Lutheran Adult Gathering

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. Victor Belton

Pastor Belton attended Concordia College—New York, Bronxville and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He holds a doctorate ‘Honoris Causa’ from Concordia, Bronxville and currently serves his alma mater as Regional Representative for Advancement. He formerly served there as Vice President for Spiritual Life, Director of the Center for Contextual Leadership, and Campus Pastor. Prior to that, Belton served as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church for over 25 years. He is a certified coach through the Center for United States Missions and works with other pastors and leaders to plan and implement prayer initiatives that impact the advance of the Kingdom of God, as well as the Lord’s Church and his people on earth. Belton is married to Wenona and they have an adult son.

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Christopher Paavola

Chris Paavola is a church-planting pastor in University City, Mo., an inner-belt city of metro St. Louis. After prayer walking more than 100 miles through his community, Chris began efforts to plant “a church as diverse as the city it serves” called All Nations Church, with a mission of doing “whatever it takes so as many as possible can see Jesus.”

Chris met his wife, Ashley, at St. John Church in Ellisville, Mo., where he served as the Worship Production Director until 2013. They have been married for 13 years and have three children.

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier

President Maier attended Concordia University Ann Arbor and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. After his Ordination on August 15, 1982, he served as Mission Pastor of Our Savior in Marlette, Mich. as well as Youth Pastor and interim Head Pastor at St. Peter in Arlington Heights, Ill. In 1989, he was called to Our Savior, Lansing as Administrative/Senior Pastor where he served until he was elected President of the Michigan District, LCMS in June of 2009. In addition to serving as Michigan District President, he also serves as Chairman of the LCMS Council of Presidents.

Entertainment

321 Improv

An evening with 321 Improv is unlike any you’ve been a part of before. It is a unique interactive comedy experience. In each show, the three guys in 321 Improv instantly turn audience suggestions into hilarious scenes. 321 Improv’s aim is “to use comedy to spread a message of true joy that can only have come from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Chaplain

Rev. William Wangelin

Rev. Bill Wangelin serves as the senior pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Lansing, Mich. He enjoys teaching and preaching on Missional Living, Discipleship, Church History, and the Epistles of St. Paul. He and his wife Kristin have four children. Their family mission is to share with others the joy of living with Jesus.

Music

Mr. John Horak

John Horak is the Minister of Music at Our Savior, Lansing. He graduated in 1983 from Concordia College in Seward, Neb. with a BS in Elementary Education and a BA in Sacred Music. In 1985, he received a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. John is the lead worship planner for Our Savior’s traditional and contemporary worship services. He directs the Adult Choir, Adult Handbell Choir, and Brass Ensemble. He also serves as the head organist and pianist, and directs several choirs at the school.