District Slate of Candidates

NW DISTRICT NOMINATING COMMITTEE | Slate of Candidates

June 9-10, 2026  |  Fox Valley Lutheran High School

*indicates incumbent

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Governing Board - Teacher  Representative         Term to 2030

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Mr. Phil Stern *  

Age: 62 Currently Serves at:  Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:  1986-1987 Travel Canvas Witness Ministry

1987-2018 Trinity Lutheran Grade School, Waco, NE Nebraska, District Board of Appeals - 4years Synod Board of Appeals - 1 year, Nebraska District Parish School Coordinator - 12 years

_______ Mr. Peter Wolfgramm - Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI 

Age: 52 Currently Serves - Director of Operations for Grace in Action; Staff Minister at Riverview 

Appleton (2001-2019)

_______ Mr. Seth Jaeger

Age: 42 Currently a Member at: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI

Currently Serves: Fox Valley Lutheran High School -  Teacher at Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Head Football Coach, Physical Education Department Chair, PLC Coordinator

Martin Luther College Governing Board - Laymen Representative         Term to 2030

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Mr. Todd Marten * 

Age: 55 Currently a Member at: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Howards Grove, WI (Manitowoc 

Conference)

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Todds’ occupation is Turf Management (Asst. Golf Course Superintendent) He is a past member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Council (in Plymouth, WI), past Elder, President, and Vice President of St. Paul’s Howards Grove.  Currently serving on St. Paul’s Long Range Planning Committee. (He is a current member of the MLC Governing Board)

_______ Mr. James Hoogervorst 

Age: 47 Currently a Member at:  Riverview Lutheran Church in Appleton

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:  Former WELS Pastor (18 years) and Current Business Office Manager at Riverview Lutheran in Appleton; Michigan District, Mission Board; Northern Wisconsin, Commission on Worship; WELS Hymnal Committee, Rites Subcommittee; MLC Grad 2001, WLS Grad 2005, MBA in Healthcare Admin from Concordia, WI, Anticipated Graduation July 2026; My son has completed his freshman year at MLC.

_______ Mr. Dean Ticks

Age: 62 Currently a Member at: Mt Calvary Lutheran, Harrison, WI; Fox River Valley Conference

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Prepress Manager, Green Bay Packaging, De Pere, WI (retiring 

6/5/26). Stewardship Dir. (current), digital outreach/social media/AV (current), Elders, will be training for prison ministry team as well upon retirement. Previous committee chairs at other WELS churches: Evangelism, Fellowship, Elders. My son is a graduate of MLC and Wis Luth Seminary (& is a pastor in N. Wis. District.)  I fervently wish to help further MLC’s mission in any way possible through this position. Once I’m retired as of 6/5/26, I have a fervent desire to serve not only my own church, but ministries such as MLC & Wis Luth. Seminary. Thank you for the honor of asking me to be nominated.

Luther Preparatory School Governing Board – Pastor  Representative          Term to 2030                                                

VOTE FOR (1) ONE

_______ Pastor Jesse Johnston * 

Age: 41 Currently Serves at:  Mt. CalvaryLutheran Church, Menasha, WI 

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:  WELS United (2013-2014), Northern Wisconsin District Nominating Committee (2016-2020), Northern Wisconsin District Evangelism Committee (2018-present) Northern Wisconsin Special Ministries Coordinator (2019-2024)

Everyone Outreach Facilitator (2021-present), LPS Governing Board member (2022-present) 

_______ Pastor Thomas Voss 

Age 42 Currently Serves:  Martin Luther Lutheran Church and School, Oshkosh, WI and 

Campus Ministry Pastor – UW-Oshkosh. 

 Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:  Previously served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Des Moines, WA 2010-20; Circuit Pastor (2018-2020); South Sudanese Pacific NW Mission Pastoral Advisor 2013- 20); PNW Board of Appeals (2014-15); LWMS District Pastoral Advisor (2011-12); Tom is an '02 graduate of Luther Prep, as is his wife Kendalyn nee Taylor ('03). Their oldest daughter, Josefine, just completed her freshman year at LPS, and they are likely to have a child at Prep every year, from now until 2038.  

