Read Pres. Woodford's bio

President Woodford is a graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul (1998) and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (M.Div., 2002 and S.T.M., 2003). His first call was to First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, WI. He was then called to serve as senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church and School, Mayer, MN (2005 – 2018). He holds the D.Min. in Christian outreach from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne (2011). His project dissertation was published as Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession?: The Mission of the Holy Christian Church (Wipf & Stock, 2012).

President Woodford is the author of several articles that have appeared in The Lutheran Witness, LOGIA, and Seelsorger. Most recently, he published another book coauthored with good friend Harold Senkbeil, Church Leadership & Strategy: For the Care of Souls (Lexham Press, 2019). President Woodford also serves as a fellow with DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel, which provides advanced training in the classic care of souls to help pastors become better pastors.

President Woodford and his wife, Rebecca, are the parents of Isabella (2003), Thaddeus (2007), Aletheia (2009), Ekklacia (“Klaci”, 2011), Soteria (2014), Titus (2017), and Basileia (2022). He enjoys reading, writing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Read Pastor Wismar's bio

Pastor Wismar serves as Executive Assistant to the President. In this position, he assists the District President in his administrative responsibilities and provides counsel and guidance to congregations and church staff in times of transition, conflict, or crisis. Pastor Wismar's duties include the orientation of new workers in the District, particularly new pastors in their first years of ministry.

Pastor Wismar previously served nine years at Mayer Lutheran High School as the Director of Christian Faith Development. Prior to MLHS, he served as a parish pastor for almost 10 years at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Slidell, LA. Pastor Wismar earned his B. A. in secondary education / social sciences from Concordia University Wisconsin in 1996 and his Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2001. During his seminary training, he also studied abroad for a year (1998-1999) at Westfield House in Cambridge, England. In the summer of 2009, Pastor Wismar traveled to Israel to study at Jerusalem University College—a truly enriching experience!

Pastor Wismar grew up in New Orleans, LA, so he loves seafood, but he doesn’t miss the weather. Believe it or not, this southern boy has learned to love Minnesota winters. His hobbies include fishing (open water and hard water), hunting, boating, and camping—or pretty much anything that will get him outdoors enjoying creation.

Read Debbie's bio

Debbie serves as the administrative assistant to President Woodford and Pastor Wismar. Debbie is a graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul with a degree in business administration. She has previously worked in the fine arts industry, publishing and licensing art images, and settlement administration.

Debbie lives with her husband, Bruce, on a farm just outside of Prior Lake. There have been sightings of her on a tractor, but only during desperate times! She and Bruce have two adult sons (Isaiah, married to Alecia, and Samuel) and enjoy camping, biking, hiking, and kayaking. They are members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake.

Read Dr. Johnson's bio

Dr. Phil Johnson serves as Assistant to the President for Congregation Mission Formation. In this position, he helps pastors and congregations develop intentional, purposeful engagement in ministry beyond their current membership by facilitating training and developing resources that contribute to a long-term process of mission formation and outreach leadership development.

Dr. Johnson graduated from Concordia, St. Paul in 1982 as the second graduate of the newly formed director of evangelism program. He served for 20 years at Christ Lutheran in Lincoln, NE, and Peace Lutheran in Arvada, CO, as a director of Christian outreach (DCO). Prior to his current position, he served for 12 years as an instructor at Concordia University, St. Paul and as the coordinator of their DCO program.

Dr. Johnson and his wife, Sandy, have four adult children (Sarah, Andrew, Benjamin, and Philip) and eleven grandchildren. In his leisure time, he enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and spending time with family.

Read Pastor Lee's bio

Pastor Vue Lee serves as the Assistant to the President for Missions. He desires to help bring the Good News of Jesus to all nations. Pastor Lee previously served thirteen years at King of Kings Lutheran Church and School in Roseville. At King of Kings, the people, outreach, and discipleship were his passions and joy. Before Pastor Lee moved his family to Minnesota in 2008, he worked with planting churches and making disciples in California. He also passionately supports organizations in mission work overseas.

Pastor Vue Lee married his high school love, May Lee. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. Pastor Lee and May love to travel in their 4x4 off-road vehicle across the U.S. They enjoy exploring the beaches, hills, and mountaintops. May is a photographer, which is a plus in capturing God’s beautiful creation. Together they are both committed to serving and loving God’s people. Daily, they spend time with their children and grandchildren because all three generations live together in one house. Everything that Pastor Lee does, and everyone who he comes in contact with, is an opportunity to share Jesus. One of his favorite sayings is, “You don’t need to go share Jesus; share Jesus as you go.”

Read Sean's bio

Sean serves as Assistant to the President for Education & Commissioned Ministers. In this role, he provides consulting services and assistance to the schools, administrators, and teachers of the District. Martens previously served as principal at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran School, Eagan, MN; teacher and interim principal at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, NE; assistant football coach at Concordia University, Nebraska; and teacher / coach at Faith Lutheran, Las Vegas, NV.

