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WELS/ILS Call Updates

Active Calls

  • The District Mission Board has extended a call to Pastor Tom Engelbrecht of Christ Our Redeemer in Aurora, CO to serve at our new mission start in Cedar Lake, Indiana. If you'd like more information on the Cedar Lake Mission Start, or contact information for Pastor Engelbrecht, please reach out to Pastor Cook.

  • The ILS Board of Directors was led to call Reverend Noah Bater to serve as President of Illinois Lutheran Schools. He currently serves at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, CA. Please take a moment to click on the link below for his acknowledgement letter. We ask you to keep Reverend Bater and his family in your prayers as he prayerfully considers his calls.

Call Decisions

  • Pastor Cook has decided to return (decline) his call to serve at a brand new mission start up in Jarrell, Texas. He will remain here at Trinity. May God continue to bless his work here in Crete.

  • This last quarter of the school year, Illinois Lutheran High School was blessed with two student teachers from Martin Luther College. One of those student teachers was Mr. Ty Marohn who taught physical education at several grade levels, Introduction to the Bible, and Computer Applications. He also assisted with high school track. We are excited to announce that Mr. Marohn will be joining us this fall as he was called to serve as our new PE teacher and Assistant Athletic Director. We welcome Mr. Marohn to the Illinois Lutheran family!

  • Monica Swenson has accepted the call to serve as the 7th grade homeroom teacher and teach Junior High and High School courses. Ms. Swenson has taught at a number of schools and age levels during her career, most recently 4th grade at Coretta Scott King Elementary School. We welcome her to ILS!

  • Pastor Jesse Stern has returned (declined) the call to serve as Trinity’s new pastor.

  • The ILS Board of Directors has extended a one-year call to Mr. Jeff Rick to serve as the ILS Dean of Students, instructor and coach for the 2025-26 school year. Mr. Rick has accepted this call.

  • Nate Hinz, our Activities Director and junior high/high school teacher, has accepted a divine call to teach at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, Florida. He will be teaching in the theology department, mainly New Testament to freshmen and Intro to Bible to students new to Jesus. Please keep Mr. Hinz and his family in your prayers as he finishes out the school year at ILS.

  • Mr. James Buboltz was called to serve as the ILS Dean of Students. Mr. Buboltz has returned (declined) this call and will remain at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, MN.

  • Rev. Dr. Timothy Bourman has returned (declined) the call to serve as President of Illinois Lutheran Schools. He will continue to serve as the Pastor of Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Queens, NY.

  • Pastor Brian Wrobel has returned (declined) the call to be Associate Pastor at Trinity. While he was excited to consider this call that aligned well with his gifts, he explained that his current church (Zion, Gainsville, FL) was on the cusp of approving a rather large building and ministry project they'd been working towards for several years. Sunday, April 6th, they approved the project unanimously and will be moving forward with future ministry plans. In lieu of this, he felt a strong pull to stay and continue serving. Brian was very appreciative to all those who reached out to him during this process and will keep our ministry in his prayers!

  • Mr. Matt Pearson was called to serve as Dean of Students. He has decided to return (decline) this call.

  • Mrs. Kat Blumer has accepted the call to serve as preschool teacher for Illinois Lutheran beginning next school year.

  • Mrs. Stacey Sievert, our preschool teacher, librarian and teacher aide, has accepted the call to serve as preschool teacher at Gethsemane Lutheran School in Omaha, NE.

  • Mr. Nathan Hinz received a call to Salem Lutheran School in Milwaukee, WI to teach 7th grade. He has decided to return (decline) this call.

  • Mr. Joseph Blum has returned (declined) the call to serve as the Dean of Students and junior high/high school teacher.

  • Mrs. Kelly Henning, who currently serves as a preschool teacher at ILES, has accepted the call to serve as the 8th grade homeroom teacher and junior high/high school teacher at Illinois Lutheran.

  • Mr. Matthew Foley has returned (declined) the call to serve as the ILS President.

  • Mrs. Emma Tesch has returned (declined) the call to serve as the 8th grade homeroom teacher and teach high school English.

  • Pastor Italiano has accepted his divine call to be pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Muskego, WI. His family will be staying through the end of the school year. Please keep Pastor and his family in your prayers as they prepare for this transition, as well as keep Trinity in your prayers as we navigate through the call process and steps to be taken to carry on without him. Click here to read Pastor's letter to the congregation.

  • Mr. Phil Adickes, our Dean of Students and teacher at the junior high/high school campus, has accepted his call to serve at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School in Menasha, WI.  Please keep Mr. Adickes and his family in your prayers as they make this transition this summer. Also, keep Illinois Lutheran in your prayers as they navigate through the call process to replace Mr. Adickes.