Dr. William Schumacher, mission professor of Historical Theology, director of the Institute for Mission Studies and the Buehner-Duesenberg Professor of Missions at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will become the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Mission Nation Publishing (MNP), succeeding Dr. Robert Scudieri. Established in 2016, MNP is a communications ministry that produces missionary biographies, curriculum materials, interviews and podcasts that equip churches to reach new ethnic groups in America with the Gospel of Jesus.

Schumacher will continue to serve on the Seminary faculty while taking on the new role at MNP.

“With his background of missionary service and his work at Concordia Seminary with our theological research and publication efforts, it is no surprise to me that Dr. Schumacher was tapped for this role. The objectives of MNP fit beautifully not only with Dr. Schumacher’s own experiences but also with the work of Concordia Seminary,” said Dr. Thomas J. Egger, president of Concordia Seminary. “We aim to form faithful Lutheran pastors, missionaries and deaconesses who care for the lost and who delight in bringing the Gospel to those of every nation, tribe, people and language! I pray that the stories distributed by MNP will be an inspiration and an encouragement to many people, including our students.”

Educating others about cross-cultural ministry has long been one of Schumacher’s passions.

“Even before I was called to Concordia Seminary, I helped put together a cross-cultural field education experience for our Master of Divinity students. We did this because we thought all students could benefit from learning the skills and attitudes of overseas missionaries, to serve people who are different from us,” said Schumacher. “At the Seminary, we are preparing students to lead congregations and to make those cross-cultural connections with the Gospel. MNP exists to help congregations do exactly that. The opportunities to produce mission materials through MNP will be a great fit with my responsibilities at the Seminary in helping form future pastors and deaconesses.”

Schumacher joined the Seminary as a staff member in 1996, serving as assistant to the director of Resident Field Education and continuing in that role after becoming a faculty member (1998-2007). He served as dean of Theological Research and Publication (2006-12) and as the chairman of the Department of Historical Theology (2014-16). In 2019, Schumacher was installed as the Buehner-Duesenberg Professor of Missions.

Concurrent with his service at the Seminary, Schumacher worked as a theological coordinator for Africa (2010-12) for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Mission.

Prior to joining the Seminary in 1996, Schumacher served as a LCMS missionary in Botswana, Africa (1985-95). He has taught and lectured internationally in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Schumacher received his Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology and Doctor of Philosophy from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1985, 1996, 2003). He earned his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in German language and literature from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa (1981).

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.