2026 Presidential Nominees

With gratitude to the Lord of the Church for His provision and trusting His leading for the future of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, it is my privilege to inform you that we have two nominees to be presented to the 2026 Biennial Convention for the office of CLB President. Rev Michael Edwards (Good News LBC, McAlisterville, PA) and Rev Mark Nienow (True Life Church, Rochester, MN) have been put forward by the Council of Directors and have graciously agreed to be open for nomination.

Join us as we pray for the Lord's leading and will for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren in this process. Please also be in prayer for the nominees, their families, and their churches as they wait on the Lord's direction through the call of His Church.

May all we do be for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in service to His kingdom.

On behalf of the CLB Council of Directors,

Jeff Kleveland, Chair

Introducing the Nominees

Rev. Michael Edwards

Good News Lutheran Brethren Church

McAlisterville, PA

Born and baptized as an infant in Kansas, I was raised by Christian parents in rural McAlisterville, Pennsylvania, where my father served as a Lutheran pastor. My introduction to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren was by way of annual summer camps at Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center. While pursuing a Biblical Studies degree at Messiah University (Pennsylvania), I married my high-school sweetheart Christy in 1991. Shortly thereafter, I took employment with Waldenbooks/Borders Books and Music which resulted in a 20-year career, the first 13 years in store and multi-store management, at one point overseeing 30+ retail locations in New England and metro New York City, followed by 7 years in corporate human resources, supporting and counseling operational vice-presidents and 300+ retail locations nationwide. In 2004, my wife, children, and I moved back to McAlisterville where we found Good News Lutheran Brethren Church and I was called to be an elder. In 2011, I was called to pastor Good News LBC and was ordained in 2022, following further studies at Moody Bible Institute and Lutheran Brethren Seminary. I have served on various sub-committees of the CLB Eastern Region, and as Vice-chair of the Region’s Executive Board since 2021.

Our son Gabriel, his wife Leilynn, and their daughter Anastasia reside in Lititz, PA, and are members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (LCMS). Our daughter Margaret resides in Mifflintown, PA, is a member of Good News LBC, and is engaged to be married.

It is an honor to be considered for this office. The Lord has been very kind to me. May God’s will be done!

Rev. Mark Nienow

True Life Church

Rochester, MN

My name is Mark Nienow and I am currently serving as a pastor of True Life Church in Rochester, Minnesota. My wife Andreia and I have been married for 28 years and we have two sons, Luke and Caleb. Luke recently graduated from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN, and will be married in December. Caleb is a student at the Free Lutheran Bible College in Plymouth, MN. 

I began reading the Bible during my freshman year of college, and it has had a profound impact on my life and faith. Following graduation, I received intensive training in youth ministry from Tentmakers and served a church in the Chicago, Illinois, area in two roles. The first was as a youth director and later as the Director of Discipleship Training. It was through this position that I recognized my need for further training and began my journey to the CLB. I graduated from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in 2007 and have served at True Life since, first as an associate pastor with Pastor David Rinden, and then as the Lead Pastor since 2012.

I have served as secretary for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren Council of Directors since 2016. I have enjoyed being part of the Council of Directors for our family of churches and have sought to bring the voice of our congregations and pastors to the Council as we continue to pursue being a disciple-making Church. I enjoy spending time with family as well as being a “car guy” and long-suffering Vikings fan.

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