Delegates to the LCMS New Jersey District convention unanimously re-elected Rev. William Klettke of Wrightstown to his second three-year term as distri
ct president. Klettke was unopposed. The convention was May 18-20 at Swedesboro.
Re-elected to his third term in office was Rev. Paul Huneke, pastor of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Tinton Falls, first vice president.
Convention delegates also elected Rev. Gregg Ramirez, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Verona, second vice president; and Rev. Robert Kuppler, pastor of Somerset Hills Lutheran Church, Basking Ridge, third vice president.
Klettke and the vice presidents were installed during the convention.
Only a few resolutions came to the floor for delegates’ consideration.
Of those, two concerned realigning circuits and updating the language of the district’s bylaws. Another resolution thanked district workers who are retiring.
Klettke reminded the assembly that the district’s 2003 convention adopted a “Seeds Campaign” to raise funds for planting new churches. He said that campaign is starting to bear fruit with the district soon planting a new church in the Barnegat, N.J. area — the first new suburban church start for the district in more than 10 years.
Gathered under the theme of “Mission Lights” (based on Matt. 5:14-16), the convention marked the official beginning of the district’s three-year “Mission Forward” initiative to advance mission outreach in the state.
Synod First Vice President William R. Diekelman addressed the convention, thanking the district for such emphases as the “Seeds Campaign” and “Mission Forward,” which he observed are “Kingdom and mission-minded.”
Diekelman noted that they provide a natural complement to the Synod Ablaze! initiative to share the Good News of Christ with those who are unchurched or uncommitted.
Dr. Tony Steinbronn, the district’s mission executive, told delegates and guests that the New Jersey District is working on a plan for Gospel outreach among the 102,000 Chinese people in the state.
Rev. Claude and Rhoda Hogue, a married couple who serve an LCMS mission post in Kenya, told the convention assembly about their work in East Africa. They said that work is primarily carried out via 35 mission-training centers and church planting through leadership development.
The convention’s worship-service offering was given to support the Hogues’ mission work.
Posted June 1, 2006
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