One of Sean's passions is coaching, and he currently is an assistant football coach at Apple Valley High School. Sean and his wife, Brenda, have four children: Devin, Zachary, Madeline, and Luke.

Read Christina's bio

Christina Krentz serves the District as commissioned workers support. She works with the Assistant to the President, Education & Commissioned Ministers to support and encourage the schools, teachers, and other commissioned ministers in the MN South District. Christina is a graduate of University of Wisconsin extension, Manitowoc, WI, with an associates degree in math and science. She has over 30 years of experience working as an office manager, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant in Lutheran congregations, schools and various businesses.

Christina and her husband, Paul, have been married for over 40 years and live in Savage. Together, they have three grown children. She is a member at Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Bloomington. In the summer, she loves hiking, biking, or canoeing—and reading or knitting by the fireplace during the winter months.

Read Nadine's bio

Nadine serves as the Communications Director. In this role, she develops and executes effective means of connecting people to the mission and stories of the Minnesota South District. Nadine is a graduate of the Director of Christian Education & Music program of Concordia, St. Paul (1985). In that capacity, she has served Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Frazee, MN; Peace With Christ Lutheran Church – Aurora, CO; and Christ Lutheran Church – Eagan, MN.

Nadine and her husband, Monte, live in beautiful Brainerd. They have a combined family of four adult children: Emily (husband Nick), Raymond (wife Kayla and grandkids, Milo & Etta), Vince (wife Crystal and granddaughter, Ruby), and Peter. In the summer months, she enjoys being outside as much as possible, especially fishing on one of the incredible Brainerd area lakes, doing yard work and gardening, biking, and walking. In the winter, you will find her snuggling with the dogs, watching birds, sewing & crafts, baking, and playing the piano.

Read Josh's bio

Josh joined the district office in the fall of 2023 to oversee business functions such as Finance, HR, Legal, IT, and Facilities management. He recently completed a Master's in Leadership in Complex Contexts from the University of Gloucestershire (Redcliffe College) that built on his 5 years in Human Resources, and his B.A. in Business Administration.

Most recently, Sierra Leone (West Africa) was home to the Wagner family for 7 years of their service with Lutheran Bible Translators. Josh's wife continues today as an instructor with LBT for the Kerewe translation team in Tanzania. The Kerewe team is working on the New Testament for their people group who primarily live on an island in Lake Victoria. Ruthie teaches remotely and travels periodically to teach in person.

Josh and Ruthie have 4 children and live in Northfield, MN. They all enjoy playing strategy games together. Josh enjoys editing photos in Lightroom, listening to theology podcasts, and using clicky keyboards to do inscrutable techie things.

Read Rick's Bio

Rick has served at the District office since May 2014. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a degree in accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor. Prior to working at the District office, Rick held various accounting and auditing positions with public and private organizations, including Control Data, NRG Energy, RSM McGladrey, Digital River, and St. Paul Public Schools.

Rick and his wife, Jill, have two children, Josh (wife Brianna and grandson, Carter) and Kelsey. Outside of the office, he enjoys golfing, walking, bike riding, and working on projects around the house.

Read Julie's Bio

Julie serves the District working with accounts payable and donors. She attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, and has worked here at the District since 1995. She previously worked as an administrative assistant in the aerospace and legal fields.

Julie is married to Bruce. They have two grown children and have the joy of a beautiful granddaughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, granddaughter, and dog as well as reading, designing and creating jewelry, playing piano, and learning new things about our interesting world.

Read Pastor Hinz's bio

Pastor Hinz serves as Public Policy Advocate for both Minnesota North and South Districts of the LCMS. As such, he represents the LCMS in matters pertaining to life issues (abortion and doctor-assisted suicide), issues related to marriage, family, and sexuality, and issues related to religious freedom, including parental choice in education. A graduate of Trinity Lutheran School (Waconia), Mayer Lutheran High School, Concordia University, Nebraska, Chicago State University, and Luther Northwestern Seminary, Pastor Hinz has taught biological science at both the high school and college levels, owned and operated retail shoe stores, and served as a parish pastor in St. James, MN, and Gaylord, MN. In addition to active engagement in the public policy matters of the Synod, Pastor Hinz also advocates for the advancement of intelligent design theory.

Pastor Hinz and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 40 years. Together, they have three married children who have so far given them 12 grandchildren. They reside in Gaylord, MN.

Read Kai's bio

Kai began his work with LCEF and the District in March 2017. Kai comes to LCEF with a communications degree from Minnesota State University and has worked in various roles in sales, banking, and management for the past 14 years in Minnesota and most recently with New York Life. His dad was an LCMS pastor who served in a variety of roles and districts in the Upper Midwest. Kai knows the LCMS culture, has a strong banking background, and looks forward to building relationships with congregations, pastors, and leaders.

Kai and his wife, Kimberly, have one child, Paige. Kai and his family are members at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth.