Congregational Ministry Summit – Live to Tell About It! – Playlist
**To view all videos from this conference, click on the upper right corner of the image above and choose from the playlist**
Do we live in such a way that people are curious about what motivates us to live distinctively different lives? And if they did ask us, would we be prepared to give an account of the hope that is within us?
Don’t miss our Congregational Ministry Summit that will help you both be better enabled to live a life that evokes questions and be better prepared to give an account of that inner hope in Christ.
Our theme verse is 1 Peter 3:15 “… but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
- Keynote Session 1 | Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler
- Breakout 1: Building Discipleship Muscle Memory | Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann
- Breakout 1: Pray What You See | Rev. Chris Paavola
- Breakout 1: Could This Have Been an Email? | Rev. David Davis
- Breakout 1: Stronger Together: Working with Your Community | Rev. Jim Richter & Rev. Dr. Randy Duncan
- Breakout 2: Flexing Your Discipleship Muscles | Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann
- Breakout 2: Stop Scrolling, Look to Jesus: | Autumn Casiglia, MA LLP
- Breakout 2: Understanding Your Neighbor | Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow
- Breakout 2: Game On! Ministering To & Through Athletics | Eric Smith
- Keynote Session 2: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler
Speakers
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler began serving with Lutheran Hour Ministries as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour in October 2018. Prior to that, he served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church (2014-2018) and assistant pastor at Timothy Lutheran Church (2012-2014), both in St. Louis. Before becoming a pastor, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the Air Force.
Rev. Dr. Todd A. Biermann
Rev. Dr. Todd A. Biermann serves as Executive Director of Concordia Center for the Family (CCF). He had previously served as a parish pastor for 33 years, and also led an international ministry, Life in God’s Way, along with his wife Heather. Rev. Dr. Biermann has a B.A. from Concordia University Nebraska, an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and a D.Min. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Autumn Casiglia, MA
Autumn Casiglia is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, Bible teacher, and speaker. She has a private practice specializing in mental health, marriage, and family counseling. Autumn is also the Adult Ministry Director at Faith, Troy. She received her B.A. in biblical studies and psychology from William Tyndale College, and her M.A in psychology from Wayne State University.
Rev. David A. Davis
Rev. David A. Davis attended Concordia University Ann Arbor and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. After his ordination on January 8, 1984, he served as pastor of four different congregations, all in Michigan: St. Matthew, Spring Lake; St. Paul, Trenton; Immanuel, Grand Rapids; and St. Luke, Haslett/Lansing. Rev. Davis is the 13th president since the founding of the Michigan District, LCMS in 1881. He is currently serving his second term in office.
Rev. Dr. Randy Duncan
Rev. Dr. Randy Duncan is the Pastor of Campus Mission at University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor and the point person for the Campus Ministry Network of the Michigan District. Prior to this, Randy was the Campus Pastor and adjunct professor at Concordia University Ann Arbor. He has planted nine churches and is the co-author of Lutheranism 101 (CPH). Randy is a graduate of Concordia University Ann Arbor. He received his M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. and his D.Ed. degree from Concordia University Wisconsin.
Rev. Randy Johnson
Rev. Randy Johnson, ordained in 2002, served Mt. Hope, Allen Park; was a missionary at large for the New Buffalo Mission; and pastor at St. John, Cheboygan. He currently serves as the Director of District Facilitators and is responsible for working closely with congregations in the West Region while also overseeing the two other District Facilitators.
Rev. Daniel Meckes
Rev. Daniel Meckes began his ministry in 1983 as a DCE in Carmel, Ind. He was ordained in 1989 and has served Trinity, Reese; St. Matthew, Walled Lake; Faith, Bay City; Living Word, Rochester; and Journey, Oxford. In 2021, he was called part-time as a Michigan District Facilitator and later began serving full-time covering the Metro East and Metro West regions.
Rev. Chris Paavola
Since 2022, Chris Paavola has served as the Senior Pastor at St. Mark, Battle Creek (Cereal City USA!). Before that, he had stints as a church planter, worship director, and youth director. Chris and his wife Ashley have been married 20 years and have five kids through adoption and foster care.
Rev. Jim Richter
Rev. Jim Richter is the pastor of The Vine Church. He received his M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. and has served five churches, four of which are church plants. Jim also spearheads the Harvest Partnership movement in the Michigan District.
Eric Smith
Eric Smith has served at Valley Lutheran High School in Saginaw, Mich. for over 20 years. He is currently the full-time Fitness and Strength Coach and Assistant Football Coach. Eric is a member of the Michigan District State Track Committee and Advisor for the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. He brings strong leadership and a faith-driven approach to mentoring students and athletes.
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow is the Director of Mission Development for the Michigan District. He is a former missionary to Africa (Kenya and Morocco). He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and served as a professor of theology at Concordia University Portland and Concordia University Ann Arbor. He joined the district staff in June 2025.