Contributors

Travis Scholl (MDiv, Yale Divinity School; PhD, University of Missouri) leads mission integration at Lutheran Senior Services. Previously, he served as managing editor of theological publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he continues as a guest instructor. He is the author of Walking the Labyrinth.

Dan Weber is a graduate of Concordia University, Irvine and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and serves as Lead Pastor at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Federal Way, Washington. Since 2008, Dan has worked with the LCMS Youth Gathering as both a speaker and planner. He's spoken at Maata Näkyvissä Festival in Turku, Finland and Konnekt in Aarhus, Denmark. He's been an adjunct professor of theology for Concordia University in Irvine, California since 2012.

Scott Landrum is pastor of Nativity Lutheran Church in Brandon, Mississippi. He is husband to Susan, dad to their five kids, and Poppy to their four grandchildren.

Nicholas Kallis recently graduated from Cedarville University with an M.Div. He is married to Mary and together they have a daughter, Miriam Mae. Nicholas is currently serving as the pastor at Donnels Creek Church of the Brethren in Springfield, OH.

Steve Kruschel served as a vicar in Lapeer, Michigan. After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2009, Steve was assigned to serve Grace Lutheran Church in Geneva, NE, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Grafton, NE. He served those congregations for 9 years He currently serves as a pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Two Rivers Wisconsin.

Dr. Roland Cap Ehlke is a professor in the Philosophy Department at Concordia University Wisconsin. His book, "Like a Pelting Rain: The Making of the Modern Mind" (1517, 2018), looks at the spiritual condition of Western civilization.

John Bortulin is a Lutheran pastor, a husband to Sarah, and a dad to five fantastic daughters. Together they enjoy time in gyms and on ballfields, traveling, laughs, and an occasional week at the family cottage. In addition to serving a loving and patient parish, John serves the broader church in the areas of worship, missions, and ministerial education.

Kevin Hale is a husband, father, pastor, and perpetual student. He and his wife, Annie, have six kids and live in Conway, Arkansas where he pastors Christ Church Conway and oversees a Lamp Seminary learning site that helps train men for ministry in the PCA. Kevin’s love for studying has him pursuing a PhD in Old Testament through Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in partnership with Union School of Theology. He hosts the podcast The Daily Devotion and blogs occasionally at ozarkdogmatics.com.

Tyler Cronkright is the Associate Pastor at Family of God Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. He gets to walk with recovering and active addicts, sharing the good news of Jesus in a very dark neighborhood, alongside the many congregations that support Family of God. He and his wife, Brandi, live just north of Detroit in Clinton Township.

Andrew Foss is a northern New Jersey native who enjoys cheering on his beloved New York Yankees, chances to chill at the shore, and eating NYC pizza. In his downtime, he loves fishing, playing golf, and reading books authored by his intellectual mentors and theological soulmates. He is a Lutheran Brethren pastor in DeWitt, Iowa, where he met his wife, Jenna. They have two children – Talan & Keatyn.

Jason Lang says, "I get to be married to Heidi," they have been married for over 20yrs. and still go on date night every Monday. He is currently serving as Lead Pastor with Word of Life Church in Le Sueur, MN. He has degrees from Philadelphia Biblical University and Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He speaks at youth camps and conferences because he loves sharing God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ and reminding people they are loved.

Brad Soenksen was the Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies at Lutheran Brethren Seminary for twenty-two years. He has been the Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard, MN since 2010. He holds a BA in History and Biblical Studies from Crown College, an MDiv. from Lutheran Brethren Seminary, and a THM in Old Testament Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Jenifer Mohan lives in California. She loves theology and is the mother of 3 children.

Ryan Stevenson-Cosgrove is a pastor in southeast Iowa, along the mighty Mississippi River. Serving in this little corner of the world has shown him how God loves to show up in the unlikeliest of places. The call to serve God's Word on the edge of this fly-over state has made a better theologian out of him than he could have managed on his own. It also landed him in the company of his now wife, Amanda, who manages to extend grace as well as Ryan could ever hope to preach it.

