Regional Conventions
Canada / March 28-30, 2025
Peace Lutheran Church, Calgary, AB
Pastors and spouses met together the evening before the convention in the Rockies at Canmore, Alberta, where they enjoyed good fellowship and heard encouraging words from Pastor Roger Olson, the CLB Associate for Ministry Support. The convention began with Dr. Joel Christenson teaching on leadership. The Annual Meeting was held on Saturday afternoon with 24 delegates and pastors in attendance. Updates were heard from our church plants: Pastor Bob Schultz reporting on steady growth at Isaiah Fellowship in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Pastor Harold Rust reporting on cross-cultural ministry at The River in Red Deer, Alberta. Dr. Troy Tysdal also shared about the ministry of Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
Next, the thorough work of the Financial Advisory Committee of the CLB Canada Board of Directors was received. It was reported that King of Glory Lutheran in northeast Calgary had sold their building and, in following their constitution, the net proceeds of the sale were given for the ongoing work of the CLBC. A task force was established to assist in determining the future use of those funds. Finally, elections were held with the following results: Harold Rust―President; Anthony Heiraas―Vice President; Greg Rokos―Secretary; Ron Berg―Interim Treasurer; Bob Schultz, Doug Njaa, and Lorraine MacArthur―Board members. Rock of Ages Church in Saskatoon, SK, gave an invitation for next year’s convention, and with gratitude to God, the meeting was adjourned.
Pacific North / May 31, 2025
Rock of Ages Church, Seattle, WA
The regional convention was well-attended, with representatives from most of the churches. During our morning business meeting, we received ministry updates from: Youth, Young Adults, Women’s Ministry, Bible Camp, and Men’s Retreat. We passed a 2025-2026 budget, elected officers to our regional executive committees, and nominated representatives to serve on our Council of Directors–to be elected at our CLB Biennial Convention in June 2026. We approved constitutional edits that bring our regional constitution up to date.
In the afternoon, the convention was joined by the Pacific Region South delegates via Zoom, and we heard presentations from our four synodical representatives, followed by a round table discussion with those representatives. CLB’s Associate for Advancement, Steve Tonneson, concluded the afternoon with an Advancement Ministry update via Zoom from our Pacific Region South convention in California. The convention concluded with an evening worship service, where Luke Fiskness, the new Hillcrest Lutheran Academy President, brought us God’s Word.
Pacific South / May 31, 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Brethren Church, Pasadena, CA
Representatives from Calvary Community Church in Fullerton and Immanuel LBC in Pasadena met at Immanuel for the Pacific-South Regional Convention. Our meeting in the morning included a discussion of the amendment to the CLB Constitution that will be brought forward at the Biennial Convention in 2026. Everyone who was there left with a better understanding of the reason for the change.
We also had Steve Tonneson, Associate for Advancement Ministry, as our morning speaker. He shared what we’re doing synodically and the plans for the future. In the afternoon, we joined together on Zoom with the Pacific-North Regional Convention to hear presentations from our synodical leaders who shared in the Pacific-North. Each leader was able to share what was happening in their particular ministry and then participated in a round-table discussion.
Western / June 20-22, 2025
Grace Lutheran Brethren Church, Bismarck, ND
The delegates joined together in worship, food, and times of fellowship in the Lord. Perhaps the greatest highlight of this year’s convention was worshiping in the newly purchased and renovated space for Lincoln Church & Community Center (Lincoln, ND) on Saturday evening. The Convention recommended that the congregation in Lincoln be received as a member congregation by the CLB earlier that morning.
Elections were also held for the region: Mike Hussey―Vice Chairman; Roger Solberg―Treasurer; Council of Directors: Doug Bounds―Lay Member; and Mike Hussey―Theological Council.
Central / June 6-8, 2025
Inspiration Point Christian Camp & Retreat Center, Vining, MN
The convention delegates enjoyed the beautiful facilities at Inspiration Point and were filled with gratitude and amazement at how the Lord uses this place and its staff to impact our world for the gospel. We love our partnership with Inspiration Point! The convention was encouraged by the many updates that we received from our synodical and regional ministry leaders and partners, proving how God is working in and through us as a Disciple-Making Church. One particular highlight was hearing from the new Hillcrest Lutheran Academy President, Luke Fiskness, as he shared a compelling and exciting vision about the future of Hillcrest, desiring to see Hillcrest prepare, shape, and transform hearts for the gospel and for future ministry.
The Business Meeting included a ministry update from Greg Anderson (President of Inspiration Point), the affirmation of two Inspiration Point Board Members (Mike Swenson and Ryan Hanson), the approval of the 2025-2027 Central Region budget (highlighted by a reminder of the importance of our Central Region Pastoral Benevolence Fund which is funded through the Pastors Masters Golf Event), and the allocation of funds to support students from the Central Region who attend Rooted over the next two years.
The final portion of the Business Meeting centered around the election of various Regional Officers and Synodical Representatives: Mark Johannesen―Chairman, Darren Shaw―Secretary, Beka Nadgwick―Youth Coordinator, and Carissa Stauss―Representative to the CLB Council of Directors.
Eastern / April 26, 2025
Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center, Mount Bethel, PA
Our theme for 2025 was “Friends” from John 15:15-16a. We had a full schedule with two plenary sessions in the morning. The first was focused on synodical updates and information, with CLB President Paul Larson and LBS President Troy Tysdal interviewed by chairman Aage Larsen, with questions being posed by our delegates. Topics ranged from updates to our joint ministries to upcoming constitutional changes. Our second plenary session focused on local updates from Tuscarora, Women’s Ministry, Chaplaincy Ministry (presented by Chaplain (Col) Michael Heuer, USAF [Retired]), the inaugural class of Rooted Gap-Year, and our church plant (Grace Hill Community Church, in Boston, MA).
An extended lunch period and breaks allowed delegates to engage with one another and discuss and share not only what was presented that morning, but what was happening in their local churches. Delegates enjoyed the time spent together, being reminded of the friendship we foster together as congregations of the CLB Eastern Region.
In the afternoon, along with the usual business, delegates discussed and voted on goals for our churches to share and changes to our regional constitution, which reflected the overall theme of joint ownership of our shared missions and ministries. Specifics included updating language left from the time of regional pastors, which placed those responsibilities back on our congregations with the Eastern Region executive board encouraging and reminding congregations of opportunities for them to be in ministry together… because that’s what friends are for.
