General John Vessey, Jr.  Chairman, For the Sake of the Church
Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs Of Staff, United States

"We have the right people, and we have the right mission. We as cabinet members have a leadership role to fill. With God's help, we will lead the entire church to support the sons and daughters of our Lutheran families."

General Vessey began his 46 years of military service in 1939 as a private. Those years closed in 1985 in his second term as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, the nation's highest military position. From 1986 to 1998 he served as a member of our Synod's Board for Mission Services. General Vessey has served as the Chairman of the For the Sake of the Church National Cabinet since it’s inception in 1998.

Rev. Dr. William Meyer  Director, For the Sake of the Church

"Our Concordias are attractive to Lutherans and non-Lutherans. In this effort, we have the opportunity to make them more affordable to the sons and daughters of our members."

Rev. Dr. Charles Mueller, Sr.  President, St. Philip Trust
Retired Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church Roselle, Illinois

"We need to provide high quality Christian education and help our kids go to those schools now... I was recruited with this vision in mind. I hope we do not stray from it... 4,000 additional Christian leaders in the kingdom is a formidable addition."

Reverend Mueller provides the Cabinet with spiritual leadership and is President of the St. Philip Trust -- our donor society that honors those who give $30,000 or more.

Dr. Betty Duda  Oviedo, Florida

"Having attended a Concordia, I know the value of that education. More people need to hear about the wonderful opportunity that awaits them at every one of our Concordias.... I am impressed with each of our schools, especially those with which I have been associated."

Betty ably served the people of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a member of the Boards of Regents, Concordia College, Bronxville and Concordia University, St. Paul. Delegates to the 1998 LCMS Convention elected her to the Board of Directors of our church body. In addition, Betty has served on the Synodical Board for Mission Services and as president of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. During her term, the group raised, for the first time in history, more than one million dollars for outreach activities. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Dr. Gloria Edwards  Portola Valley, California

"Our young people need encouragement and financial assistance to attend a Concordia and receive a quality, Christian education. Many of them will choose professional church careers, but all of them can pursue a Christian calling in whatever career they choose."

Gloria continues to serve her Lord and the church in various roles. She served as president of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League also known as Lutheran Women in Mission. She has completed service to Wheat Ridge Ministries, serving as vice chair; completed service to Concordia University Portland, recently serving as chair of the regents; served on the Board for Mission Services. Currently, she is vice chair of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a trustee of the LCMS Foundation, a board member of the Concordia University Portland Foundation, a member of the Partner Ministries Committee of the CNH District and president of her congregation.

A. William "Bill" Kernen  Omaha, Nebraska

"I have four children of my own, and I understand the importance of a good education centered in Christ."

Bill Kernen retired as Senior Vice President and CEO of the Omaha World-Herald Company. He was CEO of World Companies, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Omaha World-Herald Company (1998-2000). He is a member of the Board of Directors of American Information Systems. In addition, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Omaha, the Western Heritage Museum and the Omaha Symphony Association.

Bill has held several elected positions at St. Mark Lutheran Church including Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. In addition, Bill has served as chairman or member of several administrative boards and fund raising projects during the past 25 years.

Bill and his wife, Leona, have 14 grandchildren.

James H. Kilts  Rye, New York

James Kilts joined Nabisco (now Gillette) as President and CEO in January 1998. He oversees the company's worldwide business. Mr. Kilts was executive in residence at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and serves on the school's Advisory Council. He is a Trustee of Knox College and a member of the Board of Grocery Manufacturers of America.

Rev. Dr. Donald K. Muchow RADM, CHC, USN (RET)  Buda, Texas

Chaplain Muchow was the US Navy’s twentieth Chief of Chaplains. He was commissioned into the Naval Reserve in 1964 and began active duty in 1967. Chaplain Muchow has served as a civilian pastor, the Director of the Naval Chaplains School, adjunct professor at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and Chairman of the Armed Forces Board for the Secretary of Defense. He has received many awards including the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards and the Joint Meritorious Service Medal.

Chaplain Muchow currently serves as a member of the Texas District Ethics Task Force. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (1997-2001) and as the Chairman (1998-2001). In 1999, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was also awarded the Christian Leadership Award from Concordia University, Austin,Texas.

Chaplain Muchow and his wife, Monie have two sons.

Dr. Gerhard Mundinger, M.D. FACS  Jackson, Mississippi

"If a young person of the LCMS wants to go to one of our Concordias, he or she should have the opportunity to do so. If we state the facts about our unique university system clearly, our members will respond and fulfill that goal by the year 2010."