Daniel Stenberg is married to Karen, and they have 5 boys. He is a graduate of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN. Daniel is passionate about proclaiming Christ crucified, music that is harder than the stuff you listen to, video games, and the Seattle Seahawks. Daniel is currently serving as the pastor at Calvary Church in Bergenfield, NJ.

Brandon Pangman is married to Jenny and they have 3 children. He has a BA in Business from the University of Northwestern and an MDIV from Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He is the Lead Pastor at Emmaus Road Church, Director of Elevate Youth Convention and Chaplain of Dewitt Police Department.

Dr. Jady Koch, Associate Minister at Christ Church, Mount Pleasant SC. A graduate of Washington & Lee University (2000) and Trinity School for Ministry (2007), The Rev. Dr. John D. “Jady” Koch earned his Doctorate in Systematic Theology at the University of Humboldt in Berlin, Germany in 2014. In addition to various articles and lectures, he is the author of The Distinction Between Law and Gospel as the Basis and Boundary of Theological Reflection, which was published in 2016.

Liturgical Folk, a music project that centers around Nelson Koscheski's religious poems set to Ryan Flanigan's folk tunes. Since writing that first hymn in early 2015, Liturgical Folk has gained the support of producer Isaac Wardell, who has worked with many spiritually-minded songwriters, including Sufjan Stevens, Sandra McCracken, and Josh Garrels. Wardell produced Liturgical Folk's first two albums, which debut[ed] Feb. 1 [2017].

Magnus is a husband, father and grandfather. He is an ordained Verbi Divini Minister and works as a pastor for EFS - a missional renewal movement in the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is also the network co-ordinator of Re:formera and the host for its weekly podcast.

Ryan Tinetti (D.Min., Duke University) is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Michigan, and author of the forthcoming book Preaching by Heart (Cascade Press). His website is www.preachingbyheart.com.

Pete Lange serves as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Eldon, MO. He graduated from Christ College Irvine in 1991, was a DCE in Kansas for 10 years, and then attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis where he graduated in 2006. He loves Jesus and his family and likes reading, hiking, and golf.

Ed Nugent is a 1991 graduate of Messiah College, and a 2008 graduate of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary. Because he sees the worst sinner he knows in the mirror each morning, he is personally desperate for God’s grace and passionate about proclaiming it to Fellow sinners both inside and outside of the church. His singular desire is to preach Christ and Him crucified. Ed has served Lutheran Brethren churches in Fergus Falls, MN and Le Sueur, MN prior to joining the staff at Our Redeemer’s.

Noel Jesse Heikkinen is a pastor at Riverview Church, a multi-site church of over 3,000 near Lansing, Michigan. Heikkinen also helps lead the church planting ministry Acts 29 and is the chairman of the board for the mission agency Reliant. He and his wife, Grace, have four children.

Juan Carlos Bedoya a.k.a. Loso, was born in Queens New York. Years later he was introduced to a group of friends who were involved in a Christian rap ministry called H.G.A. (His Glory Alone). Bible studies, evangelizing and Fellowship made up the majority of the ministry’s goals, and it is also in this ministry that his passion for preaching developed. In 2009 he began attending Trinity College of Florida where he is currently pursuing a pastoral degree.

Pastor Troy Neujahr is a second-career pastor, having worked in the secular workforce for a number of years before entering the ministry. He graduated with honors from Grace University in Omaha, NE, with a dual major in Management/Organizational Leadership and Biblical Studies, and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where his focus was Missiology.

Joshua Miller is the pastor of Jehovah Lutheran Church (LCMS) in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of "Hanging by a Promise" and the co-author of "Promising Faith for a Ruptured Age."

Nick Lannon is a 2000 graduate of the University of Arizona and a 2007 graduate of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, having studied Communications and Religious Studies while at Arizona and Systematic Theology and Ethics at Trinity. An avid movie-watcher, NBA fan and all-around couch potato (when he's not playing sports himself), Nick is fascinated by the intersection of the Gospel and everyday life.

Aaron Zimmerman is graduated from Harvard in 1999 with a degree in History and Science. Before entering parish ministry, he taught English in Kazakhstan, wrote case studies at Harvard Business School, and worked as an analyst at H.J. Heinz Co. After receiving his M.Div. from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in 2008, he served at St. Stephen's Church in Sewickley, PA. He is currently Rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Waco, Texas.

Delwyn Campbell lives and works in his hometown, Gary, Indiana. He received a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in theology from Christ College at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif. He serves as an LCMS Missionary in Gary.

David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the popular Mockingbird website, and cohost of The Mockingcast. He and his family live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Zahl is the author of A Mess of Help: From the Crucified Soul of Rock N' Roll and coauthor of Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints).

Tate Barber is a husband, father, code writer, and Lutheran.

Raleigh Sadler has served in Christian ministry since 2001. Currently, he is the founder and executive director of Let My People Go, headquartered in New York City. He is also the author of the 2019 book, "Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking."

Laura lives in Traverse City, Michigan.  She is mother to four energetic children, wife of an adventurous LCMS pastor for 20+ years, and a baptized child of God. Laura completed her undergraduate work with a Director of Christian Education certification as well as a degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University in Chicago, Il. Currently, Laura is pursuing continuing education in Deaconess studies at the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis with the hopes of finishing with a master's in Spiritual Care. She is also working towards her master’s in Professional Clinical Counseling at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. She hopes to use this education to bring healing to a hurting world. 

Dan Chrismer is a Pastor/Mission Developer at Ascension Lutheran Church in Pratt, Kansas.

Walter Hwang is the pastor of Austin Korean Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.

Doug Klembara is the Creative Director for 1517. He is a Dallas based photographer that believes there is beauty in simplicity. His work with non profits and companies has given him a wide understanding of the creative world and its processes. Doug was a part of Apple's Inaugural World Gallery and his photography was on skyscrapers around the world. He now lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Kelsi and his two sons, Otto and Simeon.

Norman Nagel was a Lutheran Pastor, theologian, and Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology.

Jonathan Ruehs serves as an assistant professor of theology and the director of the Center for Church Leadership at Concordia University Irvine. He earned his BA in religious studies. He also has two earned MA degrees from Biola University and CUI. He is working on a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Columbia International University in South Carolina where he will be researching the topic of spiritual warfare. Jonathan is married to Brenda and they have three children together.

Jared C. Wilson is the director of content strategy at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, managing editor of For the Church, and director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He speaks at churches and conferences around the world. He is a prolific author whose books include Your Jesus Is Too Safe, Gospel Wakefulness and The Imperfect Disciple.

Dr. Jacob Corzine is assistant professor of theology at Concordia University Chicago and is co-editor of Feasting in a Famine of the Word: Lutheran Preaching in the Twenty-First Century (Wipf & Stock, Eugene, OR 2016)

Michael Berg is an assistant professor of theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI. He is married to Amanda and together they have three daughters: Abigail, Noelle, and Sophia. Michael is a graduate of Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, the International Academy of Apologetics, Human Rights, and Evangelism, and Biola University.

Luke Kjolhaug is the current pastor of Elim Lutheran Church in Osakis, MN. He is a husband, father, and mediocre basketball player. He also impersonates a theologian from time to time. Luke holds undergraduate degrees from Wheaton College and the University of Minnesota, and earned his MDiv. from Lutheran Brethren Seminary (Fergus Falls, MN). You can find him on YouTube at Foxhole Theology, where he is a founder and contributor.

Joel Fitzpatrick has served as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America with a focus on youth and family. He received his MDiv from Westminster Seminary California. Joel lives in Southern California with his wife of nineteen years and their two children. He is a sinner, a preacher the author of Between us Guys and the coauthor of Mom, Dad... What’s Sex? And contributed chapters to The Sinner and Saints Devotional: 60 Days in the Psalms.

Matt Popovits serves as Lead Pastor of St. Mark Houston, in Houston, Texas. Prior to serving in Houston, Matt was the planting and Lead Pastor of OSNY, a family of neighborhood parishes in New York City. Matt has also served as a staff writer for Homiletics and is a frequent speaker at churches and events around the country. Prior to entering ministry Matt studied acting at the University of Michigan department of Theatre and Dance; and later received his MDIV from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Elyse Fitzpatrick holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 21 books on daily living and the Christian life. A frequent speaker at women’s conferences, she has been married for nearly 40 years and has three adult children and six really adorable grandchildren.

