West Pastors Conference 2025 –On the Mountain with Elija and in the Valley of Life– Playlist
**To view all videos from this conference, click on the upper right corner of the image above and choose from the playlist**
Sometimes it is about Elijah’s mountain (1 Kings 19:11–12). Sometimes it is about a valley. But always it is about a “low whisper” that overcomes the pandemonium and noise of the world. Throughout humanity’s broken history, there have been those called to live in a relationship with their Creator. Patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and pastors give voice to the eternal promise first made in Genesis 3. The Lord is not in the thunderous storm or in the violence of an earthquake or the destructive heat of a fire. Rather, He speaks through His servants in the “low whisper” of the Gospel. You are not alone! Join us as we encourage one another.
- Opening Worship Service Message – Rev. David A. Davis
- Session 1: Where is that “still small voice” … – Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard
- Session 2: Listening for that “still small voice” … – Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard
- Session 3: One Lord, one faith, one Baptism … – Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard
- President’s Report – Rev. David A. Davis
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard
Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard holds a B.A. in History (Carthage College), a M.Div. (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne), a M.A. in Hebrew Bible (University of Notre Dame), and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible/Judaica, with minors in New Testament and Liturgics (University of Notre Dame). He was ordained in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1984.
Gard served as a parish pastor from 1984 to 1988, when he was commissioned as a Lieutenant-Junior Grade in the Navy Reserve. During his years of military service, Gard also served from 1989-2014 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) as a professor of Exegetical Theology, Dean of the Graduate School, and Dean of Military Chaplaincy Programs. From 2014-2019, he served as President of Concordia University Chicago (CUC). Following his retirement from CUC, he has returned to CTSFW a guest professor.
The Lord has permitted him to serve the Gospel by ministering to civilian and military personnel, leading a growing University with international outreach, teaching Hebrew to future LCMS pastors, serving as an author and speaker across the country, comforting grieving families on 9/11, providing spiritual guidance to countless parishioners, military personnel and families, and students.
He and his wife Annette have three children and one grandchild.