and
schools and provide students an opportunity for
service.
In addition, Rev. Dr. Loren Kramer and Rev. Dr.
Wally Turner visit congregations to preach and
share Concordia’s mission message by speaking at
the Christian Education hour and distributing
Concordia literature. Dennis Cox, Director of
Estate Gifts for Concordia, has presented the
“Lifetime Plan for Giving” seminar at about ten
congregations and will continue to do so as long
as there is interest. Dennis also offers his
expertise as a Certified Specialist in Planned
Giving to congregation members who have
questions about setting up estate gifts and other
types of planned giving for their congregations or
Concordia University Irvine
for other ministries they love. Emily Beckman,
Director of Lutheran Outreach, works to recruit
more Lutheran students, regardless of their major,
to come to Concordia University Irvine for their
education.
We have several events during the year to which
congregations and the community are invited
which are designed to strengthen faith and
encourage Christians. These include the Faith &
Business Forum and Senior Fest (for adults in the
second half of life).
Together, the university faculty, staff, Board of
Regents, Trustees, church partners, alumni and
donors praise God for blessing Concordia’s
efforts to provide a Christ-centered education that
prepares students to live out the Great
Commission as lay leaders or as professional
workers in the church.
Report from Dr. Kurt Krueger, President
Concordia University, Irivne
124