Matt Johnson is a husband, father to two little girls, and is an armchair student of theology. He is a freelance writer and editor with a penchant for redemptive snark. Until recently, Matt spent 7 years as an associate volunteer pastor in counseling and recovery ministry. Many moons ago Matt forwent a proper education and traveled the country playing drums in bands you've never heard of. He likes long walks on the beach, puppies, and has questionable taste in music.

Zack James Cole grew up in the Bible Belt of the American South. He became a United States Marine in 2004 and served on Active Duty until 2009. He was deployed to Iraq twice during Operation: Iraqi Freedom. He earned his M.Div in Theological Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. He now serves as an Associate Pastor at Suwannee Station Family Life Church in Suwannee, Georgia.

Paul Dunk is a graduate of Knox Theological Seminary and the founding pastor of KW Redeemer in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. He is an MCO race school graduate, but presently his main hobby is drinking espresso because it's cheaper than fixing cars. Paul and Susan live in Waterloo with their three children.

Jay Sawrie is an intern of the Presbyterian Church in America. He is also a contributor for Late Night Theology, a reader of Flannery O’Connor, and is working toward pastoring Presbyterian churches in the South.

RJ Grunewald is a Pastor at Faith in Troy, Michigan. He is a theology nerd who believes that theology isn’t just meant for the academics and dead guys but it is for everyday life. He is the author of The Art of Law & Gospel and Reading Romans with Luther. He’s also got a digital copy of The Art of Law and Gospel that you can download for free by subscribing to his emails. RJ has been married to his wife Jessica since 2007, and they have 3 kids: Elijah, Emaline, and Alice.

Jessica Thompson is the author of several books and is a frequent conference speaker. Her heart is to see women, families, and children freed from the bondage of moralism. She is a contributor at Christ Hold Fast and a part of the podcast, Front Porch with the Fitzes. Jess has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology and with her mother, Elyse Fitzpatrick, she co-authored the books, "Give Them Grace," "Answering Your Kids' Toughest Questions," and "Mom, Dad… What’s Sex?"

Jake Allstaedt serves as the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Williston Park, NY. He received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2011. His passions include exploring the depths of God's grace, playing guitar, good coffee, White Castle burgers, and old school video games. Jake and his lovely wife, Christina, have one adorable little son named Roman.

Bradley Gray serves as the senior pastor of Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife Natalie and their three children, Lydia, Braxton, and Bailey. He blogs regularly at www.graceupongrace.net and hosts a semi-regular podcast, “Ministry Minded.”

Scott Davis is a husband, father, magician, and pastor. He and his wife Leigh Anne live in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas with their five children, one dog, and one cat. Scott is the pastor of Hope Church Hot Springs, a small church that is affiliated with The Presbyterian Church in America.

Dominick Santore is a theological misfit landing in the area of Lutheranism. He has come to deeply appreciate the truth of Scripture as defined by the distinction between Law and Gospel. He has found freedom in knowing that Christ is his substitute even on his worst days. He is blessed with a wonderful wife and two awesome young men, which he can say without a doubt, he doesn't deserve. He wears a variety of hats at Epiphany, a new church in the heart of NYC.

Jessica Delgado is a Social Media Strategist turned Content Marketing Manager and was just as surprised as you are to learn that those things are real things. She longs to see Christians set free from sin and living without shame in the truth of the gospel. She is passionate about pointing single women toward God's faithfulness and abundance in their own lives and awaits the day they have seen so much of Jesus that they'd be perfectly content if He was all they ever got.

Mariah Coward is a wife, mother, and musician. She loves music and theology and the intersection between the two. She is wife to Daniel and mother to Clara and Amelie. She lives in Rogers, Arkansas.

