Rev. Dr. Richard Marrs has accepted the call extended him by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to serve as associate professor of practical theology. Previously, Marrs served as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Junction City, Kan., from 2001 to 2006. He also served a vicarage there from 2000 to 2001.

Marrs received the A.A. degree from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kan. (1978); the B.A. degree from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. (1980); the M.S. degree from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. (1985); the Ph.D. degree from Loyola University, Chicago, Ill. (1994); and alternate route certification from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. (2001). He served as a psychology professor and counselor at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. (1986-1998), and at St. John’s College, Winfield, Kan. (1982-1986). He and his wife Laura have two daughters.

Marrs commented, “It is a wonderful honor to be called to teach and help form the future pastors and deaconesses of the LCMS. I pray that the Holy Spirit will use the gifts He has granted me to fulfill this call to teach pastoral care and counseling.”

The addition of Marrs brings the number of full-time faculty members at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to 46. The Seminary has experienced an enrollment increase of 52 percent over the past five years, surpassing 800 students during each of the past two academic years. While some of this increase is due to the addition of new distance education programs, the residential population of students has also increased 32 percent over the past five years. This enrollment surge has necessitated the calling of additional faculty.

For more information, contact the Communications Department, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7374; communications@csl.edu.