Enrollment Team

Rev. James Cleland

Background: “I spent two decades being prepared by God to become a pastor while I served as a summer camp director and Lutheran school teacher. I was blessed to have an opportunity to serve as a pastor trained through the Specific Ministry Pastor Program before moving to the Seminary for the residential Master of Divinity Program.”

Highlight from Seminary: “I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I got to spend on campus with the Seminary community. Because of the relationships I made with professors and fellow students at the Seminary, I learned just how deep and beautiful the Gospel of Jesus Christ is.”

Advice for prospective students: “Grades, books and knowledge our important, but the professors and students you meet at the Seminary will be essential to your formation as a pastor. The more time you spend enjoying God’s gifts with people outside of class, the more you will get out of your studies.”

Rev. Will Hanke

Background: “By the age of 10, I had people telling me I should be a pastor, and by age 13 I had made that the plan for my life. I love finding creative ways to share the Gospel of Jesus.”

Highlight from Seminary: “Seminary was a blast! I enjoyed the brotherhood, and loved playing sports and talking theology with my friends. I built lifelong friendships in Seminary.”

Advice for prospective students: “Listen to those who are encouraging you to come to Seminary and ask them questions. Ask them why they think you should be a pastor, what qualities do they see, etc.”

Rev. Germán Novelli Jr.

Background: “I was born and raised in Venezuela, and I came to the United States in 2012 to begin my ministry at Grace.”

Highlight from Seminary: “I think my Seminary experience was unique, with three programs involved [Specific Ministry Pastor Program, Center for Hispanic Studies and Master of Divinity Program]. The Seminary is one of the greatest blessings I have in my life.”

Advice for prospective students: “‘Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain’ (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV). God can do great things through us, His servants!”

Rev. Micah Steiner

Background: "Even though I grew up in a great home, with loving and faithful parents, and attended a Lutheran elementary school, I was a rebellious kid and struggled in my faith life while in high school. However the Lord never stopped pursuing me, and while on a study abroad trip to India in college, I entered into a season of repentance, and came back to the states with a renewed appreciation for my baptismal identity in Christ and the grace God had poured out on me. As a result, I was led into a life of church work, first as a Director of Christian Education and later as a pastor through the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program at Concordia Seminary."

Highlight from Seminary: "From a young age people told me that someday I would be a pastor, which of course I fought for more than 35 years! I love serving the Lord in this role, and found my time at the Seminary invaluable in helping prepare me to serve as a pastor in the LCMS."

Advice for prospective students: "The Lord is at work in your life, forming you to be a pastor who will serve His church. Let your ultimate identity be formed by Him, resting in His grace."