Front row, from left: Dr. Richard Marrs, director of the Master of Divinity and Residential Alternate Route Programs; Mark Renner and Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Douglas Rutt. Back row, from left: Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of Exegetical Theology and dean of Ministerial Formation; Dr. Glenn Nielsen, professor of Practical theology and director of Placement and LCMS Ohio District President Dr. Kevin Wilson. Not pictured: Rako Zech, Berhanu Kumalo Didanu and Albino Kong.

Students representing two distinct programs at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis were recognized Friday in the Chapel of St. Timothy and Titus for receiving calls.

Two Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students received calls: Mark Renner, Hosanna Lutheran Church, Columbia Station, Ohio, LCMS Ohio District; and Rako Zech, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clarence Center, N.Y., LCMS Eastern District.

In addition, two Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) students received calls: Berhanu Kumalo Didanu, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Woodland, Calif., LCMS California-Nevada-Hawaii District; and Albino Kong, Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage, Alaska, LCMS Northwest District.

“We always thank our gracious Lord for the calls provided by congregations for our candidates,” said Dr. Glenn Nielsen, director of Placement and professor of Practical Theology. “Today we give extra thanksgiving as the last student from our spring placement service has now received a call. Last April, five candidates were announced as waiting for a call. All now have been placed in the pastoral office of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).  Praise and thanks to Him that these congregations will have a pastor serving them.”

The Seminary recognizes and celebrates calls throughout the year for students enrolled in programs such as EIIT, M.Div. and others. The Seminary’s primary Call Day is held in the spring when students receive their first calls to ministry as well as assignments for vicarages and deaconess internships. Call Day is set for April 28, 2021.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.