2026 Presenters

Wes Hromowyk (Zion, Columbus, OH), “Discipling, Discipline, and Corporal Chastisement: A Biblical Primer.” In a world of “gentle parenting”, be a parent of the Proverbs: “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them” (Pro 13:24). Along with proactive training, discipline and chastisement become the tools parents use to help raise the next godly generation. This presentation will offer encouragement and support for the kings and queens of the Christian home!

Terry Worst (New Hope, Grandville/Newark, OH)

Eli Shaw (Bethany, Columbus, OH),  "Talking About Closed Communion.” The historic practice of "Closed Communion" is a loving practice, but it frequently comes across as unloving by those who visit our churches. Talking about "Closed Communion" can make people uncomfortable, including the pastor/greeter(s)/elder(s) responsible for sharing our doctrine and practice with others. Clearly, what we believe about the Lord's Supper matters, but it also matters how we talk about it (especially with visitors who don't know or understand the practice of "Closed Communion"). Experience shows that, when communicated faithfully and tactfully, outsiders are more receptive to "Closed Communion" than they otherwise would have been if the topic was handled with less care. "Closed Communion" demonstrates both love for God and love for neighbor, and it's our responsibility to confess this truth.

Adam Steinbrenner (St. John’s Dublin, OH)

Cody Schrepferman (Gethsemane, Marion, OH)

Noah Dunsmore (Zion, Mount Pleasant, MI)

Christopher McCarthy (St. Paul’s, Ashland, KY), “Table Fellowship with the King: Royal Favor Communicated in the Lord's Supper.” It seems that we can always dig deeper into the mystery of the Lord's Supper. We confess our unworthiness for such a gift and come because of our great need for the forgiveness of sins. But this grace is even more magnified when we remember that Christ is our King, Who gives gifts and shows favor to those who cannot repay Him. Truly, this is what it means for Him to be your God-King. As we dive into the Scriptures of Old and New Testaments, we will see a correlation between God's favor, His presence, eating and drinking in His presence, and the Lord's Supper. 

Keith Witte (Bethlehem, Fairborn), “Ministry to the Armed Forces: Observations from an LCMS Chaplain and Parish Pastor.” Chaplain Witte will share the blessings and challenges of ministry to the armed forces. What are the common issues that military members and their families face today? How are military members a blessing to the local congregation? How can congregations get involved in this ministry, or improve their existing ministry, through Operation Barnabas? 

Jacob Deal (St. Timothy, Huber Heights, OH), “The World Wants Your Church.” The world seeks to undermine the Church by first attacking the Christian household, the primary place where the faith is taught, confessed, and handed down to future generations. Drawing from the witness of Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the historic Church, this paper argues that faithfulness in marriage, catechesis, and family life is essential to preserving doctrinal fidelity within the congregation. By exploring the consequences of marriage between believers and unbelievers, compromised confession, and weakened discipline, it calls Christians to renew their commitment to the household as the nursery of the true faith and a chief pillar in the building up of faithful congregations.

Ross Gottschalk (St. Paul’s WELS, Columbus, OH), “A WELS Pastor's Perspective on the LCMS.” -The Dunning-Kruger effect is a psychological term used to describe the inability of individuals to accurately assess their own skills and abilities. It is like a cognitive tunnel vision. This can happen to us as individuals, it can happen to churches, and it can even happen to a synod. While we may not share in full fellowship, I believe the WELS and LCMS can still be a blessing to one another by offering an outside perspective. It is easy for churches to get used to things that may not be good. After seeing the same stain in the carpet 300 times, we become blind to it. A first-time visitor will be able to point it out right away. I hope to offer an outsider's perspective on what I see in the LCMS so that we can better serve Christ and His Kingdom! If you have any questions about what is going on with the WELS, I would be happy to answer them as well.

Andrew Twietmeyer (St. Paul’s, Hillsdale, MI), “The concepts of Death and Life in the Scriptures.”
Adam, who later fathered Cain, Able, and Seth, died on the day he ate from the Tree of Knowledge (Genesis 2:17). Jairus’s daughter is not dead, but sleeping (Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56). The dead bury their own dead (Luke 9:60, Matthew 8:22). God is the God of the living, including the long deceased Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Luke 20:38, Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:27). You have died, and your life is hidden with God (Colossians 3:2). To set the mind of the flesh is death (Romans 8:8). All of these passages have something in common. They challenge the notion that death is strictly related to heartbeats and brain activity. If death is something more than a heart that does not beat, then what is it? In asking this question, Christians will learn that, through the divine revelation of the Holy Scriptures, they can learn more about death (and also life) than what the senses and reason reveal.

Dan Golden (St. Paul’s, Parkersburg, WV), “Appalachian Preaching Stations.” How does a Preaching Station begin in the 21st century? What does it look like? Where do they go? The answer may surprise you.