_______ Pastor Nathan Moldenhauer 

Age: 38 Currently Serving:  Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Brillion WI (Manitowoc conference)

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Michigan Lutheran Seminary (Tutor and Recruiter): 

2014-2016 Immanuel, Greenville: 2016-2021; Shepherd of the Hills, Tucson: 2021-2025;  

Trinity, Brillion: 2026 - present; AZ/CA District Mission Board 2022-2025

NW District Mission Board - Layman Representative Term to 2030

_______ Mr. _David Spielbauer 

Age:73 Currently a member of Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI (for 39 years)

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: My work career was spent mostly in

sales roles - with several different companies selling security and life safety

Systems.  Over that time - I have served on a number of our Church Boards:

Lay Ministry, Evangelism, School Board, Spiritual Growth; Additionally, I also assist with communion distribution and make a joyful noise in our church choir.

NW District Nominating Committee – Chairman                  Term to 2030

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Pastor Paul Cole* 

Age: 58 Currently Serves:  Christ Lutheran Church, Menominee, MI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Tutor at MLPS & LPS,  District Adult Discipleship Committee (1998-2004), Northwoods Conference Program Committee Chairman (2017-2023), Commission on Special Ministries Member (present); Circuit Pastor 2020 (present)

_______ Pastor David Olson  

Age 48 Currently Serves:  Immanuel Lutheran Church, Greenville, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:  Served for 7 years at Shepherd of the Hills in Greeley, CO where he served on the Youth Discipleship Committee and served for a time as the District Evangelism Chairman.  Then he served the saints in Madison, TN for 8 years.  He served at St. Matthew, Appleton before being called to Immanuel. 

NW District Nominating Committee – Fox River Valley Pastoral Conference         Term to 2030      

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Pastor Timothy Wagner * 

Age: 49 Currently Serves:  Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Michigan District Commission on Special Ministries (2016-18); Michigan District Commission on Worship (2017-18); Ohio Conference Program Committee Chairman (2014-18); WELS Mission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (2008-2012); NW District Nominating Committee (2022-present); NW District Congregational Special Ministries Coordinator (2024-present).

_______ Pastor Carl Schroeder 

Age: 52 Currently Serves: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay, WI; Fox River Valley Conference

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Ten Year Associate Pastor at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran;  One 

Year Vicar Year Serving Eternal Love Ev. Lutheran. Church at Appleton, WI; Three year Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Seven year Associate Pastor at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Baraboo, WI; Five years Lutheran Elementary School Teacher at  Immanuel Lutheran School (WELS) in Fort Worth Texas            (fulltime principal for the final two years of service at Immanuel)  

_______ Pastor Nathaniel Buchner 

Age: 38 Currently Serves: Grace Lutheran Church, Neenah, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: A previous LWMS Officer and South Sudanese Global 

Committee Member

NW District Nominating Committee – Manitowoc Pastoral Conference         Term to 2030       

VOTE FOR (1) ONE

_______ Pastor Joel Stuebs* 

Age:  47 Currently Serves:  St. Peter Lutheran Church, Mishicot, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Manitowoc Conference Program Committee (2019-21) Manitowoc Conference Chairman (2021-2024); Circuit Pastor (2024-Present); District Nominating Committee (2020-present); 

_______ Pastor John Berg  

Age: 50 Currently Serves: St. John Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, WI - Manitowoc Conference

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: He serves as a circuit pastor and has served on various 

convention committees

_______ Pastor Paul Bowe - 

Age: 42 Currently Serves: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, WI. - Manitowoc Conference

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: NWD Commission on Evangelism, 2025-present

NW District Nominating Committee – Northwoods Pastoral Conference          Term to  2030       

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Pastor Charles Crass * 

Age: 32 Currently Serves:  Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Mark Lutheran Church,  Daggett, MI

_______ Pastor Matthew Stuebs 

Age: 37 Currently Serves: Calvary Lutheran, Abrams, WI

_______ Pastor Jason Liebenow 

Age: 36 Currently Serves:St. John’s, St. Mark’s and St. Paul Lutheran Church – Florence, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: LWMS Spiritual Growth Pastor; Northwoods Conference Program Committee Member

