Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, announces the appointment of Rev. Michael J. Redeker as its new director of ministerial recruitment, and Dr. Wallace Becker as associate director of ministerial recruitment. Both will assist the Seminary's Office of Admission in the work of identifying, informing and encouraging appropriate candidates for the pastoral ministry in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Redeker and Becker had been serving in the Seminary's admissions office as admission counselors.

"Concordia Seminary is truly blessed to have experienced pastors with exceptional gifts in these vital positions," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "Revs. Redeker and Becker have been extremely effective in the process of identifying, informing and encouraging future pastors. Now they will exercise even greater influence in this important endeavor."

Rev. Redeker received the bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1985, and the master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1995. He served parishes in St. Paul, Bowler, Wisc., and Zion, Eland, Wisc., until 1998. Rev. Redeker became admissions counselor at Concordia Seminary in 1998. Prior to enrollment at Concordia Seminary, he served as an agent for Lutheran Brotherhood and in other sales positions. Rev. Redeker and his wife, Mary have six children.

Rev. Becker is a 1973 graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Neb. He served as a director of Christian education at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, Mich., (1973-80) and First Lutheran Church in Placerville, Calif. (1980-85). In 1988, Rev. Becker received the master of divinity degree at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He served as assistant pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Ill. (1988-89), and later as its senior pastor (1989-96). He then served as associate pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Springfield, Mo., until 2001, when he joined the Seminary community as admission counselor. Rev. Becker and his wife, Alvina, have two children.

Revs. Redeker and Becker began their new responsibilities on Jan. 10.

For more information, contact Rev. Glen D. Thomas, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.505.7370; semrelations@csl.edu.