Gerhard currently leads "The Cardiovascular Surgical Clinic PA" of Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Mundinger has served on the medical faculties of the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University and directed the Vascular Surgery unit at Loch Haven Veteran's Hospital. He currently teaches at the University of Mississippi Medical School.

Dr. Ralph Reinke  Phoenix, Arizona

"People will go to For the Sake of the Church because we will be raising the awareness of the church. As more students choose a Concordia, the education program will be enhanced at all levels."

Dr. Reinke brings both educational and business leadership to our group. From 1971 to 1985 he served as President of Concordia Publishing House. In 1985 he assumed the presidency of Concordia College, Seward, where he increased the financial strength of the college and prepared it for ministry in the next century.

James Rice  Chesterfield, Missouri

"I still draw everyday from the things I learned from my pastor and teachers in a Lutheran grammar school. Those people were graduates of our Concordias, faithful workers of the Lord who have had profound effects on the church and the world. We have a story to get out!"

Jim served the people of the Synod as Director of Program Interpretation for the Board for Communications Services and then as Vice President for Seminary Relations at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In 1988, Jim founded his own company, VisionAire Corporation, which manufactures the world's first all-composite, cabin-class business jet.

Robert E. Schjerven  Highland Village, Texas

Bob Schjerven is CEO of Lennox International Inc. and past Chairman of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association. He is a member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Flower Mound, Texas.

Bob and his wife Anita have two children and a golden retriever named “Jake.”

Dr. Charles Schlimpert  Portland, Oregon

"There is no doubt that our church will be challenged in the years ahead. What can our colleges and universities do? We can strengthen our resolve to provide quality leaders, clergy and lay, trained by the church in service to the local congregation and community. For the Sake of the Church is right on target. Now we must create the opportunity for every Lutheran student that wants the opportunity to receive his or her college education from one of our Concordias."

Charles Schlimpert holds a B.A. degree in education from Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois. He received his M.Ed. degree from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Schlimpert assumed the presidency of Concordia University, Portland, Oregon, in July 1983. He is the fourth president since the university was founded in 1905. Dr. Schlimpert has provided leadership for the university, which began experiencing financial difficulties in the early 1980s.

Since 1993, Dr. Schlimpert has played a leadership role in the development of the innovative, nationwide consortium of 10 Concordia universities and colleges, known as the Concordia University System. Dr. Schlimpert volunteers on the NAIA Council of Presidents as well as the Lutheran Brotherhood Institutional Advisory Group.

Virgil Stone  Houston, Texas

"I've met some fine people from our Concordias ... we need to tell their story."

Virgil Stone is Chairman of the Board of Lengston Corporation; a family-owned Holding Company with diversified interests in Industrial Services and Natural Resources. Current and past memberships include: The American Petroleum Institute and The International Association of Drilling Contractors. He is a former member of the President’s Advisory Council at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and is currently a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.

Mr. Stone and his wife, Patricia, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Carol Stuhr  Saginaw, Michigan

Carol Stuhr was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and lived in Harrison for 12 ½ years. Carol and her husband, Neil, owned and operated Bridgeport Pools in Saginaw for 25 years. She now serves on the Board of Directors of Duro-Last Roofing, one of the seven companies that her father started.

Carol and Neil are members of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Harrison, Michigan. She has served her congregation as treasurer and is a member of the church choir and the LWML. In addition, Mrs. Stuhr leads a Bible study at the local jail and is a graduate of Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Carol and Neil have one daughter and two grandchildren.

Richard Vie  Lake Forest, Illinois
Vice-Chairman, FTSOTC

"The task involved in endowing education for young people of our church is daunting. If our members really understand what this endowment is being created for, we can achieve this."

Richard Vie is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unitrin, Inc., a Chicago-based company that provides property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and consumer-finance services with more than $2.5 billion in revenues. He has been a member of the Foundation Board of Directors of Concordia University, River Forest. He is a member of the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation and is a Director on the Board of Valparaiso University.

Joel R. Wilson  Weston, Connecticut

Joel Wilson is President and CEO of Josar Associates, Inc. an investing and consulting firm. Mr. Wilson is also President and CEO of the Harbinger Group, Inc. and a member of its Board of Directors. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Valparaiso University and he is Chairman of the Louis S. Wilson Memorial Foundation.