Northern Wisconsin District Board of Appeals – Chairman         Term to 2030       

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Pastor Jonathan Kuske * 

Age: 64 Currently Serves:  St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI - Fox River Valley

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Circuit Pastor; Conference Chairman of the Board of Appeals

_______ Pastor Peter Lindemann 

Age: 56 Currently Serves: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Previously a Pastor of a Dual Parish, Zion, Egg Harbor/Christ, 

Baileys Harbor and Principal at LES school: Circuit Pastor beginning in 2006 - 2024

Northern Wisconsin District Board of Appeals – Pastor Representative         Term to 2030       

VOTE FOR (2) Two 

_______ Pastor James Borgwardt * 

Age:55 Currently Serves:  Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, WI

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Cottonbelt Conference Secretary/Treasurer 1998-2011; WLA Executive Board 2013-2019; Forward in Christ Contributing Editor 2018-2023; Everyone Outreach Presenter 2021-present; District Mission Board 2024-present, Circuit Pastor 2025-present,  

_______ Pastor Nathanael Plocher

Age: 31 Currently Serves: Zion Lutheran Church, Rhinelander, WI; Northwoods Conference

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Circuit treasurer (current), LWMS Pastoral Advisor (current); Member of NW District Worship Committee (current)

_______ Pastor Matthew Grunewald 

Age: 54 Currently serves:  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, WI

_______ Pastor Scott Miller  

Age: 52 Currently Serves:  Christ Lutheran Church, Baileys Harbor /|  Zion Lutheran Church, Egg 

Harbor,  WI  Fox River Valley

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:Pastor: Light of Life, Greenwood, Indiana (2018-2024); Pastor: Immanuel, South Lyon, MI  (2006-2018): Pastor: Grace, Burke, SD  (2001-2005)  Circuit Pastor: Kentuckiana Circuit, SE WI District (2022-2024)

Northern Wisconsin District Board of Appeals – Teacher Representative          Term to 2030                                 

VOTE FOR (1) One

_______ Mr. David Wilson* 

Age: 52 Currently Serves:  Immanuel Lutheran School, Manitowoc, WI - Principal

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom:  Lord and Savior, Crystal Lake, IL – Principal/Teacher (10 Years)

Peace, Livonia, MI – Principal/Teacher (10 years), Seminary Governing Board, Chicago Area Teachers’ Conference Chairman, Chicago Area Principals’ Conference Secretary/Treasurer, Chicago Area Principals’ Conference Chairman, Southeastern Michigan Principals’ Conference Chairman, Southeastern Michigan Principal’s Conference Secretary/Treasurer

_______ Mr. Brian Kopp - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Greenville, WI, NWD

Age: 53 Currently Serves:  Fox Valley Lutheran High School  as the FVL Curriculum Coordinator and 

English Instructor

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Previous Academic Dean and Instructor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary; Previous Member of the  WELS Ministerial Education Schools Curriculum Committee 

_______ Mr. Matthew Augustine 

Age: 36 Currently Serves: Trinity Lutheran School -  LES, Campbellsport, WI, - Principal 

Service in the Lord’s Kingdom: Principal at Zion in Chesaning, MI (2012-2023); VP of WLA 

Schools (2026); Program Committee - Michigan District Teacher Conference (2017-2019); New Teacher Induction mentor - Michigan District (2021-2022); Teacher delegate to the 2021 synod convention

Northern Wisconsin District Board of Appeals – Lay Representative          Term to 2030                                     

VOTE FOR (1) ONE 

_______ Scott Kohls * 

Age: 67 Currently a member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Green Bay, WI

Service in the Lord’s kingdom:    Business Unit Manager, Pressure Sensitive Label Products, Belmark inc., Past Bd of Stewardship Chair and Treasurer.  Currently serving as Congregational President. Lay Delegate for Northern Wisconsin District Convention June 2026. Occasional volunteer for Kingdom Workers

_______ Tim Baneck 

Age 68 Currently a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Marinette, WI (Northwoods Conference).

Service in the Lord’s kingdom: Semi-retired; serving as a part-time educational consultant. Has served for many years on his congregation’s Board of Christian Education.