Brandon Hanson is husband to Becky, father to Hadassah, Delaney, and Athanasius. He served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman for seven years. He has served in children's and youth ministry, jail outreach, and as an officer on boards for evangelism and missions. Modern folk, Indian Pale Ales, Scotch, Cigars and good conversation are some of Brandon's favorite vices. For everything else, there's Jesus' substitutionary life, death, and resurrection for us.

Haroldo Camacho is retired and lives with his wife, Mercedes, and son, Orlando, in Davie, Florida. He obtained his doctorate from the School of Theology at Claremont in 1991 and served many years as a Certified Court Interpreter with the Judicial Council of California. He has translated Luther’s Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (1535) to both Spanish and English. The English commentary is available through 1517 Publishing.

Larry D. Hughes is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Danville, Kentucky where he serves as head elder. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University holding a degree in Geology and Chemistry. He is a contributor to the books "Wittenberg Confessions – Testimonies of Converts to Confessional Lutheranism" and "Theology of the Cross: Luther's Heidelberg Disputation & Reflections on Its 28 Theses."

Kyle is a husband and father. He serves as Director of Faith Formation at Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookfield, WI. He graduated from Concordia University Texas with a B.A. in Religious Education with an emphasis in Worship and the Arts through the Director of Christian Education program. He is the co-author of The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional and is a regular contributor for 1517.

Joel Hess is the senior pastor of St. James Church & School Chicago, host of the down-to-earth podcast, Ringside with the Preachermen, and a regular contributor to 1517. Along with performing in his band, Sunday Morning Moonshine, he enjoys fighting the system with painting, poetry and cocktail parties.

Bonnie Petroschuk is a wife, mother of three grown children and Grammie to five amazing boys. She has dubbed herself a Grace Herald who will always be a teenager at heart after working with the teen and college-age groups in her church for more years than she wants to admit. She says that teaching those students gave her the incredible opportunity to both grow in her understanding of scripture and to share what she learned.

Kathy Morales graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a B.A. in Media Design. She is currently a writing contributor with Christ Hold Fast, Higher Things, and Coffee by Gillespie, as well as a freelance graphic designer. She is the co-author of "The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional" from 1517 Publishing.

Peter Nafzger (Ph.D. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO) is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He is the author of "These Are Written: Toward a Cruciform Theology of Scripture."

Jason Lane (Th.D., University of Hamburg, Germany) is Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University, Wisconsin.

Jeffrey Pulse (STM, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN; PhD, University of Durham, England) is Professor of Exegetical Theology, director of Certification and Placement, and Director of Continuing Education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. He is also the author of "Figuring Resurrection: Joseph as a Death and Resurrection Figure in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism" from Lexham Press.

As a musician, composer, arranger, and producer; John Andrew Schreiner epitomizes what it is to be a musician’s musician. His wealth and depth of experience in all aspects of music creation and production is unrivaled. 

John began his musical journey at the age of 3 when he would regularly pick out tunes at the church where his father ministered, this musical fascination in his early life compounded throughout his teens and towards adulthood, resulting in the only true course and outlet for his pitch perfect creativity.

In a professional music career that has spanned over three decades John has influenced almost every genre of music, musical production, and composition, and this influence and creativity has been recognized by his peers in his 2010 Emmy award, an ASCAP award, and seven dove awards.  

After several projects being compromised in production John made the decision in 2001 to create his own full service recording facility near his home in Southern California in order to take full control of the projects under his direction. Due to his consummate experience and contact list his studio quickly became the home to a truly world class installation.  Many less experienced musicians, producers, and composers dabble in a pro-tools environment, but John immerses his musical experience and knowledge into a medium that complements and expands his creative input across all musical genres, applications, and audio visual production.   

 As a producer/arranger Schreiner: Arranged and recorded a song for Aretha Franklin in the movie remake “Miracle on 34th St”. Produced debut CD for Cambria Detken, winner of the Ellen Degeneres “Sing In My Shower” contest 2009. Produced and co-wrote “Dance with Me” with the legendary Hal David (composer of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”)  as background music for Cindy Crawford's 2010 beauty infomercials. Produced Jose Feliciano for Burger King co